ReadLarryPowell.com

FERTILITY, BAD ATTITUDES AND IGNORANCE -- THREE INGREDIENTS FOR BOOMING SHELTER POPULATIONS

EXTRA PRE-NOON EDITION TUESDAY MAY 14-15, 2019 [PetPowellPress] We could post things 24 hours a day if there was some kind of legal pill that would fuel my typing fingers and keep me awake. So, for now, until the scientists catch up with my 21st century energy needs (dogs, cats, novels, blackmail notes), this Extra is what you get. We’ll do dogs first, then cats and kittens — fertile Dallas!!! — in this special edition. This was one of the scenes I snapped Tuesday morning while walking (briskly!) in Kiest Park. What's the message? It's this: I don't mind a city that's fertile enough to have a carpet of yellow flowers. That cat? That is The Senator, demonstrating that even when a cat's been neutered, he can still make those great dance moves that close the songs to fantastic applause! Thank you to The Senator for his help in promoting the spay/neuter movement and dance movements, too.
ARE YOU CRAZY? WHY AREN’T
YOU HELPING THIS HOUND
JEFF DOGSWORTHY OF DENTON?

Pardon my late comic Sam Kinison shouting tribute in the headline, but, seriously, there’s a sincere problem when a fellow like Jeff Dogsworthy can’t get to safety. 
He’s on pain meds right now but really needs surgery. And he’s in a taxpayer-financed shelter and it’s not set up to do this sort of surgery. Read on.

Our tipster, Amy Poskey, who monitors the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter needs, writes, “I’m heartbroken that Jeff Dogsworthy is still waiting for his miracle rescue. Jeff is such a sweet boy and a shelter favorite.  I mean, who doesn’t love a hound dawg???!!!”
 All that excited punctuation aide, the story is a challenge — Jeff is an under-5, 75-pound Coonhound with an anterior cruciate ligament tear. [LARRY ASIDE: You’d think a local NFL player who’s had the same thing might step up on his good ligaments and give this dog a good family home. Or maybe a newspaper reporter who fell off a curb while pursuing a source. Somebody’s got to have a place for this dog.]

Oh, yeah, you can’t just adopt him, apparently, because his injury has made him RESCUE ONLY.” He’s gotten financial pledges from Jill Sicheneder with Coonhound Companions’ Long Ears Alive Fund and the great Karen Lee of barkleyworld.com who pledges $500 and vows to help raise additional funds should Jeff’s rescue group need the money. 
Here’s who to contact to save Jeff Dogsworthy: gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com, julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com, dentonshelterdogs@yahoo.com, and/or dentonanimalservices@yahoo.com. Call the shelter 940-349-7594.
IN PAIRS! THEY’RE ARRIVING
IN PAIRS IN THE SOUTHERN CORRIDOR
Holy double BLEEP. How is it that people take two puppies, raise them to adulthood and then dump them or surrender them or “set them free”?
These are in the small, no-human-foot-traffic shelters in the I-45 corridor south of Dallas — like a minute south. Wilmer and Hutchins.
We get the info from the team of people who are trying to get more attention on these little shelters that have no public relations budget and barely enough money to employ animal control officers. 
First up we have Bailey and Benji, a couple of Spaniel/Beagle mixes who were “found in the county area” and taken to the city shelter. The bios says they need to be inside-the-home dogs — apparently they were before this misfortune trapped them in a small shelter.
Then, there are these Boxer/Hound mixes, Meghan and Mandy but, wait, that’s not all. Their sisters Mia and Mila are also there. 
Our tipster says, “We have part of their story and it's incredibly sad.  Apparently belonged to a husband and wife and were part of a litter they had. These are the two remaining pups.  We understand the husband loved these pups very much and he had been trying for some time to find a good adopter and then something quite serious happened in the family, and sadly we don't have all the details, but these pups were taken to the shelter.   They are very sweet, a little bashful in the shelter since clearly they have only been in a home environment.”
So, since there are “zero walk-in adoptors,” the best hope for all these dogs is Rescue. And, the people helping the shelters say transport can be arranged for any 501c3 rescue groups. The clock is ticking on all these animals. 
Call or text 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com. Ask to be put on the mailing list so you can see all of the many animals that never get a visit from an adopting human.
MEANWHILE IN GARLAND

FINN IS A $15 DOG

This appeal is making the rounds while Finn, about 2, neutered and vaccinated, continues to wait in the Garland Animal Shelter.
He can be rescued or adopted. And, according to our tipster, all adoptions at Garland are $15 this month. 
His bio reads, “People that volunteer and work there are begging for someone to save him.  Truly awesome dog.” He’s #A237404. Call 972-205-3570 or email rescue@garlandtx.gov.


CONTEMPLATING CATS
GET ONE AND CONTEMPLATE TOGETHER
OK, the feline population is exploding at Dallas Animal Services — Lord knows how many kittens are simply surviving to breed outside of the shelter in America’s Most Fertile City, Dallas “Always Expecting” Texas.
Check this out: At the noon hour Sunday the DAS website listed 263 dogs for adoption and EIGHTY-SEVEN CATS — Tuesday morning the site listed 249 dogs and 96 cats. NINETY-SIX CATS.
[LARRY ANGRY ASIDE: Can’t any of the free-roaming chuckleheads in this prairie boomtown say “Spay/neuter” and mean it? Heck, maybe they don’t understand spay/neuter. Here’s how it works. Wait. Seek professional help. And also ask a veterinarian about spaying and neutering your cats and dogs.]

Go to dallasanimalservices.org to see the online inventory. They’re not all kittens. For example, there is still on the list this TWELVE YEAR OLD BOY ZEUS (A1066378) — he’s at the PetSmart Every Day Adoption Center, not at the big shelter. [LARRY ASIDE: As a taxpayer, I'm embarassed by that picture. It's more like an "impression of an old cat.] I can’t take Zeus. Neither can Martha. We’re already at the responsible limit for old cats. We can, however, remind people that it’s imperative that they campaign on behalf of Dallas cats and dogs that need adoption or rescue to keep from being killed to make room for the next litter or dumped dogs and cats.
 You see here, four kittens currently waiting for help at Dallas Animal Services. Got to dallasanimalservice.org, I repeat.
[LARRY ASIDE: Why were these kittens born? Two possibilities: (1) Born to become loving companions to humans or (2) Born to be killed in a city shelter because nobody wants them and nobody cares and, as we’ve noted, this town is populated by too many “So What People.” But that’s a lecture for another day and my readlarrypowell.com Two-by-Four of Enlightenment has been rented out for the current session of the Texas Legislature. I’m kidding. But I’d really like to see the DAS cat population shrink without having to use a single needle. Can I get an “Amen!”?]
[Offer winning lotto numbers or advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing me at dallrp@aol.com.]

AN APPEAL FOR SLEEPING DOG, NAPPING CAP PHOTOS; PLUS, ANIMALS THAT NEED HELP

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2019 [PetPowellPress] On May 14, 2005, readlarrypowell.com published its first weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap.
We'd been publishing stories of desperate dogs and cats at readlarrypowell.com since the Turn of the Century, but it was time to show happy stories, happy animals, happy people.
This dog was our first spotlighted snoozer, Oliver, he lived in Evanston, Ill., with his humans, my brother Barry and his wife Shelley and the now-grown kids, Aaron and Lewis.

Barry (that's his I'm-a-lawyer mugshot) took the photo of Oliver and Shelley. The photo of Oliver piled up in the big middle of the bed was the first sleeper photo we published. 

Since that edition, we’ve published photos of thousands of sleeping dogs, napping cats, one iguana, some turtles, a snake or two, maybe even some chickens, and some Tawney Frogmouths from Australia — I can’t remember ‘em all.
See that dog in the “masthead” at the top of the page? That’s my other brother Garry’s dog Calamity — she's a rescue we managed to capture in our neighborhood after she had puppies under a neighbor's storage shed. In that photo, I was driving her to meet Garry for the first time -- the venue was Operation Kindness’ Dog Day Afternoon. That was a while back. Both brothers and both dogs are now gone, but all four of them knew how to nap — we just never got a good sleeping photo of Calamity because she was always guarding Garry with one or two eyes open. You see the photo of bright-eyed Calamity on alert while Garry  nodded off. Now and then, my sis-in-law Brenita (that’s her with Garry visiting Chicago to see Barry and Shelley) says ducks land in the soaked backyard of their property near Lake Lavon, but the quackers never nod off! 

We’ve published sleeper/napper photos from around the world and such foreign places as Florida and Arkansas. I’m kidding! I’m kidding! I love posting photos of my dogs and cats, too — but it’s really special when we get to publish photos of YOUR dogs and cats and “others."Dear Readers, please send photos and biographies of your snoozing critters to dallrp@aol.com.
 I love to show people what it means to an animal to have a home where they feel comfort, trust, love and joy and where they also have permission to sprawl, they have the OK to get onto the couch and they share their big beds with the humans. Or in this case, pile up in the recliner -- The Senator on the back, Porche Noel comfy on Texas Earl The Cheeseman, a patient Rottie boy. More critters in Contemplations.
TENANT MOVED,
LEFT THIS DOG
The appeal for help comes from Tim Meeks who explains that he has a rental property in Garland and two weeks ago the tenant “moved out…and left their dog. I was notified of this last week when lawn service went to the house. Since then I have left food and water for the dog and am trying to find a home for her. She seems to be a very sweet dog.”

Tim thinks she might be a couple of years old and has probably been an outside dog while living at this home. He says he’d rather find someone to adopt the girl rather than take this abandoned beauty to the Garland Animal Shelter. 
To offer to help, email timmeeks2002@yahoo.com or call 214-455-7398.
 [LARRY ASIDE: Isn’t this sordid abandonment  behavior — this moving and leaving the dog on her own — isn’t that still a crime in Texas?]

MEANWHILE, IN SMALLER SHELTERS
ALONG THE I-45 SOUTH CORRIDOR
You see Oliver peeking through the gate and Lindy with the big happy face. We’ve mentioned them before and they still need out of the smaller shelters south of Big D. Oliver is an Aussie Shepherd/Heeler mix, an owner-release who “enjoys riding in the car.” 
Lindy’s an Anatolian Shepherd mix who was dumped in a traditional dumping area near Wilmer and Hutchins.
To ask about them and other in the many animals monitored by the small shelter team, call or text 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.

Laura Macias, the guiding light of the small shelter “show off the animals” movement, reports, “We have some great news about one shelter that has been waiting for a long time for an ACO:  Ferris Shelter has hired a new ACO that will now be advocating for the Ferris dogs so at least for now, we will no longer be emailing dogs at the Ferris Shelter. Her name is Officer Melend and you can call dispatch at 972-842-2752 or email her to save Ferris dogs. loraleimelend@ferristexas. Check out their new Facebook page by doing a search for Ferris Animal Shelter.  Very cute dogs there now that will need your help.” 
Here’s the LINK. 
IS THIS A ROYAL CAT?
Name’s “Archie,” a moniker that now has a royal ring to it. Could have been an inspiration for a kid’s name, right, Royal Watchers?
 Archie (41486837) is 10 years old. The SPCA website says that Archie is at the Duncanville Pet Smart (2525 Wheatland Road in Wheatland Town Crossing). He’s a “blue and white tabby” who was “transferred to the SPCA from another shelter.” He’s clearly available to be transferred to a good, loving home and, yes, 10 years old is barely middle-aged in a cat that is well-cared for and beloved.
CONTEMPLATIONS

BACK TO LETTING SLEEPING DOGS LIE
AND THE NAPPING CATS HAPPILY NAP

My wonderful dog Inky knew how to sleep. This is one of my favorite photos of the rascal — he’d found a sunny spot on the back of the couch and nodded off. I miss him dramatically. Back when I was writing that first edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap, I was interviewing, Barry about his dog and, knowing how devoted I was to the Cocker Spaniel Inky, Barry (in a faux smarmy tone) said of Oliver, “Make sure you refer to him as a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. He is particularly sensitive about his breeding -- he's not just some run-of-the-mill Cocker Spaniel. He was bred for royalty." 
Of course, Inky was literary royalty, i.e., he was the Cocker Laureate of the State of Texas. He once wrote

Roses are red,
violets are blute
a Cocker’s a handsome dog
and a Cavvy’s merely cute. 


Inky was a clever boy, you know — he’d bend the rules of grammar and spelling. I think he could trace his lineage back to Romeo, the Shakespeare Family Cocker that inspires William’s big teenage romance hit. Some of my history may be incorrect.
Not all napping cats and sleeping dogs belong to someone — yet. 
For example, in 2012 we were working on a story about the Euless Trinity High School Girls Awareness Program — the foundation for the GAP Rescue that partners with Euless Animal Services — and we found this photo of a cat named Garfield who was performance napping in the Euless shelter.
Then there’s this photo of local noted animal advocate/rescuer Jean-Paul Bonnelly and two rescued dogs catching a few winks in 2012. 

ONCE AGAIN, send your sleeping dog, napping cat and/or snoozing “other” photos and bios to dallrp@aol.com. You’ll be helping others decide to give an animal a good life and a good place to nod off.
—- Offer sleeping tips by clicking on “comment” below or emailing dallrp@aol.com and send us your Sleepers/Nappers, while you’re at it. ——

DORIS DAY -- A LEGEND AND INSPIRATION

EXTRA EDITION OF MAY 13, 2019 [PetPowellPress] — When you open your usual news page and the first item you see reads something like “Hollywood legend Doris Day dead at 97” it hits your heart.
Not just for the films and the songs, but for the animals. There may never have been a more famous animal advocate than Doris Day
The Doris Day Animal Foundation’s news release said pneumonia claimed the star’s life. It has not claimed her spirit, of course — it lives on through millions animal advocates who have been inspired by her work for animals. This is an old Hollywood photo from unidentifiable online sources — but it might be a publicity shot for Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (1960).
The Foundation news release says, “Since the ‘70s, Day had focused her energies on the Doris Day Animal Foundation. Her lifelong compassion for animals compelled her to fight animal testing and to advocate for spay/neuter education and outreach programs in the U.S.  Today, her early Spay Day program had become an international event, with World Spay Day providing thousands of free or reduced-cost spay and neuter surgeries in 75 countries.  The Doris Day Animal Foundation continues to provide support to smaller rescue organizations nationwide, with a special focus on those assisting senior pets.
“Doris' passionate work on behalf of dogs, cats, horses, sea lions, raptors and other animals in need of rescue, veterinary care and adoption will not end. The Doris Day Animal Foundation is committed to continuing its work as a grant-giving organization, funding smaller animal welfare non-profits across the country. Doris’ wishes were that she have no funeral or memorial service and no grave marker.  Friends and fans wishing to remember Doris Day, are encouraged to visit www.dorisdayanimalfoundation.org."

Read the news release HERE.
 Thank you, Doris Day, for the entertainment and for the inspiration.
—- Offer opinions by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

SAVING ANIMALS, ADVISING GRANDKIDS & OTHER CONSIDERATIONS OF THE DAY

EDITION OF MONDAY, MAY 13, 2019 [PetPowellPress] With the invention of cellphone cameras and instant communication, the arrival of rainstorms reminds so many people to check on neighbors’ dogs and to keep an eye out for animals in dire situations. 
But the common threatening element in each of these situations isn’t rain, it’s the humans that claim to “own” the animals.
Somebody raises a stink and half the city says, “It’s JUST a dog, you animal nut.” There's no such thing as "just a dog." Or "only a cat." We'll explore this from a personal viewpoint.

That’s a 2009 photograph of my pal Porche Noel — it was Christmas and she’d just limped up the steps and struggled through the bars on our front porch gate to get to the daily feral cat food buffet — she ate so much, she couldn’t squeeze back out. I heard noise on the porch and went outside to find a scared dog. It took minute to calm her. She rasped when she barked and there were marks of a very tight collar having been on her neck for some time. A human did that to her. Then she escaped or was dumped. I’d still like to deliver a sincere punch to the nose of the human who did this to Porche. She got over starving and can bark without a rasp, but she's still gimpy in the right rear leg. [LARRY ASIDE: As you can see, she likes to read in bed late at night. I never get tired of writing about her or taking her picture. Feel the same way about other animals and some people.]

So, in summation, to those who chain out their dogs and “set free” their dogs and cats: I used to think the creeps were “don’t care humans,” but that’s too kind. I’m declaring a new, even lower level of cads: “The So What People.” The don’t care people look at rescue situations and move on without bothering to help. A rescuer says, “Your dog is going to get sick or hurt if you leave her staked out in the rain” and The So What People reply, “So what.”
 No heart. No heart at all.
[LARRY ASIDE: To the person who mistreated my dog instead of loving her, I hope you know you cheated yourself out of a great companion. I also hope you have never had a dog or cat sinse and that your personal "apparatus" hasn't worked since 2009.]
Look, we can’t legislate people to care about animals. But we can legislate people to wonder what the judge is going to say to them when he announces the sentence for animal abuse.

MISSING A POST!!! I bring this abuse stuff up because on Facebook Sunday I spotted an appeal for two dogs chained around the neck — links fastened by padlocks — and stuck out in the rain Saturday. One of the dogs was screaming and delivering puppies and kept moving them to try to find dry areas for them. At some point, I clicked on a link and forever lost that Facebook post. Facebook bewilders me sometimes. Maybe someone else saw the post. If you did, please send the link to me at dallrp@aol.com. Even if those dogs are high-and-dry in that yard now, and the puppies are safe (fat chance), the human needs some enlightenment. Perhaps a visit from some sincere rescuers might help.
A SUPER HERO TIE-IN AT DAS
Spotted this on the Dallas Animal Services Facebook page Sunday. Call it taking advantage of a current successful movie. A big movie. Big. Avengers Endgame until the next money-making script is ready. Here's a chance to write a script with a happy endng for Captain America. He’s a year old — ask about A1060813. DAS says he’s available. Of course, someone may have adopted him after we posted this. And, of course he was the last dog or cat available for adoption at Dallas Animal Services —- hang on. We’re checking the statistics. Ah, of course. Here's an updated count.
At the noon hour Sunday the DAS website listed 263 dogs for adoption and EIGHTY-SEVEN CATS — that’s around 60 more cats than the shelter was listing just a few weeks ago. So, outside of attractive dogs, what’s up with the cats? It’s not just the traditional kitten outburst in the nation’s most fertile city, Dallas. For example, this girl is Ophelia (A10611159), a little over a year old and in the shelter only since Saturday. Twelve-year-old Zeus (he came in on May 2 and got  lousy photo) is still in the shelter’s care — you can see #1066378 at the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center, 16821 N. Coit Rd. in Dallas.
And there’s this fantastically-faced Tortie labeled as “This CAT — ID#A1066500,” a shelter resident since May 3.
So many of the DAS cats are kittens such as A1065636, known as Geoff, about 9 weeks old, and currently in a foster home. Geoff of The Pink Nose appears to be thinking, “If I ever get out of this gloved hand, I’m going to either purr someone into submission or show them how fast a kitten can move!” Go to dallasanimalservices.org to see how to adopt or rescue these animals. And stop by the shelter at I-30 at Westmoreland to visit most of them. 
The other animals at the shelter include a 4 Guinea pigs and this White Rabbit (A1066667) — a boy. A stray rabbit, they say. Came in on May 4. 
[LARRY ASIDE: Seriously, is there such a thing as a stray white rabbit? Go ask Alice.]
THE MESQUITE SITUATION:
MANY DOGS, CATS WAITING
They’re waiting on adoption, rescue or the needle. Pass it on.

We’ve mentioned Dutchess (shelter spelling) before. We learned about her from Mesquite Animal Shelter’s volunteer biographer Judi Brown shortly after the stray dog arrived on May 2. DUTCHESS (41576033) is EIGHT YEARS OLD and an energetic, ball-chasing, friendly, affectionate, 85-pound, tail-wagging Yellow Lab Mix. She has a growth on her right eyelid, Judi says, but “it doesn’t seem to bother her.” Why wouldn’t her human come looking for her? Who knows? It’s up to some other human to make sure this dog isn’t simply killed because nobody wants her right now. Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com.
Not the only dog in the shelter, you know.
Judi also cites Beau (41610282), a Great Pyrenees/Collie mix, under 2, 73-pounds, who came to the shelter as a stray on May 6. He knows some commands, likes treats, is gentle and, she writes, “There’s nothing not to love about this sweet boy.”
Of course, they’re not all BIG dogs at Mesquite. Take for example, this handsomely cute Rat Terrier Mix, one-year-old Romeo (41605016) — surrendered on May 6 “because his owners did not have enough time for him.” [LARRY ASIDE: Gimme a friggin’ break — how much time could this dog need? My apologies for the outburst. I'm sure there can be good reasons. Maybe.] Judi writes that Romeo came in with that name. And it fits him. The 14-pound dog is “especially cuddly and gives tender kisses.”
Call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. And go to THIS LINK
to see the shelter’s many animals, including the cats. 

And I don’t know what her story is, but Annabelle (41596995) needs out.
She’s NINE YEARS OLD, spayed and house-trained. She’s in the catroom. Annabelle came in on May 4. [LARRY ASIDE: She’s not a natural shelter cat — what cat is? She might need some vet care — that’s probably why she’s at the shelter. Someone “surrendered” her to the needle. But she’s too healthy to kill. They nearly all always are too healthy to kill in ANY shelter.]
AN UPDATE ON
THE HUSKY IN THE RAIN
We mentioned this case last week. This photo was shortly after the rain stopped flooding the yard. And the story, according to advocate/rescuer Crystal Carretero’s Facebook report, is the dog is in the care of DAS now and will be available for fostering starting May 18. The note read, “This dog has been a frequent flyer at DAS and owner comes back to reclaim each time. We want to get him out and get him on our transport to Minnesota where he will never be near that awful owner again. He will go to a wonderful home and learn what a bed and loving hand means.” His Petharbor link was inactive. It was this:
 https://petharbor.com/pet.asp?uaid=DLLS.A1058344 . [LARRY ASIDE: If anyone knows what’s happening in this case, let us know by emailing me at dallrp@aol.com. Sometimes these cases are hard to track.]

CONTEMPLATIONS
ANGELS IN THE OZARKS; A GRANDPA’S ADVICE
Nobody can argue that there are cruel people in Dallas, Texas, possibly the most fertile city in North America based on the number of puppy and kitten litters each spring and the number of free-roaming SoWhatNitwits. But every now and then you think, “Did someone from Dallas drive all the way to Oklahoma or Arkansas or MISSOURI?” Take for example this over-the-weekend note that showed up thanks to a Facebook post by Kayla Conoyer who works in real estate in the Lake of the Ozarks area in Missouri. See the photo? She wrote, “My neighbor Michael Joseph Landon Hall and I rescued a herd of Pitbulls a couple of nights ago.” Yep, some jerk dumped a “herd” of Pitbulls on their road. One could barely walk. You can read the story HERE.  First, you absolutely have to salute the rescuers in this case. Secondly, I feel the need to note that I suspect that if someone set a “herd” of Pitbulls free in Dallas, the reaction wouldn’t be kindness, it would be a demonstration of the old Texas Theory of Animal Management: Got an animal problem? Let’s kill it!” So, in summation, let's say, "Thank heavens for the Angels in the Ozarks, you know?"
AND NOW A WORD ABOUT GRANDFATHERLY ADVICE — We’re referring to a story in The Dallas Morning News by one of my former colleagues. It’s a tenderly, smartly written story by the great longtime Business Section columnist Scott Burns about his granddaughter's college graduation. It has plenty of advice and helpful emotional/attitudinal information for soon-to-be-graduates of high school and college.  The author is a smart, savvy, gentleman in the best sense of the words. So here's the link. I think you'll be able to access it. CLICK HERE. That's a list that Scott posted with the story. Click on it to make it grow like a high-interest bank account.
… In the mid-1960s, I thought my graduation day in 1966 would never arrive. Then, a couple of decades later, I thought my twins’ graduation was coming way too soon. This year, fantastic granddaughter Hannah Rose is graduating on May 31. She was just born three or four days ago — it seems like. But no, she’s met the qualifications for being grown up enough to graduate from high school. And in the way things are set up in public schools today, she’ll leave high school as a college sophomore or maybe a grad student. I’m not sure how all that works. When I graduated, I was just lucky enough to be labeled “potential applicant for junior college tuition payment.” It turns out my high school didn’t have an “automatic acceptance agreement” with Harvard or Stanford or even the Northeast Texas Pine Cone Alchemy Academy. Go Golden Coneys!
—- To offer study tips or stock tips, click on ‘comment’ below or email dallrp@aol.com, especially the bona fide, surefire stock tips. —-

FIRST, THE GALVESTON NAPPING CATS AND TRASH-BARKING DOGS; THEN, A COUPLE OF PHOTOS FROM A MOM'S LIFE

For this Mother’s Day weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap we’re focusing on a darling cat and his companions in Galveston on the Texas Gulf Coast.
Some people endorse Galveston as a happy spot, a place to relax, a place to enjoy life. I cite supporting evidence: Taylor the Cat.

That’s Taylor stretched out on one of her “happy places” at the home of Raul Reyes and Linda Vaughan. They’re a couple of my former newshound colleagues at The Dallas Morning News. 
That photo of Taylor is snipped from a video Raul posted on his Facebook page with this caption: “Taylor takes about 15 naps a day.”

You can watch Taylor napping HERE. Be sure to turn your speakers up so you can hear the sweet and wonderful sleep-inducing sounds of Galveston. And you can see the “action” video of Taylor licking her chops HERE. 
Note the clipped ear -- yep, formerly feral and fixed. And, also, note the black cat Lizzie. Yep, Lizzie and Taylor — Liz Taylor. Here’s the Lizzie/Taylor story from Linda: “Taylor is the other half of Lizzie, her sister. One day last year I was walking my dog and saw 3 kittens dart down the alley. Turns out they lived under a vacant house a few blocks away. I started feeding them but soon decided it would be better for me and them to move them to my yard. They were very feral but they followed the kibbles of cat food a little each day until they arrived in my yard. Once there, I grabbed them and off to the vet’s for shots and spaying. Found a home for one kitten. The other two, Lizzie and Taylor remain here with our other cats. Also, their Mama cat traveled to our yard and now visits for food and love every day.”

Among the other cats are these two basic orange fellows. Raul writes “Harry and Larry, our own NYC Library Lions, Patience and Fortitude.”
 And in that second photo, you see the orange lads participating in cat brotherhood duty.
He also posted a photo of a moment in his day and wrote, “My navigators, Bonnie and Tripp, on this day of errands." 
Our former DMN colleague (and my former editor), the playwright John C. Davenport, saw this “navigators” photo and wrote some dialogue for the dogs: “That’s the biggest damn tree we’ve ever seen! Why aren’t you stopping?” 

While we celebrate Napping Cats and Sleeping Dogs, we know they take different approaches to life. Cats, for example, are not alarmed when noisy trash monsters roll through the neighborhood. If you’d like to see what happens in this feline/canine household in Galveston, click HERE. Raul explains, “Our mornings — every Thursday morning!” [LARRY ASIDE: Might be a lament, but I’ve chosen to use the verb “explains” though, of course, only a barking dog can truly explain why the trash truck inspires such a vigorous response.]
FYI: This is a promotional logo for Galveston. It describes the city as “Where the Texas Coast Begins.” But, as you can tell from the Raul/Linda home, Galveston is more likely “Where the Texas Cats Begin.”
[WE NEED YOUR SLUMBER PHOTOS: Send photos and bios of your slumbering dogs and cats and other critters to dallrp@aol.com and we’ll feature them in the weekend edition of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie & Napping Cats Nap. On Tuesday, we celebrate the feature’s 14th anniversary — we’ve been posting slumberphotos since May 14, 2005. Remember, your animal’s comfort and trust inspires other people to give homes to animals. Plus, you inspire insomniacs to think that they, too, can get some sleep if they can just find the right porch in Galveston.]
 

***
A MOTHER’S DAY CONTEMPLATION 


***
Like so many Baby Boomers, I didn’t get to know my parents until after they’d been through the Great Depression and World War II. Those things will leave a dent on your thought processes and heart, I suspect.
For Mother’s Day 2019, my first one since Mom died in February, I thought I’d focus on some happy moments in her life. Back in the era when Mom was having babies there was no phone video being captured in the delivery rooms. So, I’m focusing on two apparently happy photos of just married Mom from postwar Texarkana. Oh, and Pop’s in the photos, too. Both photographs were taken two years before kids began to interrupt their wedded bliss.
That first photo is from August, 1946, the month they married — that was somewhere in Texarkana. Coulda been on the Texas side. Coulda been on the Arkansas side. The back of the photo reads “John Calvin and Pearl T. Powell Aug. 1946.” I don't know who wrote that -- looks kind of like Mom's writing used to look on my report cards.
Pop had been back from infantry duty in Germany for less than a year —he’d gone ashore at Normandy in June, 1944, on the second day of the Normandy Invasion. Mom had been a telephone operator during the war. They didn’t know each other before or during the war, but they had a lot in common: Dirt poor families, Depression Era kids with no education and youthful hope for a good future. They knew how to work. Both were around before houses had TVs, before every home had a phone, before air-conditioning was the usual in cars and houses, before people could get easy loans to go to college, before — you get the drift. Compared to their kids and kids today, they were raised on the frontier of a yet-to-arrive civilization. 

That second photo represents a special moment in the first year of their marriage. “We went Christmas shopping downtown and someone took our picture. They used to do that, you know, and then sell you the picture,” Mom once told me.

So there they are — he’s 6-1, still looking a bit like the skinny poor kid who went to war. And Mom’s only a couple of inches shorter in this photo. Much shorter than Pop in the other picture. They’re Christmas shopping on Broad Street in an ultra-active, business-filled Downtown Texarkana in 1946 — looks like the Arkansas side of town with the Texas side behind them. They’re walking together, carrying gift boxes and hope for the future. Two kids — on a fresh, new postwar path in a nation still celebrating victory and trying to embrace peacetime. I’d like to thank the mystery photographer for giving us this picture of Mom and Pop so we could post it on Mother’s Day 2019, 73 years later.

I’m betting that there’s a spot in the Hereafter where Calvin and Pearl are thumbing through baby pictures and family photos. Probably sipping coffee, laughing. Might be thinking about a challenging game of dominoes. Maybe, now and then, they can hear a young voice from the past calling out, “Momma, got any more of those cookies?” Probably be my little brothers, Barry Lynn and Garry Leslie — they’re already in Mom’s and Pop’s neighborhood.
I’m quite happily still here on Earth and avoiding sweets, except for my funspouse Martha.
—— Offer motherhood opinions or child-rearing tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing dallrp@aol.com. —-

HAVING A HAND IN HELPING SOME CANTON DOGS; THE PRESSURE IN BURNS FLAT; THE GERMAN POTATO

EDITION OF FRIDAY, MAY 10, 2019 [PetPowellPress] — In the annals of animal rescue, it is quite possible that you’ll get the most eye-rolling reaction in the world whenever you mention Canton, Texas.
It’s not a unanimous vote, of course. There are people in Canton and surrounding area who work for the benefit of animals, too. Not everybody in Kaufman County is a backyard breeder aiming to get rich at Dog Alley on First Monday Trade Days.
For example, we’re going to introduce you to one of the rescuers’ via such dogs as Red, Rosie and Dallie and Punkin and some of Rosie’s puppies. All of them need a home. All of them are in safe foster care right now. We got the first tip on them from Sydney Busch, mainstay of the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake, the non-profit that operates the world’s most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City. She put us in touch with veteran foster and rescuer, Michelle Ashley who has Doggie Day Spa & Country Inn in Canton.
We’ll get to the fireplace dog and her puppies in a moment. Here’s how you can contact Michelle about adopting these dogs: Call her at 903-880-8648 or email her at mashley1973@yahoo.com. 

First, the big dog in the second photo is Red, in the 60-pounds range, and a year or two old. He might be a Chocolate Lab. Michelle wrote, “I picked him up January 31st at the Canton arena. He was very skinny & a little nervous. Adapted very well at my house did great w/ my other dogs. He does bark at my ducks, goats & horses thru the fence. He has been neutered, wormed, had all vaccines, tested negative for heartworms & started on preventative. Adoption fee is $100.” [LARRY ASIDE: If you’ve rescued an un-neutered, never-been-to-a-vet dog lately, you’ll know that fee is a “recover expenses fee because some dolt didn’t give a hoot about this dog."]

What about the dog with the puppies in front of the fireplace? That is Rosie, also picked up on January 31 at the Canton arena. And, once she got to Michelle’s, Rosie happily discovered that she’s really an indoor dog. This probably was her first litter — seven of nine survive. Three have yet to be adopted. 
Michelle writes that when she picked up Rosie, the dog “was very pregnant & starving. She had her puppies in the night of Feb 3. She is a very sweet, loving dog (likes to be w/ you & get attention). She has been spayed, wormed twice, is current on vaccinations,  heartworm negative & started on preventative. She does great with other dogs, doesn’t bother the horses or goat, but will kill a duck.” Clearly, she needs to go to a home that lets her live inside but never when the Duck Family is visiting. ($100 adoption fee.)
 As you can see, the puppies are growing up, but they’re still puppies. Two boys and a girl remain in need of homes.
Then there’s the girl Dallie — she’s six months old, spayed and current on her vaccines.

She’s a happy dog in need of more happiness and a human that she can love.


And that white dog is Punkin.

Punkin is 5 and has been in foster care with Michelle for the past 4 years — she’s about a mid-20-pounder.
Michelle writes, “She is very playful and loving, fully vetted, including spayed, on heartworm preventative and looking for the right forever home.”
Again, call Michelle at 903-880-8648 or email her at mashley1973@yahoo.com.
MEANWHILE IN BURNS FLAT
Terry Lynn Fisher, the resilient rescuer and dedicated animal protector in Burns Flat, tells us the “pound” in the Western Oklahoma town is full. She needs to empty some cages in order to take in the “emergency” animals she runs across. She’s a full up at her kind vet’s canine living quarters, too. To keep up with her efforts, email her at remembering_ oddball@yahoo.com and ask to be put on the mailing list. Also, you might ask her about helping these two dogs.
She describes Hunter as “so sweet and loving.’ He’s under 2, “well-behaved, loves to be loved on, good with other dogs and loves kids.”
 Hunter also sits for treats and he’ll shake paws with you, too. “All he needs is a loving and safe place to go.”

The other dog is Sissy. “I love this girl, Terry Lynn writes. " She is shy at first, then becomes the most loving girl ever. She is young and great with other animals and people.”
Again, get in touch with her at remembering_ oddball@yahoo.com. And in case you don’t now, Burns Flat is so far out in Western Oklahoma that it’s about 2 1/2 hours north /northwest of Wichita Falls which is about 2 hours northwest of Fort Worth. In other words, if you adopt Hunter or Sissy or any other Burns Flat dog, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know your new friend by the time you get back to the Metroplex. 
But, if you just want to donate to Terry Lynn’s animal-saving mission, the U.S. Postal Service delivers across the Texas-Oklahoma line these days.

CONTEMPLATIONS

PRIZES, PHONE CALLS AND THE GERMAN POTATO
Terry Lynn oughta get some kind of Presidential Medal for Oklahoma Rescue  It’s not like she can count on a well-organized team of rescuers to help her. Plenty of people help her find animals at peril; there aren’t that many than can help her place the animals. Oh, and, fyi, “Burns Flat” is not a reference to a devastating prairie fire. It’s a reference to U.S. Postmistress Sarah Burns and the terrain. …
It occurs to me that with the Dallas Stars out of the championship quest, the hope for a championship celebration in 2019 falls on the arms of the Texas Rangers pitching staff. It is demonstrated swing after swing that the Rangers hitters can swat the ol' pill; it is also demonstrated that the Texas pitchers can be, well, adventurous. Go Rangers, please. Otherwise, we have to endure watching the Dallas Cowboys challenge the reality of long odds. …

THIS JUST IN FROM our Eastern Seaboard Bureau Chief Andrew Fisher, a veteran TV newshound headquartered on Indian Lake in Denville, N.J. Andy reports that Wednesday he was watching the local ABC station’s evening news report “about oil still leaking from an American ship sunk by a German torpedo off the coast of Long Island during World War II.” The back story at the Bureau is the Bureau Media Manager and Spouse Annie Fisher had, “some time ago, activated the closed caption feature on our living room TV, and tonight the closed caption read that the ship had been sunk been sunk by ‘a German potato’.” As veteran newshound Andy reported in closing, “You CANNOT make this stuff up!”
—- To offer a positive thought or a potato soup recipe, click on “comment” below or email dallrp@aol.com. —

EXTRA EDITION: THE DOGSWORTHY APPEAL; PRESSING NEEDS IN MESQUITE; COFFEE, BONNIE HUNT, PERRY MASON?

EXTRA EDITION OF THURSDAY, MAY 9-FRIDAY MAY 10, 2019 [PetPowellPress] There is an old saying in journalism: “Names make news.” And that is how I am introducing you to this handsome fellow.
THE JEFF DOGSWORTHY PREDICAMENT

We get the story from Amy Poskey, the veteran volunteer tipster regarding animals in the Denton McNatt Animal Shelter. 
She writes, “This handsome love sponge is Jeff Dogsworthy and he needs our help!  Poor baby came to the shelter favoring his left, rear leg and x-rays have confirmed that he has an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear.  Jeff is currently on pain meds but he needs additional medical attention and a soft bed where he can heal.  His x-rays will be provided to the rescue who saves this loveable hound dawg.  Can anyone give this sweet boy the love and care he needs?”
 The statistics are Jeff Dogsworthy is a young adult Coonhound — he’s heartworm negative, weighs 75.1 pounds, appears to be house-trained and, in spite of his injury, walks well on a leash. 
To help save this boy, call the shelter at 940-349-7594.
Email gayla.nelsen@cityofdenton.com, Randi.Weinberg@cityofdenton.com, julien.peralta@cityofdenton.com, dentonshelterdogs@yahoo.com, and/or dentonanimalservices@yahoo.com.
[LARRY ASIDE: I can see the TV show now: Jeff Dogsworthy, Attorney at Law.]
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
ANIMALS WAITING
 AND
COOPER NEEDS AN INDOOR HOME

 “Exuberant.” There’s a word we don’t often get in an appeal for a shelter dog. But, here is “Mr. Exuberant.” His name is 'George.' And, be sure to read about Cooper, who is destined to be an “outside” dog unless someone with a smarter outlook on life rescues or adopts him
 Mesquite Animal Services, recently coping with a weather challenge that forced the evacuation of animals, is getting back to normal and we’re getting notices about the inventory from our reliable tipster, Judi Brown, the volunteer biographer.
You see three pretty cute photos of 58-pound, happy boy George (41590753), a 2-year-old Shepherd/Black Mouth Cur mix, waiting for a rescue or adoption since May 3. Judi writes, “He’s a big beautiful boy with gorgeous brown eyes. The pictures here do not do them justice as he’s a mover and a shaker! He was  enjoying his freedom running back-and-forth in the yard. My camera does not do well with action shots. He’s a very friendly, outgoing guy with an exuberant, fun loving personality. Because he is a big boy and because he is active, he would do best with an active family in a big yard. He would chase balls but didn’t stay interested very long. He wants to make friends and tries to engage you even at his window. He’s so friendly that he wiggles all over. He did do his business as soon as he got out into the yard. He went nose to nose with the other dogs in the bay wagging his tail."
Call 972–216- 6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com to tag George.
The little white dog is Scruffy (41321016), a 5- or 6-year-old Terrier/Schnauzer mix (maybe) who was given up to the shelter “because the owners were told they had too many animals.” He’s spunky, friendly, curious, alert, house-trained, has grain allergies and weighs in at 15 pounds. 

Cooper, 6- to 9-MONTHS-old and 34 pounds, has this note with his appeal: “A customer wants to adopt him Thursday. The customer made it clear that he would be exclusively a backyard dog even when he had the cone on his head with stitches. Begging for a rescue to pick him up Thursday. He becomes available to rescues at 12:15 p.m.”
 He's neutered -- ergo, the cone. His number is 41567473.

For any of these animals, call the shelter at 972-2216-6283 or email rescues@cityofmesquite.com. 
And when you go to the shelter’s online site HERE, you’ll also see that Mesquite has not escaped “kitten season” either. This is one of many of the youngsters.
And then there’s that fantastic black and white cat named Baker (41323126) —he’s just over 3 years old and is described as “LARGE”. He’s in the cat room at the shelter — not the only black and white cat, but this fabulous photo makes him look like the only one with 1970s Elvis-style sideburns. [LARRY ASIDE: Elvis? Yes. Baker might just be a hunka hunka a burnin’ love. And I realize that’s a reference about 3 generations back. Someone will have to explain “Elvis Presley” to people born since about 1990.]
CONTEMPLATIONS
WEATHER, STARS, LAWYERS
We wake to a bit of fog, a bit of chill, a bit of humidity on a Thursday morning in May in Texas and the reality is that we know it’s temporary. You can step outside for a minute and feel summer on the way. … I wish Bonnie Hunt would make more movies. Yeah, I’m a fan of Return to Me [2000] and I miss seeing her on the David Letterman show, whatever it’s titled. I keep nodding off before the broadcast — what? It’s not on any more? But … Oops! I’ve slipped a timedisk again. …. One more showbiz note: Lately I’ve have the opportunity to watch the original TV Perry Mason and the rebirth in the ‘90s. I like the original better, I think. But I also like the original movie version of Perry Mason films that starred Warren William in the 1930s. That's him with some pups. Can you tell by reading this odd jumble of contemplations that I’ve not been drinking decaf this AM, but am swigging the high-octane java? Needed the energy. Have housework ahead of me. Be kind to animals.
—- To offer opinions or rock-solid tips on coffee brands, click on ‘comment’ or email dallrp@aol.com where we’re limited to one cup of joe in the morning. —-

ON A RAINY DAY, THERE WAS CONCERN....AND PUZZLING BEHAVIOR BY HUMANS

EDITION OF THURSDAY, MAY 9, 2019 [PetPowellPress] As I began to write Wednesday morning, rain fell in what can only be described as a thunderous deluge. And almost immediately after the first rumble, I heard the sirens from a fire truck and an ambulance. Maybe a couple of each. Prayers be with them, you know?
This is a proper time to say “Thank you” to all the First Responders who risk their lives at crash scenes and flooded areas while trying to keep order on the streets of Dallas and any place it’s raining in Texas — rain’s not naturally occurring here, you know. (I kid, but it seems like that sometimes.)

Those photos? They are of former street dog Porche Noel who, as the thunderclaps arrived, moved from her usual morning slumber spot to the rug next to my desk chair — she likes to be within comfort-petting distance during storms.
Shot that second photo left-handed with the camera upside down while giving her a chin-chuck. I am her First Responder in storms and at mealtime.
WHILE MY DOG IS DRY AND PROTECTED
THERE IS CASE #1900512537
Maria Isabel posted this situation on Facebook during the Wednesday deluge. The appeal for help had come from Sara Martinez.
Maria’s text read, “Dog is in distress, tethered and crying since 3am in the rain and thunder, tether is so tight he can’t sit down or reach water. On phone with DAS right now, case code #1900512537.”

Here’s the FACEBOOK LINK.
[LARRY ASIDE: This isn't anything new in Dallas. Advocates have been trying to get safety-for-animals city ordinances for a while. I don’t know what will happen in this case or in any of the hundreds of other cases of “outdoor dogs” in Dallas, Texas. I know that the Texas Humane Legislation Network is — at this very moment — trying to convince the Texas Legislature to outlaw such tethering of dogs. I also know that people who do this to a dog are not worthy of living on the same planet with a dog. There’s no excuse for chaining a dog in a storm that you won’t stand out in though, frankly, I’m doubting that you have, as the old saying goes, enough sense to come in out of the rain.]
SMALL SHELTER POPULATION GROWS
IN THE I-45 CORRIDOR SOUTH OF DALLAS
The team that monitors the animal population in the small shelters in Wilmer, Hutchins and Ferris reports that new animals have arrived. 
The happy dog is Lindy, a young Anatolian Shepherd, who, according to the small shelter protectors, was “found out on her own in an area known for where people dump dogs. How anyone could have left this sweet beautiful smiling face, we are completely clueless.”

There’s the distinct face of Mila, a mix of some sort.
And of course, we have the traditional photo of dogs aching to get out of the “cell” and into someone’s heart and home. 

Call or text 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com to offer to help rescue these great dogs in low-traffic shelters.
These shelters aren’t really set up to promote the animals — they depend on the kindness of big-hearted strangers to function as the contract point.
You can see more of the animals and read more of the stories by going HERE.
NOW AND THEN
A CAT NEEDS TO MOVE 

We got the tip on this cat from Laura Macias, one of the small shelter animal advocates. But Koneko-Chan is not in a small shelter. She’s in a home, but needs to be in a different home.
The year old cat (I think the photo has taken some of her gray out) has “big pretty green eyes” and she “loves to play and her favorite thing is to chase string. She will ask to play more by coming up and tapping you with her paw.”
How did this “sleep cuddle kitty,” as she’s described, come to need a new home? Her human, who lives in Waxahachie, sought help from Laura. The story is that Amanda “recently had family members move in that are highly allergic to kitties and she feels it would be better for Koneko-Chan if she had a home that could give her love and attention and where she could be in the same room with the family members she will love.”

That’s the story. To audition to adopt this “sweetest of the sweet” cat, call 214-270-9599 or email  amandasullivan214@gmail.com.
PLANNING AHEAD FOR SATURDAY?

A CLINIC OUT AT THE LAKE

From 10 a.m. until noon Saturday, there’s a low-cost clinic scheduled at the Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake Spay/Neuter Clinic in Gun Barrel City. 
As you know, the Friends operate, so to speak, the world's most successful spay/neuter clinic at Gun Barrel City.
Among the non-surgical opportunities: “Vaccinations, microchipping, heartworm testing, feline leuk testing and fecal exams.”
 It is quite possible that your animal will get petted and adored. Read about the friends of the animals online at friendsoftheanimals.org or visit the Friends on Facebook HERE.
MEANWHILE IN EVERMAN

You remember that earlier in the week we mentioned 8-month Everman Shelter resident Lucas as needing to be adopted or rescued ASAP.
On Wednesday we got another note from Heather Harrison about the pressure at the shelter. She wrote, “Everman, Texas, Shelter is full and needs to make space.   They are begging for rescue assistance in getting dogs to safety.”

We have some of the photos of the dogs.

And here are the bios provided by Heather. 


The roster of “Need Out Dogs”:


“Brian - 7yr old, male Lab mix.  Fully Vetted.  
Very thin.  Dog selective.   (Been at shelter 6 months!)

“Barkley -- 2yr old, male Pitbull.  Fully Vetted.  
Sweet guy that loves attention.

“Sherman -- 3yr old, male Pitbull.  
Handsome guy that loves to explore! 
Very curious of his surroundings. Vaccinated, Heartworm positive.

“Maggie -- 8yr old, female Black lab mix.  
Sweet girl that just wants to explore!
Hates being at the shelter.  Wants a yard to run in.  Fully vetted.


“Riley -- 1yr old, female Lab mix.  
Sweet, outgoing girl that loves everyone.  
Dog friendly.  Fully vetted.”

To volunteer to help save these dogs, email Heather at NICKALE7@yahoo.com.


HOW ABOUT THIS PHOTO?

In the past few years — ever since Dallas City Hall started paying attention to Dallas Animal Services’ difficult work in the field and at the shelter —- the photography has gotten better. [LARRY ASIDE: With the exception of incoming cats posed in plastic containers for the online www.dallasanimalservices.org site. But that’ll change -- surely.]

I don’t know Nathan Hunsinger, but he sure captured a fantastic photo of Anastasia (A1062405). It was posted on the DAS Facebook page in the noon hour Wednesday.

Anastasia is a Pittie mix, about 3 years old, and she’s been in the shelter since March 27 — MORE THAN A MONTH, and, yet, still available and friendly. (LARRY ASIDE: There was a time when any animal in the shelter for that long was being held as evidence in a felony cruelty or drug case! I’m not exaggerating too much.)

Visit Anastasia at the shelter at I-30 and Westmoreland. Call the shelter at 214-670-6800 and ask about her by number.
More photos? 
Sometimes kittens might need some careful handling — or two-hand comforting? That orange kitten is Bari (A1060378), about 9 weeks old and, like many DAS kittens, in a foster home. Bari came to the shelter on March 27. Email DASFoster@dallascityhall.com.

And once again we’ll cite 12-year-old Zeus (A1066378), in DAS care since May 2 but available for personal meetings and cuddling at the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center, 16821 N. Coit Road in Dallas (Call 972-381-1588, ext. 5. [LARRY ASIDE: Somebody adopt him and take a better photo so we can tell the happy story with a happy cat picture.]
A HOUSTON FOLLOWUP

Remember yesterday’s report about the dog shot twice and the dog that wouldn’t leave his side in Houston?
 This update was posted on Hilarie Rogers’ very busy rescue Facebook page. It reads, “This innocent dog was shot twice with a BB gun pellet in his shoulder and behind. However, the worse part is that he was run over and he has a dislocated back leg, and broken front leg. More likely, he was laying wounded and someone hit him. The Good Samaritan who saw them — he pulled him from the street to the driveway's parking lot. The loyal female friend, was crying at the vet, so they kept them together. Please donate and make a note for the shot pittie and his friend.” Donations would go to Adore Houston, the rescue group that is taking care of these beautiful dogs. Go to adorehouston.org. And here’s a VIDEO of the dogs getting accustomed to being treated by loving hands instead of dodging the world’s jerks.

CONTEMPLATIONS

FIRST RESPONDERS, TEXAS DRIVERS, THE CUP
The thank-you for skilled First Responders is from the heart. I’ve been out there — both as a reporter and as an “ambulance attendant” in the mid-‘60s when all you needed was a Boy Scout First Aid Merit Badge. Trust me, today’s First Responders give you better odds! 
They can do more than lift and load. ... For those of you reading this who have never visited Texas during a spring storm, you should know that Texas drivers (particularly those in Dallas) are notoriously bad in ice and snow, but they are REALLY treacherous in rain. Of course, we don’t know how many of those bad drivers in Dallas have come from California or New York or Detroit or New Orleans. So, while we’re mentioning First Responders, we'll also thank the First Litigators who know how to seek justice. ... I was sitting here at my desk typing Wednesday morning and suddenly realized that I’ve never seen an episode of Game of Thrones, but I am aware of issues that have arisen. For example, around 10 a.m. Wednesday as I was filming a one-man production of Game of Scones, I realized someone from craft services had left a coffee cup on my mousepad while the hairdresser were working on my beard. And now we have to reshoot the scene. Or not. Morning dragonbreath may remove that cup.
—- To offer opinions of cruel people or tips for their legal treatment, click on “comment” below or email dallrp@aol.com —-

PROTECTING ANIMALS -- PERSONAL AND POLITICAL IN THE LONE STAR STATE

EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 2019 [PetPowellPress] — Let’s focus on some rescue efforts. For example, there's a dog who was shot in Houston. But, maybe you can find a reason to smile, maybe you’ll find inspiration — or maybe you’ll find a reason to support political efforts to put the bad guys in animal cases so deep in the slammer that all they can do is think about what they’ve done

REMEMBER THIS GUY FROM TUESDAY AM? 

We featured his photo in Tuesday’s edition. The latest news is this guy is now a “former Dallas Animal Services dog.” The folks at Mazie's Mission tell us they are “working on some possible foster applications we hope work out.” Remember, Mazie’s Mission always needs fosters, volunteers, adoptors, donors — whatever you need to help animals live happy lives in happy homes. Click on maziesmission.org to see how to join in on the mission.
REMEMBER THIS GUY FROM APRIL 30?
Holy misery, is that not the saddest face on a shelter bed? Remember the note Hilarie Rogers posted? “Owner surrendered and on EU list for this morning at Harris County.” 
Agony. What happened?
He was rescued by Lisa Woods Holub and is now the topic of a Facebook page — you can follow him on the Benny the Bulldog Holub Facebook page.
The latest note on Benny is that he “will be i the ‘cone of shame’ for a while longer.” He’s having neuter surgery healing complications, but they ought to work out pretty well. Read all about him at this Facebook page HERE. Lisa wrote of Benny on Tuesday: “Still shy and scared but making progress. He did wag his tail today when I got home!”

ONE MORE HILARIE ROGERS NOTE
When I went to Hilarie’s Facebook page Tuesday afternoon, I arrived just minutes after this photo had been posted with the explanation that some “POS” — I think a mature audience will know what that is —- had shot the brown dog and the black dog had stayed with the wounded girl.

Minutes later there was an update that said, “Urgent Help Needed!!! Houston, SW, Beechnut and Cook, Storage facility in the corner! 911 Pit shot by a POS, female friend won't leave. A friend called HPD. POS caught. Dog laying wounded needs help ASAP. Cook and Beechnut!! Help! Help!! Help!!!”

Then, just after that, there were these updates: 
 "Lety Amada Amaya is on her way to the vet clinic. Dog has two shots on his shoulder. Please call your donations to ADORE Houston or the vet clinic.
"UPDATE: Adore Houston (https://www.adorehouston.org) is taking both dogs. Transporting to Central Houston Animal Hospital - 1638 Westheimer. Pledges and donations can be called for vetting and gun shot surgery.”
And here’s a video of the rescue and of the transport. [LARRY ASIDE: What you see is the concern of one dog for another. And people rushing to help. And what you also see is the aftermath of some horrifying behavior by a human being. Two human beings, maybe. One with a gun and a willingness to pull the trigger; the other with two dogs that were not properly restrained. Just when I think Dallas has cornered the market on jerks, I see this Houston situation. Might be someone who moved from Dallas, I guess.]
THE LEGISLATURE IS ASKED
TO PROTECT TEXAS ANIMALS:
YOU CHANCE TO HELP
Animal Rights Activist Christina P. Thompson sent us a important note about the Texas Legislature’s work for animal.
Here’s the text: “ATTN, DALLAS: Do you or someone you know live in this area? TX dogs NEED their help!

“Our basic shelter bills, SB 295 and HB 940 (which will define adequate shelter, protect dogs from chains, and eliminate the 24 hour warning period for saving them) are both up for a vote with the Calendars Committee. Why do we need your help? Because your House Representative is a member of this committee and the more of her constituents who voice their approval of this bill, the more likely she will be to vote YES to giving dogs basic shelter. Please either call her office at the number below or go to thln.org/house to send her an email telling her #DogsDeserveShelter. We need all the help we can get!”

As you know, you can go to thln.org and see how to get involved in all aspects of getting the Texas Legislature to protect animals and prosecute villains.
CONTEMPLATIONS
DALLAS DOGS & CATS: POLITICS; A SALUTE TO TEACHERS
There are older cats in the crowd of youngsters at the Dallas Animal Services Shelter and Adoption Center. As of Tuesday afternoon the shelter listed 252 dogs. We’re used to seeing that many. But just a few weeks ago there were under 25 cats in the care of DAS. Tuesday? SEVENTY-THREE CATS — most of them in the kitten “weeks-old” age grouping. The older ones include these two unflatteringly photographed older cats —- seven-year-old Ted and 12-year-old Zeus. Then there’s a boy named Maizee. He’s a neutered fellow. Orange and white. And he’s listed as “about 6 years old.” He came into the shelter on Monday and, like Zeus and Ted, is on display at the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center, 16821 N. Coit Rd. in Dallas. Go see them there or contact the shelter at 214-670-6800 and use Maizee’s ID number, A1066843. 
In the meantime, that beautiful dog is Teddy, about EIGHT YEARS OLD and in a DAS foster home. Somehow he wound up in the city’s shelter on April 22. Teddy is A0676733. Email DASFoster@ dallascityhall.com or call the shelter. Same number as the cats’. [LARRY ASIDE: I think I’ve become more attuned to the age of shelter animals because ol’ dogs and cats used to be puppies and kittens and they’ve all grown up to understand humans better than humans understand humans. You hardly ever hear a dog or cat say, "I just don't understand people." And they’re more forgiving than humans.] … Anybody want to comment on the City of Dallas municipal election results? Or do you just want to say congratulations to Fort Worth for re-electing Mayor Betsy? …
You know, of course, that this is National Teachers Week. My schoolteachers — from elementary school through two years of junior college — were magnificent. I hope I never embarrassed any of ‘em. I’ve had the opportunities. Here’s an event that may have some criminals' ex-teachers shaking their heads or saying, "I'm not surprised." How stupid are crooks who try to back a pickup into a 7-Eleven so they can try to lift an ATM into the bed of the truck? Anybody else see that video of the Duncanville attempt on NBC5? Failing grade for those crooks. Not just at the scene of the crime, but at life. Still time to change, fellas. Maybe.
—- Offer teacher praise or stock tips by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing dallrp@aol.com —-

A TUESDAY ARRAY THAT TOUCHES ON ANIMALS, FIENDS (YES 'FIENDS'), GOLF AND A BITING EXPLANATION OF A TECHNOTYPO

EDITION OF TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019 [PetPowell- Press] We’re going to look at animals in the Small-Shelter Corridor south of Dallas on I-45, a Mesquite ol’ girl, a mangy Dallas dog and other notes today. Even some golf.
 We’ve opened with a photograph that's cute but easily despised. Cute because Oliver, an Aussie Shepherd/Heeler Mix, is cute in the photo and knows he belongs with people.
But the photo is despised because it shows a happy dog shoving his big nose through the gate on a small shelter where foot traffic is as rare as a rainstorm in August -- it could mean curtains for Oliver.
Who in his/her right mind doesn’t despise the fact that animals wind up on the clock in shelters in Texas. We’re a kinder state than that, surely. Readlarrypowell.com officially rejects the traditional Texas Theory of Animal Management: “Got an animal problem? Let’s kill it.”
 Most of the time animals aren’t killed because of an animal problem; they’re killed because of a people problem. Help me off this soapbox. I’ve got to write about a mangy dog who needs a break in Dallas RIGHT NOW.
This guy (A1066310) is at Dallas Animal Services and Mazie’s Mission is trying to save the 55-pound, mange-stricken dog but needs a foster. The story? “He has demodex mange, is heartworm positive and needs an angel right now or he will be leaving this earth,” according to the email we got from our animal-advocate pal Leighann Hayden. To offer to foster this tough case of a loveable dog done bad by humans, email vet-care@maziesmission.org.

As of about 3:30 p.m. Monday, DAS was listing 252 dogs, 51 cats, six Guinea Pigs and a Rabbit on the “adoptable pets” site at www.dallasanimalservices.org. Heck, yeah, the city shelter buy euthanasia juice in bulk. DAS is working on a 90 percent live release stat, but, honestly, who is going to be happy killing 10 percent of 310 animals?
MEANWHILE IN EVERMAN

Lucas may look familiar to you. We’ve mentioned him before. I had to be reminded by Heather Harrison, the rescuer/ advocate who has been trying to find a home for him since she met him in the shelter -- oh, good grief -- EIGHT MONTHS AGO.
He’s a 2-year-old Hound/Lab mix who is “a sweet playful guy who loves people.” He’s also “great with other dogs.” He’s vaccinated and heartworm negative but has a skin allergy. Heather says Apoquel has “helped greatly.” And, she says, “I've paid for him to start on Apoquel and I supply the shelter with food for him in case the allergy is food related.”

To help Lucas live a long and happy life, get in touch with Heather at NICKALE7@YAHOO.COM.
LET’S GO TO THE SMALL SHELTERS
IN THE I-45 CORRIDOR SOUTH OF BIG D
Yes, Oliver, the first dog, is one of the small shelter dogs — the small shelters are in the towns of Wilmer, Hutchins and Ferris. There is a team of rescuers who try to get more eyes on the animals that are in those shelters and waiting for the needle. They’ve decided not to say which shelter the animals are in, just to tell people to get in touch with the contact point and they’ll help you rescue or adopt the dog. These are the ways to rescue these small-shelter, no foot-traffic, might-as-well-be-hiding in Carlsbad Cavern dogs: Call or text 214-949-2726 or email cat_girl_71@yahoo.com.
 Oliver is an owner-release, surrendered “by someone who couldn’t care for him. He desperately needs YOU,” the note reads and adds, “Oliver enjoys riding in the car.” See his photos in the opening.
These photos (above in this section an right) are of Kira and her family, the kids Oreo and Toffee. They were “found out” roaming, probably dumped altogether. The note reads, “It is so fortunate that she was found, but we wonder, too, if there were more puppies of there truly were only two.”
[LARRY ASIDE: We can definitely say that evidence shows there are three cute dogs and, somewhere, a roaming creepy jackass with an ice-cold heart. Pardon my entirely appropriate French.]
We’ll also note that the boy dog Connor (the reddish and white Pittie mix) and girl dog Callie (possibly a Boxer/Texas Blue Lacy Mix) are well- socialized an adore each other. They may be 2 years old. But they were “owner-release by someone unable to care for them.”
Jax, the German Shepherd, was a stray. “seems to be a young guy; just so much wants to be love.”

Then there are these two pals — Bailey and Benji, possibly Corgi/Spaniel mixes. Who knows? Now, there’s some editorializing in their bio, but, what can it hurt to note that dogs don’t need to be roughly handled in most cases? The bio reads, “They are very bashful and were caught by county officers, which is not the best thing - we've seen many of these dogs traumatized after being drug along on catchpoles …We do not know if this is why these cuties are scared but we feel so very bad for them. … They appear to be brothers that love each other. It would be great if they could go to a foster so someone can help them in a home environment.
There are many more of these animals on an email that you can read by clicking HERE.
Don’t NOT CLICK — failure to look may keep you from finding the love of your life.

SEE THE SPCA ANIMALS
ON THE WEBSITE ONCE AGAIN
Yeah, the SPCA’s adoptable animals were not quite computer-ready in the earlier days of May — the display was being recomputered (that’s not a word, but you get the drift). Now you can go to spca.org and click on adopt and see these adorable adoptables.

That cat is Magnum Meow (41477122), a neutered, 2-year-old orange fellow who is described as “medium” in size though he is apparently magnum in meow.

 In a nod to current news, we’re citing the Pittie girl Duchess (41469936), in honor of the Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and the Little Royal boy born Monday. The Dallas Duchess is a 5-year-old Earhound who is spayed and loves belly rubs. Like many members of the Royal Family, she is described as “sweet, snuggly, friendly and playful.” [LARRY ASIDE: There’s goes my invitation to Buckingham Palace to visit the Queen’s Corgis.] Duchess, by the way, is available for trial runs — just to see if she likes you and you like her enough to move in together. Email foster@spca.org.
CONTEMPLATIONS
ANGEL ADOPTED AND A ‘BITING’ COMMENT;

BLOCKING DEVILISH BEHAVIOR;

A FOSTER IS BETTER THAN PAR
ITEM A: We’ve repeatedly mentioned that 8- or 9-year-old Shepherd mix Angel was on the clock in the Mesquite Animal Shelter. Then, came the big flood and a number of animals were moved to other facilities for safety sake. Our Mesquite volunteer shelter biographer Judi Brown was enamored of Angel and even pledged money to help save the lop-eared ol’ girl. When we asked Judi about Angel’s fate, she quickly got with the volunteer grapevine an reported that one of her fellow volunteers “got back with me to let me know Angel was adopted. Now, let’s pray she wasn’t adopted to be a backyard dog!” Readlarrypowell.com agrees and wants to pray that Angel is watching TV on a comfy couch and enjoying all the benefits of living in a home full of love. 

We have one more note about Mesquite. Judy was "talk texting" us about how volunteers had teamed up to help the Mesquite animals. When it arrived at readlarrypowell.com, the message read, “We have have volunteers coming in and biting all the dogs.” In the style of all good reporters, I asked the follow-up question, “Volunteers are BITING all the dogs?” And Judy replied, “I talk text and frequently this stupid phone changes things. I’m sorry I did not see this. Biting=bathing.” Makes me want to hug every volunteer! Biting a dog is easy, but bathing a dog takes some determination. [LARRY ASIDE: Special thanks to Judi for letting me report on this. I wanted a good chuckle and some positive admiration on thee record before we got to this next item.]
ITEM B: The headline in The Dallas Morning News was enough to really anger me to the point of…well, I don’t know what. Here it is: “Dallas man drowned his cat after she clawed his tattoo during a bath, police say.” The story is HERE. And among the conditions of his $5,000 bond, the DMN says, is this restriction: He is not allowed to have pets. 
So that brings us to House Bill 3729, being considered in the current Texas Legislature session. (It may be stalling in committee, but maybe it can gain momentum if enough decent humans call their state reps.) HB 3729, proposed by GOP Rep. Matt Shaheen of District 66 (West Plano & North Dallas), would make it a “criminal offense” when an “animal is possessed” by a person who “has been previously convicted of an offense involving animal cruelty.” You can ask how to help promote this bill by going to the Texas Humane Legislation Network site at thln.org.
The jerk in Dallas who drowned his cat did not inspire HB 3729, but he sure appears to be the kind of person who fits its intention. Can I get an “Amen”?
Protecting animals is surely a non-partisan, united goal in the Lone Star State. Surely.

ITEM 3: We’ve often mentioned the great foster Stacey McCool, generally helping Paws In The City animals. She’s also a golfer — when she took a swing on Saturday it was a case of “May the 4th be with your golf ball.” 
She used a driver and whapped the dimpled pill toward the green where it landed but didn’t stop. It rolled uphill and into the cup at the back of the green, 136 yards away from the tee. Skill all the way. Of course, “Ace” McCool posted a Facebook entry about this triumph at Luna Vista Golf Club. And our theory is this hole-in-one “shows that good things happen when you’re a good animal person.” Ace agrees, “Being good to animals does bring ‘good juju.’”

—- Offer golf tips, foster tips or tips for Texas Legislators by clicking on ‘comment’ below or emailing allrp@aol.com. —-