Oh, readers, let's just go ahead and mention this. We've been wanting to talk about it. Britney Spears shaved her head.
No big deal if you're a guy. Look around. Lots of "hip" young men shave their heads under the mistaken theory that it will make them look "cool." All they demonstrate is 
that the Good Lord knew some lumpy noggins needed camouflage and that there are some ears that need to be disguised. And the backs of some heads have more wrinkles than a championship Shar-pei.
On the other hand, there is Patrick Stewart -- but only ONE Captain Jean-Luc Picard in the universe.
I knew a guy once who was in the middle of a horrible, horrible cold and, in an attempt to break the hold it held on him, he shaved his head. Didn't work. And he made an even uglier face when he sneezed.
Britney needs help. That love-sickened astronaut needs help. Everybody caught up in the Anna Nicole thing needs help. Heck, the whole world needs help. But shaving your head is never the answer unless the question is, "How bad do I hate this new hair-do?".
The photo? Oh, that's the day's Scene of Serenity. On the back of the couch we have Inky the Cocker Spaniel, Annabelle Bob the Black Cat, Poirot the Cat from Another World and Hambone Jack, aka Hammy. They are reacting to news that Britney shaved her head.
TWO REAL ESTATE STORIES: Oh, goodness, we've found contrasting tales.
Left behind: We got this story from Gail Whelan of Companion Animal Network. She says she's been contacted "by a young woman who is trying to help this dog. The dog's owners moved and left him at this house. He is still waiting for them to return. (GRRRRRRRRR) He is about a year old. This young woman will pay for shots and neutering, but we MUST find a safe place for this dog. The owner of the house does not want him there. PLEASE PLEASE can you post and beg for some wonderful rescue types to catch him and give him safe harbor? His vetting will be paid for!"
To help, e-mail gailwhelan@companionanimalnetwork.org.
Not left behind: These dogs are in a housing crisis, but they have not been left behind. We get the note from our tipsters at Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake. The original note comes from Realtor Don Averitt in Dallas. The dogs involved are Becky, left, and Sebastian.
Here's the story: "Two loving and well adjusted dogs need a new home. Their family is being transferred soon and will be unable 
to take them along. Becky is a 7-year-old Border Collie and Dalmatian mix with a lot of intelligence and energy. Sebastian is an 8-year-old German Shepard and Labrador mix that loves playing with Becky or just hanging out as the sweet, calm dog he is. Both are outside dogs and would like a nice yard to play in with a new family that will keep them together and give them lots of love and attention. They have been cared for by a local Dallas vet and the owners will be glad to insure that both are current on vet matters as part of the adoption. I’ll be happy to put you in quick contact with Becky and Sebastian’s family." To offer to help Becky and Sebastian, e-mail averittd@swbell.net or call 214-502-9070.
FOUND: Mary Irwin has the story: "My roommate and I were driving home from dance class last Monday night. We got on the [Dallas North] Tollway about 10 p.m. and saw this poor dog huddled up to the fence on Alpha and the Tollway. So we turned around 
and parked. She was curled up to the fence in a ball, completely terrified. Some other kind people had already stopped and tried to get hold of Animal Control, the tollway authority, anyone -- but no one would come out and help. We happened to have dog food in the car (and maybe some leftover fast food burger, but we won't admit to that!) and finally got her to follow me along the fence line to the on-ramp."
They were able to get the dog into their car and now they are facing the same challenge faced by everyone who picks up an animal these days: All the shelters are full, what do we do next?
In this case, Mary says, "We've already got 3 animals and 3 people in an apartment." So they're doing their part. Anyone out there who can help?
They've decided Deja is a Chow/weimaraner mix. She weighs 30 pounds and may be as young as 9 months or as old as a year-and-a-half.
To help Deja find a home or a place to wait for her next home, call Mary at 817 629 9012 or e-mail marymakeup@gmail.com.
HAPPY PAWS ON THE PRAIRIE: Those folks at the Prairie Paws Adoption Center in Grand Prairie must have a professional photographer on the staff. Apryl Bristow forwarded the LINK to the "Pets of the Week."
Consider this photo of young Duke, a Bassett/Boston terrier mix who has a tendency toward playfulness and is, obviously, photogenic.
The Prairie Paws Adoption Center is at 2222 W. Warrior Trail on the south side of Grand Prairie. Phone 972-237-8575.
Yes, dear readers, I know: We'd adopt every one of them if we could.
NEWS FROM CORSICANA: We get this from our Corsicana tipster Julie Maupin. It has to do with a found dog (Bess, from yesterday's report) and a "found" free-roaming lab. Julie's report: "Good news! Matt and Misha Parker's lost Schnauzer, Bess, is now safe at home!!! Shannon Milligan found Bess as he passed by Jester Park this morning." Then, Julie says, Dave Roberts is dealing with a "super friendly, small female Yellow Lab" who "wandered up to Bowie Elementary School ... Dave said that 100 children surrounded the happy dog during recess! Rather than call Animal Control, Dave would like to get the word out about this wonderful, loving dog. She is on the small side - perhaps about 30 lbs. She is wearing a collar but no tags. Dave says that she is obviously someone's wonderful pet. The dog has a million dollar disposition and loves the children. Please spread the word and give Dave a call at Bowie or email me if you hear of someone looking for a lost Yellow Lab girl." The school number is 1-903-872-6541 and Julie's e-mail is jhmaupin@sbcglobal.net.
CULTURAL NOTE: Never mind bringing the George W. Bush Presidential Library to town, we've got more important things to consider. The AP reports that an ex-Dallas Cowboys cheerleader is attempting to set up a National Cheerleading Hall of Fame. Why should it be in Dallas? Because Dallas is where the "herkie" was invented. Lawrence "Herkie" Herkimer invented the "leap" when he was a cheerleader at North Dallas High School. It became a traditional cheerleader maneuver. Mr. Herkimer was founder of the National Cheerleader Association and instrumental in the development of the cheerleader industry.
Say, you know, President George Bush was a cheerleader at Andover. If SMU could clear off a lot for the cheerleader hall of fame next to the presidential library... well, it just goes without saying: If you build it, they will herkie.
There's a sentence I never thought I'd write.
