EDITION OF WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2022 [PetPowellPress] I’m writing this on May 3 which, as some of you may know, has been 
World Press Freedom Day since the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed it in 1993. If you don’t think Freedom of the Press is important, call up somebody in Moscow and ask ‘em what the print and broadcast outlets there are saying about that war with Ukraine and why it’s being fought.
For those of you who want Freedom of the Press to be a universal practice, Holiday Insights reminds us that Wednesday is Star Wars Day — May the 4th be with you. May free and responsible press be with us every day.
A CAT WHO HAS AN
UNDERSTANDING HOME
Nearly every day we post photos of animals who don’t have homes. This is a photograph of an animal who has a home. This 
is Stevie Ray Treeboy — that’s his official name. He was rescued at about the age of 5 weeks from clinging to a flimsy mimosa branch in Oak Cliff in Dallas. That was in 2019. Since then, as you can probably tell in the photo, he has developed a fascination with 
ballet and exercises for le danse whenever he finds an open spot on the floor. In the background you can see that Martha has slipped out of her ballet toe shoes for the moment and given the spotlight to Stevie Ray. Yes, he is adorable and, no, he is uncomfortable in tights. Here he was performing a scene as M. Chat Détendu (Mr. Relaxed Cat) from Le Ballet du Beau Chat (The Ballet of The Handsome Cat.) It’s world-famous. Another reason to adopt a cat, along with they have great fantasy lives. That's his "sincere" pose on the right. [LARRY ASIDE: You don’t have to wait until a kitten or cat shows up dangling from a mimosa branch. Just go to a shelter or a rescue group and find a feline friend.]
MEANWHILE IN MESQUITE,
ROCKET, OTHER DOGS, CATS
Mesquite Animal Services volunteer dog biographer Debra Chisholm sent us this note and these photos —that’s Rocket, a year-old, 44-pound, neutered “mixed-breed” pup who arrived as a stray on Feb. 24. That makes him “one of our long-term dogs,” Debra says.
In his bio Debra writes, “This attractive fellow has a beautiful coat and striking eyes. I feel he has been passed over because he is 
so high-energy in his kennel. Actually he is high energy out of his kennel as well. Rocket Man needs to be with a person or family who understands that young pups have lots of energy--some more than others--and need to be worked with.
“Rocket needs daily exercise, training and lots of interaction and play time. The reward for this commitment will be a devoted and loving companion. He loves treats and takes them gently. He is friendly, loving and likes attention. Rocket will jump on you and that will need to be worked on. In the shelter yard he runs, leaps, and bounds around the yard. Fetching is a fave activity of his. He will need sturdy toys and doggie things to chew on. … He has such potential and he has been in a kennel in a city shelter for too long. Mesquite Shelter is extremely overcrowded and kennel space is desperately needed.”
To ask about Rocket, use his shelter ID 49660028 when you call the shelter at 972-216-6283 or email [email protected]
In her bio of Georgia, Debra describes this “real sweetheart” mixed-breed as a “stocky low-rider.” Yep, short dog, She came in as a stray on April 28. She’s about 4, weighs 61 pounds, isn’t spayed and, Debra writes, “obviously been 
used for breeding — perhaps even her sole purpose for her owners. … This is one well-mannered, calm and gentle girl with a low-key and mellow personality. She wasn't interested in treats. Georgia was so preoccupied with investigating the yard that she didn't seem interested in interacting with me. However, when I did get her attention, she was friendly. This is a girl who deserves to no longer be a puppy-making machine and to live out the rest of her life in the home of owners who will cherish and love on her.”
Georgia is #50068436 — use that ID when you email [email protected] or call 972-216-6283.
And how is that for an action shot?
Debra caught Blossom in a really active moment in the exercise yard at Mesquite. She says Blossom is a “Terrier mix with an attractive brindle coat and perky ears …” Came in as a stray on the 28th. Weighs 49 pounds, probably 2 1/2 years old and isn’t spayed.
Debra writes, “She is delightful youngster with a spunky manner. She is active and lively and has a 
moderate activity level. Blossom is playful and will chase tennis balls (but not return them). She is good-natured, friendly and will wants to climb into your lap. She knows the sit command but wasn't interested in the treats I 
offered. She seems to have been well-cared for and it's puzzling that her owner hasn't come looking for her. She has adjusted OK to the shelter. Blossom may be house-trained. She knows the sit command. There's much to like about this precious girl.”
Blossom is #50069624 — use her ID when you email [email protected] or call 972-216-6283.
And, fyi, from the dog biographers Debra Chisholm and Judi Brown: Mesquite’s shelter has been constantly full lately and the adoptions are not as frequent as the intakes. You can see Mesquite’s available adorables — dogs and cats — by clicking 
HERE.
Among the available animals is this handsome 7-year-old smallish fellow named Oliver (#49895219). He arrived on April 2 and is waiting in the shelter’s Conference Room for his ideal human to show up and take him home. In cat years (with loving care), 7 isn’t even middle-aged for a cat. Oliver is probably ready for conversation with people who don’t use “baby talk” and treat him like a kitten. [LARRY ASIDE: Yes, that is a promotional commentary on behalf of mature cats in shelters everywhere. Same for mature dogs. If you’re a grown-up human, a mature dog or mature cat may be just what you need to support your emotional level of intellect.]
TRIPP: ONE OF THE ‘NEW FACES’
WAITING IN A LOW-TRAFFIC SHELTER
This guy Tripp is waiting for an adoption or a rescue at the Ferris Animal Shelter on the southern side of Dallas.
We got his bio from 4-Legged Helpers, the non-profit with the mission of getting attention for animals held in low-human traffic shelters and rescue groups.
Tripp is a Pointer/Aussie Shepherd mix and he’s available right now. To ask about him or any animal the 4-Legged Helpers are working with, email [email protected] or call or text 214-949-2726.
Tripp’s a former stray. He’s around 2 years old and “very sweet” and his bio says, “He seems to know some commands and very much wants to please. He is such a great boy….a beautiful dog that is very lovable.”
As you may recall from previous editions, the Helpers are also focused on finding homes 
or rescue groups for Tasha, 
a Lab/Aussie Shepherd Mix who came in at the same time as Tripp. That’s Tasha (right).
And the Helpers are also working for Lady (being hugged), the dog who lived 
through a house fire and lost her home; Delilah, the “Red Heeler’ who is a year old, house-trained” and a “wonderful girl”; Cece the “bulldog mix” (brown, right) who adores children and is “incredibly deserving”; 
and Precious, “a very sweet girl who desperately needs someone.” Some of these animals have donations meant for the rescuing 501c3 that’ll take them — 
Precious (pointy ears), for example, has a $275 donation waiting.
Again, those contact points are [email protected] or call or text 214-949-2726.
Follow 4-Legged Friends on Facebook to keep up with the challenging mission and what the Friends need to be successful -- volunteers, fosters, donations, etc. It's an enduring mission.
CONTEMPLATIONS
LAST CHANCE, BP AND THE MOON
WORST WORDS IN EMAIL SUBJECT LINES? COULD BE “Last chance” Usually it has to do with car repair deals, shopping opportunities or surefire ways to make money by going through banks somewhere either in or across an ocean. Ah, 
but Tuesday I got a big envelope with the terrifying “FINAL NOTICE” on it and “URGENT Time Sensitive Material.” Immediately I thought I’d missed a payment on new electric car I didn’t know I’d bought. Nope, it was an invitation to attend “our 2022 Land, Air & Sea Travel Seminar” that is promised to be a “fun and informative discussion outlining the most cost-effective ways to enjoy your future vacations.” Being a picky veteran editor, of course, I felt like noting right away that no matter how good these people are, they cannot outline the “most cost-effective ways to enjoy your past vacations.” I.e., “future” is not needed in that sentence. And I’m their worst potential consumer, anyway — I don’t fly. I have my reasons and they’re not going to be erased by a seminar. I won’t even get into the spelling of the venue, but, “Inn” has two “n’s.” Proper spelling never takes a hollyday. (Big smile.)…
May is also National Blood Pressure Education month — probably monitoring it at the Supreme Court these days. …
While I don’t fly in airplanes, I might take a shot at one of those rockets to the moon when they’re safe and Moonbase Texas Crater has a Dairy Queen, satellite TV, links to books and a place for the cats and dogs to play while my funspouse Martha works up her Low-Grav Cookbook For Earthlings. Here’s the great — I mean THE GREAT — Diana Krall and a lunar number.
— Offer ballet tips or flight advice by clicking on ‘comment’ below or by emailing [email protected] and put SAFE LANDING, PILOT OR DANCER in the subject line! —
