Pleas from the pound

HENRY

Henry, a handsome, tailless, neutered, two-year-old, tiger-striped fellow, has swagger. Humans recognize swagger from watching John Travolta in the 1977 classic film, “Saturday Night Fever” or, currently, almost every character in the Apple+ series, “Swagger”. Other cats know it at a glance. That’s why Henry is in the shelter.

He was born into a group of cats. They weren’t feral, just numerous. Each cat had to claim his/her place. Henry managed to get, and keep, the top spot. That meant regularly taking on challenges, disrupting his home.

Eventually, Henry irritated his people. Henry came to the shelter with a resume explaining, “A nice cat who doesn’t play well with other cats.” So, Henry might enjoy being an only cat. Swagger is tough to maintain forever.

Obatala, a six-month-old pup, was named for the Yoruba mythical character who was assigned the creation of the world. Palm wine distracted that Obatala, and he was demoted to creating flawed humans instead. This innocent canine Obatala ended up with a disgustingly flawed human.

OBTALA

His owner abandoned the pup. Even more heartlessly, this owner tethered Obatala in a cold rain so he couldn’t find help or food or water or shelter. He intended for Obatala to die. In Edgar Allen Poe’s, “The Telltale Heart”, a murderer is driven insane by horrifying sounds and visions of his victim’s heart. Maybe Obatala’s owner will see his pup in nightmares.

And maybe this sweet, innocent pup will eventually forget the nightmare he’s lived, if Obatala meets someone kind.

BLACKIE CHAN

Certain cats seem to believe that myth that they have nine lives. Some of them are also very bad at counting. Blackie Chan’s previous adventures are a mystery, but the iridescently black cat had been in the middle of losing one life when he met the shelter staff. Blackie Chan had wedged himself into a house’s vent,

Now, in what’s intended to be the shelter’s completely safe cat room, Blackie Chan is showing that he’s been a pet. Still, he’s a pet with “catitude”. He likes people, but he doesn’t cuddle on command, at least not now.

That may change. Every cat lover has seen transformations. Yet, Blackie Chan really should go home with someone who appreciates, and will protect, this adventurer, as he is.

MOOSE

Moose is the big pup who disproves the myth that little dogs are always easier to live with. This 18-month-old, 86-pound pup is sweet-hearted with other dogs, walks politely on a leash and is housebroken. Moose seems to understand that he’s bigger than many of his kind, and he’s adjusted his behavior to make sure that’s not a problem.

This kindness is impressive. It’s even more impressive since Moose is still a pup. Most pups his age are rambunctious and definitely not as wise and considerate as Moose. Yet, Moose’s owner, who had every opportunity to see how special Moose is, was blind. He discarded Moose like trash.

Moose has shown that he deserves better. He has the heart of the best of lapdogs.

MILES

Some beings always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Poor 14-month-old, Belgian Shepherd – Australian Cattle Dog, Miles, has never been in the right place. And that consistently bad luck has, amazingly, been exceeded by the extremely intelligent, athletic pup’s bad timing.

Now Miles, who unfairly spent both Christmas and New Year’s in the lonely shelter, is back there, after only two months in a home. Once again, it isn’t his fault. The household experienced a change and Miles was deemed one too many things to handle.

Once again, convenience trumped someone's commitment to take care of a pet for life. Miles deserves better. He's a good boy and would be a wonderful best friend, guardian and playmate for some lucky family.