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Wonderland Greyhound Park sounds like a vacation spot for speedy, needle-nosed pooches.

But it is actually the biggest tax delinquent in the city of Revere, Mass., according to a report from the Boston Globe.

The racetrack owes more than a quarter million dollars in taxes accrued since 2006. It also owes almost $17,000 in overdue utility bills. The city has begun foreclosure proceedings.

Despite the delinquency, the track was granted renewals of its liquor and restaurant licenses and parking permits, in violation of city ordinances.

"Obviously there was an error here," Revere Mayor Thomas Ambrosino told the city council. "I assure you, once these liquor and parking licenses are up in December, they will not be issued if they're still delinquent."

The greyhound racing industry is in peril of becoming obsolete in Massachusetts. This fall voters will decide on a referendum that bans dog racing in the commonwealth.

That could be good and bad news for the sighthounds currently making the rounds at the two tracks left in Massachusetts. The best performing dogs will likely be transferred to other tracks, like the one in Cross Plains, W.V. or more invested states like Florida or Kansas. Some dogs will be placed with rescue groups in search of a new life as a pet.

The rest are not likely to have a happy ending.

As the proud pet parent of two retired racers, I am a staunch advocate for placing these wonderfully loving and docile dogs in homes when their careers have ended. The problem is there are never enough homes for these sweet pooches.

I was sorry to see Tillman, the skateboarding bulldog, eliminated from the "Greatest American Dog" show. Then again, he's probably better off.

I had pretty high hopes for this reality show, but it has not lived up to expectations. This show has focused more on the humans than on the pooches, which is a pretty big mistake considering the dogs are entertaining and most of the humans are not.

Tillman was a bright spot on the show. He was a real dog. Even though he rides a skateboard, which seems to be a talent shared by a few English bulldogs, he usually behaved like any other dog.

He didn't always do exactly what he was told. He slept a lot. He drank too much pool water and then tossed it back into the pool. He farted. Often.

If this show had lived up to it's potential, Tillman's human, Ron, could have learned about ways to make Tillman less gassy, a solution to a problem shared by many dog owners that logically make up the viewing audience of this show. Useful training tips would be appreciated, too.

But instead, we get to watch some childish behavior from Brandy toward Travis and Laura in what is shaping up to be a classic love triangle that many of us can relate to, if indeed we want to re-live middle school.

What has this got to do with the dogs?

Last night's competition had the humans trying to get their dogs to strike a pose for a photographer that illustrated an emotion. Ron and Tillman were expelled from the Canine Academy because Tillman's photo did not adequately express "lazy."

Are you kidding me?

Spared from eviction was Teresa, who curses and yells at her border collie, Leroy. She was chastised for using a rubber band to make Leroy snarl to demonstrate "angry." Judge Victoria Stillwell said she thought that was inhumane.

I think that's stretching it a little, no pun intended. While I certainly don't think you should make a habit of putting a rubber band on your dog's snout, and realistically why on earth would you, the dog was never harmed.

Still, if the judges thought Teresa was mistreating her dog, as she does almost all the time, why was that a more forgivable sin that a less-than-artsy photo of a sleepy bulldog? Great message there.

If you are watching this show, post a comment and let me know what you think. I am about ready to bail on this nonsense.

This handsome fellow is Jake, and he is currently looking for a good home, and I think I know the perfect place.

How about 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington D.C.?

You see Jake, like so many other American pets, is a victim of the current housing and mortgage crisis. He was found abandoned in a foreclosed home here in Roanoke.

According to his foster family, Jake is a boxer-mix mutt, between 1 and 2 years old and completely adorable.

"He is very laid back, house trained, friendly with other animals and people, especially kids," his foster parents wrote. They said they would keep him but they already have 2 large dogs and not enough room for a third.

They are keeping him for a couple of weeks for the Roanoke Valley SPCA.

That got me thinking about an online petition I signed last week from Best Friends Animal Sanctuary urging presidential candidate Barack Obama’s family to consider adopting a shelter mutt. (To sign the petition, click here.)

The candidate has said that he and his wife Michelle promised their two daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, they could have a dog after the November election. Remember Jake’s foster family said he is great with kids.

But I am sure Jake here is “non-pawtisian.” John McCain is a true animal lover; his family has more than 20 pets in all manner of mammal, amphibian, fish and fowl, including a mutt. I’ll bet Jake wouldn’t mind curling up for a nap under McCain’s desk in the Oval Office, either.

Don’t you love the idea of a once-homeless, down-and-out but sweet and loveable mutt becoming the country’s First Dog? That would truly be an American dream.

But I hope Jake doesn’t have to wait until fall to find a home. If you or anyone you know is interested in adopting Jake, contact the RVSPCA at 344-4840.

Here's an Associated Press story about paw-tisian politics:

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (AP) _ One of the candidates in the race to become Fairhope's next mayor is considerably more hairy than the rest. He also has twice as many legs and a constantly wagging tail.

Wille Bean Roscoe P. Coltrane is a 7-year-old yellow Labrador retriever whose owner has taken a satirical poke at politics by launching the pooch into the race.

But Willie Bean may not be up for that rough-and-tumble world.

"When a little dog barks at him, he cringes and he runs away," owner Tress Turner told the Press-Register in a story Sunday.

Turner, 43, manages The Coffee Loft, which is also the dog's campaign headquarters where supporters can purchase T-shirts and yard signs.

Some of his supporters say all the politicking, name-dropping and sign-maneuvering in the seven-man Fairhope mayoral race is wearing on them weeks ahead of the Aug. 26 election.

"I think he polishes up the field," said Vince Kilborn, 66, of Fairhope. "We need new blood."

Kilborn, former Gov. Don Siegelman's chief attorney in his ongoing criminal corruption case, added about the dog: "He doesn't have any skeletons in his closet. He's eaten them all."

Read more »

In today's Roanoke Times' Extra section is a story about designer dogs: hybrids of two purebred breeds crossed to make litters of puppies with desired characteristics, size and appearance.

Many of these popular pooches are mixes with poodles: Labradoodles, like the one in this picture, cockapoos, Yorkiepoos, etc., hoping that the thick, curly coat of the poodle, which is less likely to shed, will pass along to the puppies. This is an attractive option for people with allergies who yearn to have a dog.

All dogs shed. While it is true that poodles and other breeds with curly, wiry hair shed less and thus leave less dander, it can’t be completely eliminated because the dog is alive and hair and skin naturally sloughs off.

And dogs drool, folks (I am thinking about the dog in the movie "Turner and Hooch"). Some less than others, but they will drool as long as they have saliva.

Read more »

Television host, self-taught chef and fellow pit bull owner Rachael Ray will expand her brand name to the pet care aisle of grocery and specialty stores with the launch of her Nutrish line of dog foods and treats.

According to a MarketWatch.com report, Ray's proceeds will be donated to Rachael's Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping at-risk animals through adoption, medical care and educational programs, along with training and outreach initiatives.

"It seemed like not a lot of extra time to donate to something that could potentially raise millions of dollars for championing these little creatures that can't speak for themselves," Ray said in an interview with the Associated Press.

Ray is a long-time advocate for animal welfare and has often discussed pet nutrition on her daily syndicated talk show, in her monthly magazine and on her cable cooking show. Earlier this year she produced a special, "Rachael Ray Feeds Your Pets," on the Food Network.

"I love my dog Isaboo and as a member of my family I need to make sure that she eats as well as the rest of us," Ray is quoted in the MarketWatch report. "With the launch of Nutrish, I now have the opportunity to share with other pet lovers some of her favorite meals, flavors and special treats."

A line of food products for cats is also planned.

(Associated Press photo)

Dr. Dave and Elvis got booted from the Canine Academy on "Greatest American Dog" last night. Too bad, because I think Elvis was benefiting from the social exposure to other dogs. I get the feeling Dr. Dave doesn't get out much either, so it seemed like this was a positive experience for him, too.

In the elimination competition was designed to test how well the dogs, and their humans, could train for an agilitly-like course and work as a team. Elvis was the only dog that was guided through part of his course on-leash, and that's what cost him and the good doctor their spot in the game.

Presley, the boxer pup, had no problems pushing this little cart along part of the course.In fact, Presley doesn't seem to have a problem performing almost anything his human, Travis, asks him to do. He's a pretty smart dog, and Travis seems like a good guy.

Read more »

NASCAR driver Tony Stewart will donate bulletproof, stab-proof vests for police dogs in five states, according to an AP report.

Stewart's charitable foundation donated the money to provide 30 vests for the Indiana State Police K-9 unit and 10 for police dogs waiting for vests in Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina and Minnesota.

Susie Jean of Socorro, N.M., requested a grant from the Tony Stewart Foundation for vests for the 14 dogs currently in the Indiana State Police unit.

Stewart, a Columbus, In., native, upped the amount to cover more vests upon learning the state police unit was expanding to 30 dogs. The vests cost $895 each, according to information provided by the foundation, meaning 40 vests would total more than $35,000.

Stewart, in Indiana this week for the Brickyard 400 race, presented the vests to state police officials yesterday at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Clermont.

Jean founded Vest 'N P.D.P. (Police Dog Protection) Inc., a nonprofit that collects donations to purchase bullet- and stab-proof vests for police dogs. So far, the nonprofit has provided 169 vests to police dogs in 22 states, not including the Stewart donation.

I am a NASCAR fan, and Stewart, a fellow Hoosier, happens to be my favorite driver.

For me, this gesture makes up for his leaving Joe Gibbs Racing, thus changing his car number, thus causing me to buy all new apparel next season when my hubby and I go racing.

I was never really crazy about the orange-colored gear anyway. Thanks Tony!

(AP file photo/April 2008)

You may remember the story of Rocco, the wandering beagle who was reunited with his family after a five-year absence and a journey of 850 miles.

From suburban Chicago we have another happy ending, this one for a rough collie named Bo, who also went missing for five years and was recently reunited with his family.

Like Rocco, Bo was microchipped. The chip directed animal shelter employees to the Moeller family and sent Bo back home.

I was one of those people who was a little hesitant at first about getting my pets microchipped. It seems so invasive and I worried about the potential health risks. But stories like these prove that the microchip gives your pet a chance to find his or her way home.

(Photo by Christopher Hankins/The Daily Herald)