EDITION OF MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2025 [PetPowellPress] Anybody ever look through a neighborhood on-line bulletin board and ask, "How can one neighborhood have that many lost dogs and cats and so many apparently
desperate humans?"
Yeah, I just thought I'd start of Monday with an upbeat question.
OK, if you've got a solution to this situation of "Dogs and Cats Lost Right Under Our Noses", fill us in -- email [email protected].
My rescuespouse Martha painted that portrait of our longtime Cocker Spaniel Inky, the late Cocker Laureate of Texas and Poet.
I found him when he was naked from mange and running loose in Kiest Park. I mention him and his condition because sometimes over the years of "finding" dogs I've come to believe that to some humans the words "lost" and "dumped" are synonymous in their heartless attitudes of I-can't-be-bothered by vet bills and boarding the mutt/cat when we're about to go on vacation.
YOU WON'T HAVE TO HUNT
FOR THESE ADOPTABLES
We've been writing about dogs and cats in shelters for years and years at readlarrypowell.com. Sometimes they're strays. Sometimes they're surrendered. Sometimes they're born in shelters.
Thanks to the team of volunteers and staffers at Mesquite Animal Services, we have the bios based on how the
animals arrived and how they've come to behave around humans.
The story of Hazel (ID 58234757) came to us from our longtime Mesquite Animal Shelter tipster Debra Chisholm. This dog with the personality photo is listed as "bulldog." Hazel was "picked up by one of our officers on 4/2 as a stray. She weighs 45 pounds and is about 2 years old.
"She pulled on her leash, anxious to get out into the yard. I discovered why. She had to go to the potty and apparently had held it for sometime! So Hazel may be house trained.
"She thoroughly enjoyed exploring the yard and pretty much covered every square inch. She has an interesting and attractive coat. Hazel is well-mannered, calm, gentle and friendly. She had no problems with me giving her loving attention and petting. ... This precious girl would undoubtedly make someone a loving and devoted companion. Her dream forever home would include a loving family who would give her daily exercise and enrichment as well as a cushy, comfy, doggy bed and some yummy snacks. Oh and last but not least, an inside life so she can socialize and bond with her people."
Remember, cite her ID # 58234757 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected].
Same system, but a different ID number for this guy Toby -- ask about #58248229 when you email or call the shelter.
Debra says Toby is "my newest doggy friend... [came in] with one of our nice, friendly shelter officers."
Toby is about a year old and weighs 45 pounds and he's already neutered. Debra writes, "Toby has the most attractive brindle coat and according to my Dog Scanner app is a 91% Dutch Shepherd. He seems to have been nicely cared for but his people have not come looking for him."
She says he "walks very nicely on a leash. He did his business as soon as he arrived in the shelter yard. He appears to have adjusted well to shelter life, and has an outgoing, confident personality. He has a moderate activity level. Toby is playful and had so much fun chasing tennis balls around the meet and greet room. He does jump on you some and whines a bit. Those two things could be easily corrected. This friendly tail-wagging boy enjoyed being petted by me. Though the staff and volunteers have been kind to him, he longs to be in the home of loving and caring people who will provide a safe, secure and committed life for him."
And now we have Bucky (#58088922) -- same system to call or email about him.
Debra writes, "This fun-loving, high-spirited pup is Bucky, a Flat Coat Retriever, Lab/Retriever mix picked up and brought as a stray to the Mesquite Animal Shelter by one of our officers on 3/27. He weighs 33 pounds and is approximately 6-7 months old.
"He is such a playful life-of-the-party kind of guy. He is crazy about toys and balls! Bucky is fine with receiving loving attention, once he slows down that is. He is busy, busy, busy! He does jump on you quite a bit and that is normal puppy behavior, but needs to be addressed as not acceptable. He is a spunky boy with a real zest for living. He will put a smile on your face if you spend any amount of time with him. Bucky will no doubt make some person or family a wonderful companion. Obedience classes would definitely benefit this boy in helping him to understand how to live in harmony with his people. He will need lots of patience as he acclimates to his new family in learning the house rules." He'll be a good inside down, Debra say, and "would not be happy living in someone's backyard."u(See the shelter hours and location by going HERE.) Oh, and here's a Mesquite cat looking for a home. Sorry about the blur -- the Mesquite site DOESN'T BLUR~ IT FOCUSES PERFECTLY!
CONTEMPLATIONS
SOME MONDAY MEANDERING
LARRY CONFESSION: I forgot one of the reasons dogs and cats find themselves abandoned by their humans. Pregnancy. Yep, some humans apparently don't understand how fertility is not just limited to humans. I've heard of people who, after their dog or cat turns up "with litter," will defend themselves by confessing, "I told her not to get out of the yard and get herself pregnant, but she just didn't listen to me." Three important words in the animal world: SPAY AND NEUTER. You can make a positive difference in the animal's life and your life. Yep, if you can't comprehend spaying and neutering a dog or cat, ask your veterinarian how much the charge is to spay and/or neuter you -- if you know which one you need. I'm kidding and hoping some people in the Dallas/Fort Worth Pregnaplex will wise up. Some days I'm just a little more miffed when I start typing. I'm no saint, but our dogs and cats are happy and un-pressured by Mother Nature. They've demonstrated calm attitudes for years. ...
I don't want to panic anybody who's still working on the Easter Holiday, but I got a weekend email with this subject line: "Google Alert - Macy's Thanksgiving parade..." Relax, I get 'em all the time -- it's a well publicized parade year-round. ...
Ah, warm temperatures. That oughta last about another 45 minutes in Dallas/Fort Worth then go right into the Sizzle Season.
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