Sniper fells woman at Seven Corners Home Depot in Falls Church, VA VA A woman was killed by the 'beltway sniper' in a Falls Church, Virginia, Home Depot store at about 9:15 pm on Sunday. Police report it as an upper body shot as she was helping her husband load supplies into a car (other witnesses say she was shot once in the head.) Several witnesses say they saw the shooter and gave the police a description of the suspect (not confirmed by police; tag number not confirmed either) and description of the getaway van (astro van with a silver ladder rack and damage to the left rear tail light).  Police are in hot pursuit and shutting down all exits the sniper might exit from Route 50 going east bound. A visibly shaken police chief (Falls Church, Virginia) relayed the horrific news at a press conference on television at 11:15 pm... (CNN) Related: Google News (The police chief identified the van as a cream colored astro van, but all the news stations are saying the vehicle is a 1990 white chevy astrovan with a nonworking LEFT tail light). So far, traffic has ground to a standstill on Route 50 and police are checking all suspicious vehicles.

Belgian Malinois, top dog at Police Canine Association National Police Dog Field Trials MN 'Tazer, a Belgian Malinois, won five first-place awards at the 33rd annual US Police Canine Association National Police Dog Field Trials. The awards included the prestigious "Top Dog" award, as well as the first-place awards for apprehension, search, overall score and the regional team category...'  Mower County Sheriff's K-9 Officer Is Top Dog [KXLT] Related: Coplink - 'K9 Links', Patrol and Beyond K-9 Links, K-9s pursue certification, United States Police Canine Association, Region 3 - USPCA History

Waiting for a sniper, DC area parks empty, parking lots deserted MD This morning, we decided to take our dog to a park... First stop... Starbucks... outside tables stacked forlornly; normally, there are lots of people clustered at the tables and chatting as  we'd walk in. Not today and the window seats, a coveted location prior to sniper attacks, were available... We drove on to Martin Luther King park, a beautifully manicured park with a glorious lake, tennis courts, children's playgrounds and paths, all nestled in a serene wooded area. It was too serene, too quiet... this affluent suburb had withdrawn into itself and left the park completely deserted; as we circled the lake by car, I realized that we would be easy pickings for the deranged sniper and since neither of us wanted to present ourselves for target practice, we kept driving... past the horse stables... past Woodside gardens... we kept wondering where was safe... finally we settled on the park near Georgia... again, we were the only people in sight... we had the whole place to ourselves... we walked our dog... and scanned for white trucks or vans... none in sight... that was good news for our dog who needed a long walk outdoors... Related: Google News

Dogfriendly maps for San Diego residents CA A woman whose prize dogs were euthanized shortly after they were picked up by animal control channeled her grief to pet rescue and a new business: PetLovers Publications. 'Judy Macomber joined the boards of local animal shelters and pet organizations, and with the settlement money from the San Diego shelter that killed her dogs, she began to publish her guides.Her  hand-out maps mark dog parks, pet-friendly beaches, pet- friendly hotels and restaurants and various pet services. Tips on safety and dog walking etiquette are also included.' A well-socialized dog who is out and about with its owners is more likely a well-behaved dog than one left home alone or chained in a back yard. Her website,  PetLovers Publications, also includes other pet friendly advice and news.... Woman provides maps to dog-friendly places [San Bernadino Sun]

Therapy dog takes bite out of reading SC Misty, a tiny West Highland white terrier, gives fourth and five graders a reason to enjoy reading; she listens calmly and quietly to students who read to her and boosts their confidence with her approving attention...  Classroom pooch sits, stays with readers [Raleigh Durham Herald]

What kind of dog are you? Your dog personality test online 'Do you always wear underwear? Do you like the smell of gasoline? Sorry to be so nosy, but if you could just take a few minutes to answer these and 98 other quick questions, the folks at thespark.com will kindly help you determine such pressing matters as how "pure" you are and how much longer you have to live...'  Another sublimely silly personality test... What Breed of Dog Are You? [Time Magazine]