Caught In The Act! Authorities Nab Cunning Shoe Thief.

An arrest was made today in the ongoing case of the mysterious moving shoes. Officials captured known suspect "Frankie" in possession of a shoe just this morning (See photo).

Frankie, who appeared contrite at the time, claimed later that he was set up, and that Debra placed the shoe in front of him and took the photo. Debra admitted to placing the shoe near Frankie only because she had forgotten to take a picture when she caught him in the act of playing with the shoe, and had put it away. She returned the shoe to take the photo. "Okay, it's a reinactment of the crime, but I WITNESSED the crime," Debra stated.

Frankie was convicted by the judge (also Debra) and was placed on unlimited probation with the admonishment, "No, no no, Frankie. Bad, bad. bad!"
Frankie expressed considerable remorse (with his eyes) and hung his tail in shame for a good ten seconds.

Shoe owner Debra says that she takes full responsibility for the crimes of her dog, Frankie. "Frankie is a good dog," Debra added, "It is up to me to provide him with appropriate toys so that he doesn't take matters into his own hands." Debra plans to go pick up some new toys for the dogs this weekend. Said Debra, in reflection, "I'm just glad it's over, and that no dogs, or shoes were harmed."

Criminals Becoming Brazen in Continued Theft Ring. Officials Stumped.

Two More Shoes Were Stolen Saturday.

Officials were shocked on Saturday to find not one but two shoes stolen from the closet and relocated on the floor of the hall. Closet owner, Debra, was stunned. "I was only gone for a little while, " Debra stated, "And it happened again. It's just wrong. Why won't they leave my shoes alone?"

Two shoes were left in a sculptural position (see file photo). One shoe was a black heeled sandal with white stitching, the other a grey knit Sketcher described by onlookers as an Ugg knockoff. Neither shoes appeared to have sustained any damage in the incident.

Witnesses were questioned by authorities, who recieved little information. Longtime resident, "Katie" was said to be uncooperative. Officials believe that Katie, who goes by the alias "Katie Katie, Pretty Lady," probably witnessed the crime but is concerned with retaliation.

A second witness a young teen known only as "Frankie," was forthcoming with information, but spoke mostly in an unfamiliar dialect known only as, "Roo Roo Roo." Body language experts reported that Frankie appeared uncommonly excited, but that, as Debra says, "Is how Frankie is ALL the time. It doesn't mean he feels guilty. He's very impulsive however, so I wouldn't put ANYTHING past that kid."

Officials state that they are narrowing their focus and now have a "Poodle Of Interest" identified.
The name of the individual was withheld, as the investigation is ongoing. Sources close to the victim have said that an area poodle known as Ava may be involved.

Quest For Shoe Thief Continues: New Theft, No Confessions.

When I arrived home last night, I CSI'd the perimiter for new evidence. I uncovered this new crime scene:

 What you see in this grainy evidence photo is a black suede loafer. This is a new crime, in that officials had cleared this area just yesterday, and this loafer was NOT, I repeat NOT out of the closet, in fact they were located in the other end of said closet, so they are yards (ok a few feet) from their original position.  Detectives have narrowed theories to one of two scenarios:

1: Loafer was too heavy for the unsub to transport any further, and the heist was aborted. or,
2: The heist was interrupted, perhaps a someone witnessed the crime in progress, and the mission was abandoned.

I have interrogated the three furry "persons of interest" identified as being in the vicinity during prior crimes. No one is talking. Well, okay they can't talk. But no one is talking.

The Curious Mystery of the Amazing Moving Shoes

When I was a little Debra, I loved reading Nancy Drew mysteries, and now that I'm all growed up, I'm addicted to Criminal Minds, House, CSI - I just love me a good mystery. Now I have a real-life mystery, and I can't figure it out.

Ever since Ava came to live with us (on Sunday) something weird has been happening. Every afternoon, when I come home from work, there is a shoe placed somewhere in the middle of the floor. One shoe. One of MY shoes, from MY closet. The shoe isn't chewed (if it was, I would blame Frankie for sure) it's just...MOVED.

One day it was a ballet flat. Another day it was a heavy biker boot! Yesterday it was a strappy heeled pump.
I'm assuming it's one of three furry unsubs who have access. I do not however, have a motive, and I lack evidence. Katie has never done anything like this. so while she could do it, it would be a new M.O. for this suspect. Frankie has, but it was to rip the shoe apart, not just move it to a different location, so she's a suspect, but it's not her signature. Ava is REALLY little, I don't think she COULD drag a biker boot three rooms away, and she's not shown any interest in the closet or my shoes, in my presence.

So I want to know:

Suspects Flee Scene of Crime

WHO is doing it?  And HOW  are they doing it, since I closed my closet except for about 4 inches (because Katie likes to lie down in there). But Most importantly, WHY are they DOING it? The mystery continues. I will let you know what is left for me today....(insert creepy mystery music here.)

The Kids Are Alright. Kinda.

Remember when you were a kid, and your mom made you and your friends play with some new kid that you didn't know, and didn't even want to know? Maybe she was BFF's with the kids' mom. Maybe she thought you needed a friend. Whatever. You were forced into a relationship. The kid played too rough with your toys, got all in your business, ate your snacks, and your mom acted like this freeloader walked on water. Stuff you got busted for, this kid got away with. "He's new, he doesn't know our rules yet." He's trying, he just wants to play with you." "Be nice to him." Geez, Mom...

This is happening at my house, right now. Katie, the oldest sibling, is put off completely by this interloper, Ava. Ava is so annoying. She wants to be right next to Katie.  She wants Katie to play. She doesn't know that each dog has their own dish, so she eats from all of them. Oh the humanity!

Frankie is less critical of Ava in general, but she does get upset when Mom pays special attention to Ava. After all, Frankie is the BABY. He's been pouting and sulking when I show love to Ava, but if I ignore her, Frankie is happy to play with Ava, and even shares his toys with her. Frankie has a very generous spirit. Jealous, but generous.

At some point, everyone will get along. Or they had better, because this isn't somebody else's kid come over to play. She's mine. Forever.

Ava's shelter days are over!

Dog Saves Own Life in Hot Car!

Proof that dogs are resourceful beyond belief! This guy didn't need opposable thumbs to find a solution to his problem. Clever Canine Takes Matters into His Own Paws When Locked In Hot Car

And then there were 3! Please welcome little Ava

Ava was a stray at the San Diego County Animal Shelter. She is around 6 years old, and is just adorable!

Ava in her new forever home.

If you look carefully, you can see that her right ear has been cut in two. May have been an accident, maybe not. She's very cautious of her ears. She has a cataract in her right (Ava "Left-Eye" Keeney) and the shelter obviously had to shave her to the skin to clean her up, but she's just adorable, and it just felt like the right thing to bring her home as a sister to Katie and Frankie.

Dog Bites Man, dog Saves Man's Life.

From the Weird News files, comes a story about canine perception of human illness, and their ability and willingness to act on behalf of human life, even if that act comes in conflict with their norm of acceptable behavior. An undiagnosed diabetic man in Michigan injured his toe while he was drunk. He didn't feel it, because often diabetics lose feeling in their extremities. The injury quickly became infected. While he was still passed out and feeling no pain, his canine best friend, Kiko chewed off the infected portion of the toe, and effectively cleaned the wound. Dogs are known to smell or sense illness, including infections, cancer, heart trouble, and the advent of seizures. I'm not aware of any other stories out there where a dog actually chewed off the infection of his or her human guardian. This could indicate a new area of canine conceptual ability, specifically, an ability to prioritize a value system, which is a quite sophisticated mental process.  Dog Bites Off Toe, Saves Owner's Life.

Ice cream and pickles

Lately I've been feeling a really powerful feeling inside. It comes from somewhere in the middle, and the feeling is growing in me. It's the feeling that I'm ready to have another dog. I believe the time is right for our little family to grow just a little bigger. So the next question is, what little bundle of joy will it be? I have MANY choices. Currently there are about 14 white minature poodles at San Diego County Animal Shelters.