Metra: Bomb dogs pass test (The Naperville Sun)
Bomb-sniffing dogs that protect the Chicago area’s commuter rail system were up to snuff Friday in a test Metra arranged after a CBS 2/Chicago Sun-Times investigation raised questions about the effectiveness of the dogs and their handlers, a spokeswoman for the agency said.

Dogs enhance the image of their stylish owners with designer duds (Birmingham News)
You may not see any poodle skirts this season, but almost anything else goes in the world of canine couture. As China celebrates 2006 as the Year of the Dog, Americans are dressing - and toting - their best friends in everything chic. And it’s more than off-label sweaters from pet stores.

Hindu priests purify Gandhi memorial after visit by Bush sniffer-dogs (Fort Wayne News Channel 15)
NEW DELHI It wasn’t President Bush’s visit to Mohandas Gandhi’s memorial that offended Hindu priests who look after it, it was the sniffer dogs used in a security sweep.

Metra: Bomb dogs pass test (Chicago Sun-Times)
Bomb-sniffing dogs that protect the Chicago area’s commuter rail system were up to snuff Friday in a test Metra arranged after a CBS2/Chicago Sun-Times investigation raised questions about the effectiveness of the dogs and their handlers, a spokeswoman for the agency said.

Must love dogs (Asheville Citizen-Times)
The greyhound is one of the oldest breeds of dogs, dating to before the era of Egyptian kings and pyramids.

Ice Dogs take control early (The Jersey Journal)
The Ice Dogs broke loose for six goals in the opening period en route to a 10-2 runaway against the Gas House Gorillas in Junior Division action of the Bayonne Recreation Floor Hockey League.

Pet lovers wild about designer dogs (Miami Herald)
It’s a sunny afternoon at Chia’s Pet Kingdom, an apt name for the rural Texas home of a couple who own 20 dogs. Little shorkie dogs scamper about the living room of the house that is their kingdom. Two chiweenie puppies are curled up on the kingdom’s leather sofa.

Black Dogs rip Mother Lode (The Reporter)
The Vacaville Black Dogs Rugby Club defeated Mother Lode 27-12 at Willis Jepson Middle School. The Black Dogs represent Vacaville High, while Mother Lode’s roster includes players from Oak Ridge and Ponderosa high schools. Zev Post, Kurt Young, Ray Lalley, Patrick Wehner and Mike Posey scored tries for Vacaville and Matt Hensley made one

Bill would up fines for vicious dogs (Pantagraph)
SPRINGFIELD - Owners of dogs who attack people or pets would face stiffer penalties under legislation approved Friday by the Illinois House. The measure would bring jail time and steep fines for dog owners who allow their pets to roam free and attack people.