Dog rescues family from house fire IN Lassie-lookalike Sandy, the dog, lived up to the Lassie legend by rousing her family before a deadly fire engulfed them. Their house and all their possessions were destroyed, but the dog and family escaped unharmed... [Richmond Palladium Item]

Dog approved for multiple credit cards OH When one credit company asked for his signature, his owner sent in a paw print. Spike, the dachshund, got added to lots of mailing lists too, with offers for life insurance and an invitation to 'enroll in a pet grooming school...' [Yahoo news]

Osbourne offspring say dog psychiatrist meeting staged  'The dog and the dog therapist, that was an MTV thing...' Figures... after all, The Osbourne show is entertainment TV. Patriach Ozzy denies any faking or staging of family meetings... Hmm... maybe 'Anna Nicole's crazy dog on prozac episode' was faked too...  [Ananova.com]

Dog-gone! Dog on the lam returns home two years later Jack Russell terrier Sally Ann disappeared for two years after she was left outside a grocery store by her owner. Her owner always felt the Jack Russell terrier was still alive somewhere...  'She was so obedient. She was well known in the area and didn't need to be on a lead. She would just sit there until I had finished...'  [Ananova.com]

Lawyer serves dog treats instead of supoenas The Black Dog Bakery is now open and a former lawyer's clients are now dogs. Related: Professionals going to the dogs [Yahoo News]

Teen gets detention for 'worst case of animal abuse' Wales A teen who slashed his dog's throat, tried to rip it apart with his bare hands and then hanged it got six months detention and counseling for his crime... [IC Wales]

Officer Krowbar, world's best drug dog, retires FL The world's most famous and best police dog retired on Tuesday with honors. 'Mexico's most-feared drug cartel put a price on his head. Over the years, his keen senses routinely frustrated smugglers by sniffing out 33 tons of drugs valued at more than $306 million...'  [Guardian Unlimited, UK] Related: Top drug dog retires..., Legendary drug dog retires