Dogs, Cats, Cooking & CONTEMPLATIONS of A Possible New Year's Resolution

EDITION OF FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2024 [PetPowellPress] Time's flying in December and it doesn't need a team of reindeers.
I know we're a little early for New Year's Resolutions, but I'm starting this one early. We'll get to it in Contemplations. Let me just say right away that my dogs agree with me and they hate my cooking, too. My dogs leave the kitchen side of the house if I turn the oven on.  More later. s
A NOTE ABOUT THE WAY
THINGS MAGICALLY APPEAR
This week the inbox has received a number of notes about donations to rescues and shelters and availability of animals and opportunities to help them.... One of our favorite places is the East Lake Pet Orphanage at 10101 E. Northwest Highway in Dallas.
It's been a fixture in the pro-animal world since 2001. And, as of this writing, the adoption fees at ELPO are half-price for pets 8 months and older.
You see that picture of a big load of puppies? It came to us with the "headline" reading: "LOOK WHAT JUST ARRIVED IN THE LOBBY!" [LARRY ASIDE: That's the kind of "arrival" that (a) would make me happy but (b) drive me nuts! When they arrive one or two at a time on the front porch, it's challenging enough!]
It's appropriate, of course, to use these surprise pups as an example of why a Pet Orphanage might need some extra donations.
You can see these puppies (if their cuteness hasn't inspired adoptors already) by going to the East Lake Pet Orphanage Site HERE.
Ah, but that Lobby Delivery of puppies is not all you can find at ELPO. I went to the online site and clicked on the "Pigs, Pocket Pets" button and found myself falling for this distinct fellow, listed as a "Skinny Pig." Chestnut's bio reads that "he is the newest baby 'Skinny Pig', aka, a hairless breed of guinea pig, here at ELP. He is ready for a home." Click HERE to see the available dogs, cats, skinny pigs and other critters ELPO is helping.
[LARRY ASIDE: I'd adopt Chestnut (click on his photo to make his elegance grow) but I know that all I'd do day after day would be stare into that wonderful face and discuss sports and the latest movies and books with him. Is that not a fascinating face! His full-facial beard works better on him than mine does on me and I've had mine since 1971!]
A LITTLE DOG NEEDS
SOME TEMPORARY HELP...
We got the tip on this "temporary foster" need from the great Sydney Busch of Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake.
The bottom line is this: "Need  a temporary foster ( until after Dec 16th) for a 4-month-old puppy who is blind in one eye and partially deaf. Her name is Sylvie and I have attached her picture! Anyone who can help out, can call (972) 571-8833."
This 12-pound puppy's foster family has encountered an unexpected family emergency and will need to be elsewhere until after the 16th, we're told. [LARRY ASIDE: Help the dog and you'll be helping the family, too.]
IT MUST BE 'FAMILY WEEK'
AT THE MESQUITE SHELTER
In our previous edition we cited three canine siblings who are under the care of the Mesquite Animal Shelter. Those pups are JoJo the boy and his sisters Holly and Molly.
Now, a day later we learn from Mesquite volunteer animal biographer Judi Brown that siblings Glamour and Glimmer are now available for adoption! (Ask about donating $10 to Toys for Tots and getting the "sweetheart dog" for no fee.)
These pups are described as "Australian Kelpie/Brazilian Terrier??)=CUTE sweet puppy behaviors, including puppy breath/lively, and playful..."
"Glimmer’s eyes will draw you in to her and then you’ll be in love! There’s a lot to love about this pup! She is a 6-month-old, 23-pound pound mixed breed," Judi wrote, then added, "The shelter has her listed as Siberian Husky probably due to her eyes and my Dog Scanner suggests Australian Kelpie/Brazilian Terrier. She came in with her sibling that I named Glamour. She has white irises and hazel pupils with adorable ears. She is amazingly well-mannered for a puppy her age. That doesn’t mean she’s not real frisky and playful, but she does want to please. She does know the sit command and she really walks well on a leash. She’s happy, excitable, friendly, affectionate, and very sweet. She gives kisses. She wants to be close to her human. She was friendly with other dogs. If you have an active household Glimmer would fit right in. She would most likely do well with children. She wants to be an inside dog so she can cuddle on blankets or in her own bed next to you during family time."
Cite Glimmer's #57367003 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]. Same system for asking the shelter about Glamour (#57366991).
Six-month-old Glamour weighs in at 21 pounds. They arrived on Nov. 30 and are available for adoption.
Judi writes, "The shelter lists her as a Siberian Husky probably due to her eyes which are definitely captivating. My Dog Scanner said she’s mostly Australian Kelpie. Whatever she is, she’s adorable! Although she has puppy behaviors--very frisky, playful, and alert--she is remarkably well behaved. She sits for treats. She’s highly motivated by treats. She comes to you when you call her. She even has a cute little mannerism where she puts up her paw. You’d have to see it to see how cute it is. She gives kisses. She walks very well on a leash. She didn’t have a problem meeting other dogs ... She wants to be an inside dog. She’ll even watch soap operas with you, but she prefers Animal Planet. She would do well with an active family with children."
And there you have it, the stories of Glimmer and Glamour, two available pups from Mesquite. Just click on this "Animals in the Shelter" link to see more Mesquite animals.
CONTEMPLATIONS
THE COOKING THE DOGS, THE KIDS
So, in the opening paragraphs I mentioned my official first New Year's Resolution. It was inspired by my own attempts to cook a meal. And I'm modeling the resolution on the vow of peace created by the legendary Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce when he ended the tribe's war with the United States. His peace treaty with American forces included this vow: "I will fight no more forever." Thus, "I will cook no more forever." War is ugly and so is my cooking. Cats and dogs walk away from it -- my kids tell childhood tales of my culinary failures. I will cook no more forever. ....
How mellow am I this morning? Got my robot musical provider playing Arlo Guthrie songs. I recommend his version of Steve Goodman's 1971 picture-painting song about the railroad, The City of New Orleans. "This train's got the disappearin' railroad blues...." Was that a spot-on prediction or what!?
... This is my Junior Office Cat Stevie Ray Treeboy taking it easy on a cat comforter -- he knows I'd NEVER try to cook for the cats. They aren't like dogs. They won't, as the dog saying goes, "eat just about anything you put on the plate."
Can you get much more literary than being able to work lousy cooking and a patient cat into one paragraph? Danged near Dickensian, ain't it.
-- OFFER SUREFIRE RECIPES or CAUTIONS by clicking on 'comment' below or by e-mailing [email protected] and put "DROP THAT FORK AND STEP AWAY FROM THE STOVE" in the subject line. ---