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HOT HOLLYWOOD DOGS by Marcy Stephens

The world’s most famous collie, Lassie, made her TV debut this week back in 1954. So let’s look back at some canines that earned their keep (and then some) by working on TV and film. • Although Lassie was referred to as a girl in both the film and TV series, the dog that portrayed her was male. Female collies lose their coat once per year, which might cause disruptions in filming schedules. Male collies are larger, too, so they’re able to work with taller child stars and not look too small. • The first Lassie was a collie named Pal. Later, Pal was bred with several females in an effort to produce pups with the same wide white blaze on the face, white collar of fur around the neck, and four white paws. The Lassie TV series of the late 1990s starred an eighthgeneration descendant of Pal. • A recurring gag on TV’s The Nanny involved Miss C.C. Babcock’s dog, Chester the Pomeranian. He seemed more attached to nanny Fran than to his owner. That’s because the nanny – actress Fran Drescher – was Chester’s real-life owner. What’s more, he was very possessive of her, so it wasn’t difficult to train him to growl at C.C. (actress Lauren Lane) whenever she picked him up. turn the page for more!

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By Samantha Mazzotta

Hurricane Kit for Pets DEAR PAW’S CORNER: We’re at the height of hurricane season here in the South, and I wanted to tell you about how I prepare my whole family, including our two dogs, Sadie and Sassie, in case a hurricane approaches. I keep a “hurricane kit” -- a tote bag and a cooler -- in the entry hall next to the garage. In the tote bag is one change of clothes for each person in the family (my kids are out of diapers thankfully, but if they weren’t, a big case of diapers would be included) and copies of our most important documents (house papers, doctor and vet information, etc.), along with a couple of books and coloring books, a hand-cranked radio/flashlight and a small first-aid kit. A smaller bag tucked into the big tote has my dogs’ necessities: two extra collars and leashes, extra medications, extra ID tags, a copy of their vet records, a couple of chew toys, a small bag of treats and two folding water bowls. In the cooler is two gallons of water, nonperishable food and snacks. In June of each year I go through the kit, throw away expired food and medications and restock. I also buy an extra case of water and store nearby. My family knows the routine to follow if an evacuation order is issued -- my sons will get the dogs while my husband loads the hurricane kit and extra water into the van, and I grab wallets and keys. It seems like a lot to go through for a storm that usually doesn’t come, but we have had to evacuate before and use our “lessons learned” to stay ready. One important thing is, don’t bring the kitchen sink! Put only necessities into the kit to get through one to three days without food, water or a change of clothes. And always include your pets’ needs when putting the kit together. -- Morgan C., Jacksonville, Fla. DEAR MORGAN: Thank you! Another important thing is to ensure your pets can be found if you get separated. A set of ID tags on their collar with contact information is helpful. Many owners also “chip” their pets, and while some owners are still ambivalent about this practice, it has proven invaluable during disasters in helping pets that have lost their collars get back to their owners. Send your tips, questions and comments to Paws Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or e-mail them to pawscorner@hotmail.com.

HOLLYWOOD DOGS (continued): • Mike the Briard appeared as the lovable Buck on TV’s Married…with Children. Mike started his gig with the Bundy clan when he was three and a half years old, and stayed with them for the next nine years. The producers retired him at the age of 12, considered quite old for �many ��went � � �� large-breed dogs. On the show, Buck to �� complaining ��Al dog heaven, � with about the cost of a canine funeral. “They buried King Tut for less!” • The Cairn Terrier first received major show business exposure in 1939, when a pooch named Terry played Toto in The Wizard of Oz. The second most famous Cairn in Hollywood may have been Danny, who played both Fred, Little Ricky’s dog on I Love Lucy; and Fremont, the neighbor Wilsons’ spoiled pet on Dennis the Menace. • Even though Mad About You’s Paul Buchman described Murray as a “rare Flatbush Pound Collie-Shepherd,” Maui (the dog who played Murray) is really a Border Collie mix. A trainer rescued him from an animal shelter in Castaic, California, and found him work in a few television commercials. He can do many tricks on cue, including sneezing, shaking his head, rolling over, and (as the show’s fans will recall) chasing invisible mice. • The first dog to portray Comet on Full House was a Golden Retriever named Buddy. Buddy also starred in the film Air Bud, but was unable to appear in the sequels due to an illness that took his life in 1998. • Henry the Bassett Hound played Lt. Columbo’s slobbery, ice-cream-eating pal on Columbo. On the show, mind you, he was only ever referred to as “Dog.” When Henry retired, he was replaced by a younger Bassett Hound. Makeup artists, normally tasked with trying to make actors look younger, touched up his fur to add some years to his face.

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HOLLYWOOD DOGS (continued): • Jay Bush was very nervous about appearing on-camera when he was tapped to be the spokesman for the family’s popular brand of beans. The family pet, a Golden Retriever named Duke, was brought on the set to help Jay to relax. Someone got the idea to have Jay “tell” Duke the secret Bush’s Baked Beans recipe. He was initially reluctant, since he thought it sounded silly, but the scenario had spawned a series of related ads. The dog that appears with Jay in commercials is a professional actor; the real Duke doesn’t care for show business and prefers to stay home. • When Frasier topped the Nielsen ratings, the character that received the most fan mail was the Jack Russell terrier known as Eddie. His real name was Moose, and a family that couldn’t handle his rambunctious nature handed him over to a rescue organization. Trainer Mathilde de Cagny spotted Moose and thought he had charisma, so she adopted him. Moose was a fast learner, and six months later, he hit the jackpot by landing the role of Eddie in his very first audition. • Frank the Pug proved so popular after his lone scene in the feature film Men in Black that he was brought back for the sequel. By then, Mushu, who played Frank, was getting grey around his muzzle. The makeup department added a little pancake powder on his snout to bring back his youthful look. • Dreyfuss, from TV’s Empty Nest, was big in more ways than one. He was played by a St. Bernard/ Golden Retriever mix named Bear, and became an immediate hit with viewers. Producers had to limit his on-camera time simply because he was so massive. It was difficult to fit more than one actor in a scene when Bear was on the stage. By the way, Bear’s sister, Bodi, is in show business, too. She appeared in the film Steel Magnolias. • Hart to Hart’s Freeway (so named because that’s where he was found) was supposed to be a non-descript mutt good for little more than shedding on the sofa. But in real life, the dog who played Freeway was a purebred Löwchen named Charlie. The unusual breed is originally from Germany, where Löwchen means “little lion.” • A pit bull named Grunt appeared in the 1983 feature film Flashdance. Even though Grunt’s screen time was minimal, he was listed in the movie’s end credits as being portrayed by Jumbo Red. What’s amazing is that the name of Marine Jahan, who appeared in several scenes doing most of the real dancing in the film, did not appear anywhere in those credits. The producers wanted the audience to think that star Jennifer Beals was the one bustin’ those moves. • Okay, technically, Santa’s Little Helper isn’t a real dog, he’s a cartoon dog. But the faithful pet of The Simpsons acts more like a real dog than most other Hollywood canines. He chews Homer’s shoes, and even steals food off the table. The only “tricks” he can do are scratching and licking himself. On the show, SLH was a racing greyhound who caused Homer to lose all his money betting at the dog track. He ended up being the kids’ Christmas present that year. • The little Chihuahua that played the Taco Bell dog was named Gidget. She became so popular that two stand-in dogs – Dinky and Taco – were hired to handle the scores of requests for personal appearances. When Taco Bell ended that ad campaign, Gidget made one last TV appearance on The Tonight Show. Host Jay Leno offered her a choice of a Taco Bell chalupa or some KFC chicken. Who knew that what Gidget really “quiero-ed” was an extra crispy drumstick?

SPAGHETTI STEW The second week of September is Vegetarian Awareness Week, and even if you’re not a vegetarian, you’ll never miss the meat in this delicious stew. 2 cups reduced-sodium tomato juice 1 (8-ounce) can Hunt’s Tomato Sauce 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots 1 1/2 cups chopped celery 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 1/3 cups (4 ounces) uncooked broken spaghetti 1/4 cup Kraft Reduced Fat Parmesan Style Grated Topping

In a large skillet, combine tomato juice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, carrots, celery and onion. Bring mixture to a boil. Stir in uncooked spaghetti. Continue cooking for 10 to 12 minutes or until vegetables and spaghetti are tender. When serving, top each dish with 1-tablespoon Parmesan cheese. Makes 4 (1 cup) servings. HINT: If you don’t like the crunch of the vegetables, they can be sautéed first. • Each serving equals: 210 calories, 2g fat, 7g protein, 41g carbs, 544mg sodium, 106mg calcium, 4g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Vegetables, 2 Starch; Carb Choices: 3.

Visit Healthy Exchanges at www.healthyexchanges.com, or call toll-free at 1-800-766-8961 for more information about the only national food newsletter for diabetics, heart/ cholesterol concerns and healthy weight loss.

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From Start to Fitness By Andrea Renee Wyatt, M.S.S., C.S.C.S.

Working Out With Mom

Q: I enjoy working out four to five days a week at a local fitness center. Recently, my 80-year-old mother came to live with my family and me, and I would like for her to join me to exercise. She has never exercised in a formal gym setting before, and I am not sure where to start. Is she too old to begin to exercise, and where should I start?

A: Exercise is truly for every age. The type of exercise and the intensity can be modified to fit any age or fitness level. Finding the right exercise for your mother can allow her to join you working out. First, speak with a physician and discuss starting of an exercise program. It is important to know the proper exercises and workout intensities to adhere to with your mother to lower her risk of injury. A beginner should always speak with a physician before starting an exercise program. Acquainting new members to the fitness facility is an important step. Remember, your mother has not been in this environment before and will need to learn and feel comfortable with the layout, what is offered and what to do once there. It can be easy to forget how intimidating starting something new can be, and for someone who has never experienced this type of setting it can be quite confusing. Many fitness centers use high-tech equipment -- even to gain entry into the facility. Be sure your mother feels confident and that she truly belongs as a member of your club. Be patient and personally introduce gym’s staff to your

mother and explain her situation. Inform the staff of your mother’s new adventure and ask what programs they have available for her. Many facilities have classes for senior members, and not only is the programming appropriate, it also surrounds them with other members in a similar situation. If your facility does not offer senior classes, and even if it does, I would suggest meeting with a fitness professional to properly introduce your mother to the exercise equipment and options for exercise for her individual situation. You may opt to hire a personal trainer for a period of time to help your mother safely begin to exercise. Lastly, your mother may not be able to exercise four to five days a week initially; however, you can find other programs that may be of interest. Many facilities offer classes in the pool or other social-related activities. This can be a great way for your mother to meet other members and feel confident and comfortable in this area. Sharing the exercise experience with your mother is a great gift and something that you can both do together. Although you may not complete the same exercises, you can both share the benefits exercising provides. Always consult a physician before beginning an exercise program. If you have a fitness or training question, write to Andrea in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

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A Feast for the Eyes: Tuna Sandwich and Milk If you ever wanted a reason to sit down to a tuna sandwich and a cold glass of milk, now you have it: Both of those foods can play a part in preventing macular degeneration. Macular degeneration, an eye condition that causes vision problems ranging from poor vision to blindness, mostly affects people over the age of 50. The macula, part of the retina, becomes thin and atrophied, sometimes bleeding. The result is loss of vision, which can mean it’s no longer possible to read or to distinguish faces. There’s no cure for it, and it’s only guessed what the actual causes are. A recently study in London concluded that eating oily fish once a week could reduce the occurrence of macular degeneration, also known as AMD. Omega-3, one of the essential fatty acids, is found in oily fish such as mackerel, salmon and tuna. “Essential” means that

the body can’t produce it and we need to get it from our diet. (Supplements don’t seem to help with macular degeneration.) In another study, Vitamin D, found in milk, was linked to a low incidence of AMD. And yet another study, this one from 2001, concluded that diets that included a lot of omega-3 resulted in low occurrences of AMD. Even more reasons to grab a tuna sandwich: The American Heart Association recommends that we eat oily fish every week. Other research indicates that omega-3 reduces inflammation and can be helpful in preventing heart disease and arthritis. If you want to add omega-3 to your diet, ask your doctor for recommendations as to number of servings and size. A problem with the studies is that while they cited the number of servings of fish in the ideal diet, they didn’t explain exactly what a serving was.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com.

• Some of those who research a goat and named it, with a our sleep habits claim that great lack of creativity, “Bill.” humans’ normal sleep pattern should alternate four hours • “Uncopyrightable” is one of awake with four hours asleep the only 15-letter words in the 24 hours a day. English language that doesn’t repeat a single letter. • It was several hundred years BC when famed Greek • No matter where you live in the philosopher Plato made the world, if you’ve been paying following sage -- and still attention at all during the past relevant -- observation: “One 15 or 20 years you’ve heard of the penalties for refusing to the Nike shoe company’s participate in politics is that slogan “Just Do It.” In the you end up being governed late 1980s, the company by your inferiors.” was filming a commercial in Africa and hired a tribesman • If you pick up those flashy in Kenya to say the slogan (and trashy) tabloid mags in his native tongue. Instead in the checkout line of the he said, “I don’t want these. grocery store, you might want Give me big shoes.” And to consider this: The reading nobody, it seems, caught the level of tabloids is considered substitution. to be 9 to 12 years of age. • If you’re like the average • The first football team on record American, you spend more to have a live animal mascot time watching TV than doing was the United States Naval anything else except sleeping Academy. In 1890, the story and working -- more than four goes, midshipmen acquired hours every day. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.

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1. In 2007, Ivan Rodriguez became the fourth catcher to record 2,000-plus games behind the plate. Name the first three to do it. 2. Name the last time before 2007 that the N.L. World Series representative did not come from the N.L. Central. 3. Who was the first player from the University of South Florida to be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft? 4. How many seasons did the Jazz play in New Orleans theYOUR franchise moved toNESS? Utah in WANT before TO RUN OWN BUSI 1979? Publish a Papart per in 5. Five players have been of Your each Area of the If You Can Provide: Sales Experience · A Computer · Desktop Softwarepast · A Reasonable FinancialCup Investtitle ment DetroitPublishing Red Wings’ four Stanley We (1997, provide the‘02, opportunity success! teams ‘98, ‘08). Nameforthree of them. 1.800.523.3096 6. NameCall the first time three siblings were on the www.tidbitsweekly.com same U.S. Olympic squad. 7. In 2008, Lorena Ochoa became the first LPGA player in 45 years to win four tournaments in consecutive weeks. Who was the last to do it? (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc. Information in the Tidbits® Paper is gathered from sources considered to be reliable but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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ALL THE PRESIDENTS’ TIDBITS

JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY

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As the youngest man elected to the office of president, John Kennedy took up residence at the White House at one of the most exciting times in history. Everyone was looking to the future, from “progressive” music (now known as rock) to the space race. Sadly, Kennedy’s future proved shorter than anyone expected. • John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts. His grandparents were politicians, and his parents were politicians, so it was a safe bet that John would enter the fray as well. With that in mind, he graduated cum laude from Harvard in 1940, with a bachelor’s degree in science. Just a month after receiving his diploma, JFK published his first book, Why England Slept, based on the text in his college thesis. • When it appeared that the U.S. would have no choice but to enter World War II, Kennedy hoped to become an Army officer. Unfortunately, a back injury led to his disqualification. Instead of giving up, John embarked on a physical fitness regiment to overcome the back problems. When he did, he decided to switch gears and apply to the Navy. He took a commission as an ensign just three months before Pearl Harbor. • In 1943, Kennedy found himself in the South Pacific, serving his country as commander of a patrol-torpedo boat known as PT-109. What happened on board his boat that August 3 is movie-worthy; and, indeed, the story has appeared on film. • A Japanese destroyer rammed and sank John’s ship, leaving survivors clinging to wreckage. The group swam three miles to a tiny uninhabited island. After getting his bearings, Kennedy spent much of the next three days swimming out to American shipping lanes, hoping to find a friendly presence. When he met natives on a nearby island, John carved a note in a coconut shell and convinced the natives to deliver it to the next U.S. ship they encountered. They succeeded, and the crew was rescued. • The recurrence of Kennedy’s back problems led to his retirement from the Navy. Once home, he chose to follow his parents’ footsteps and enter politics. In 1946, at only 29 years of age, he won his first election to become a U.S. representative. JFK went on to be re-elected twice, then set his sights on the Senate in 1952. He defeated Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. to win the spot, and wed Jacqueline Bouvier six months into his term.

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Credit-Card Changes Coming Fast and Furious Between now and the end of the year, it’s more important than ever to carefully read any information leaflets sent to you by your credit-card company, as well as scrutinize your statement. With tighter regulations to the Federal Trade Commission Act hanging over their heads, some of credit-card companies are trying to get some changes in while they still can. One of the changes the act will make is that arbitrarily increasing the interest rate on a preexisting balance will be prohibited. Consumers, even those with excellent credit and responsible credit-card management, have been receiving information leaflets saying their interest rates are going up -- for no apparent reason. Read your statements carefully and pay attention to the interest-rate information to make sure it hasn’t changed, and check your available balance. Credit-card companies can (and do) arbitrarily lower your available credit, making it appear that you’re using a larger percentage of available credit, which impacts your credit score and can make your interest rates go up. It’s a vicious cycle. Debit-card transactions will see changes, too. When you use a debit card to make a purchase, especially at a gas station, you’re no longer in control of your money. Let’s say you know you

have $100 in your bank account. You swipe your card and ring up $40 for gas. The station will often put a larger hold on your money, say for perhaps $80. Then you drive to the grocery store where you spend another $50. You assume that, out of the $100, you have $10 left. Wrong. You’re overdrawn by $30 because of the gas station’s hold on your money, and that hold can stay there for days. Solution: At gas stations, pay inside and use the PIN. This will force the transaction to go through at the exact amount of the purchase. Don’t write a check or use your debit card unless the money is in the bank and you’ve verified that it’s been credited to your account. However, if you use the Internet or ATMS to check your account balances, you could be given the wrong information, as the computer is set up to acknowledge deposits, even if they haven’t been credited to your account. David Uffington regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Write to him in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com.

JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY (cont’d): • Kennedy seemed to have the ability to take advantage of every opportunity offered him. While recuperating from back surgery in 1955, he wrote Profiles in Courage, a book which won a Pulitzer Prize. His name was bantered about as the Democratic vice presidential candidate in 1956, but the consensus was that he was too young. The Democrats used his youth to their advantage four years later when – at 43 – John ran for president against Richard Nixon (who was only 47). • JFK won the election, but his life was cut short by an assassin’s bullet in 1963, after just two and a half years in office. As we’ve learned from the untimely deaths of his brother Robert, his wife Jackie, and his son John Junior, the surname Kennedy is as closely associated with tragedy as it is with the world of politics.

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“That’s fantastic!” her husband shouted as he hugged her. “Should I pack for the beach or for the mountains?” “I don’t care!” his wife replied. “Just hurry up and get the heck out!”

QUIZ BITS 1. What musical instrument did Amy Irving Winterproofi ngfilm play in the 1980 By Samantha Mazzotta The Competition? Q: I have a friend who has a fig tree in

his garden. he uproots it, digs 2. Every Whatfall, legendary a bigger hole and buries the tree until got of such a spring. Have Swedish you everband heard start people by winning crazy thing? Iitsknow uproot bulbs and store them through winter, the 1974 Eurovision but not whole trees. --Song LarryContest? in Quincy, Mass.

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1. Carlton Fisk, Bob Boone and Gary Carter. 2. The Florida Marlins in 2003. 3. Cornerback Mike Jenkins in 2008. 4. Five seasons. 5. Kris Draper, Tomas Holmstrom, Nicklas Lidstrom, Kirk Maltby and Darren McCarty. 6. In 1904, gymnasts Edward, Richard and William Tritschler all went to the Olympics. 7. Mickey Wright in 1962 and 1963.

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A: That’s pretty cool, and if it works, great. Keeping a non-native tree alive in a much colder climate is quite a challenge. Your friend’s seasonal routine is a good example of howQUIZ caringBITS for your home’s outdoor items --ANSWERS whether they be plants or tools -- keeps them in good shape and

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trimming weekend left, so stagger your equipment put-away schedule. Start with the gardening tools, for example, leaving the lawnmower for last. POWER CleanWORD hand tools with mild soap and water, rinse and dry thoroughly. Coat Unscramble this word... metal parts with either an all-purpose oil or a thinA layer of N floor Rub HA Mwax. OR Ta thin coat of linseed oil onto Store __ __ __ __wooden __ __ __handles. __ tools properly -- hanging vertically from a Thisfor word means:is best -- away punch board, example, an endurance from moisture or directcontest sunlight. Gas-powered equipment should have the gas tank drained in a well-ventilated area (store the gas in proper containers or discard according to your town’s hazardous materials rules). Inspect the NEXT WEEK: engine’s spark plug -- replace if necessary -- and TIDBITS replace the air filter. Then clean SHINES WITH the blade area and surrounding parts JEWELS & GEMSTONES with soapy water, rinse, dry and spray with an all-purpose oil. Store according to manufacturer directions. WORD POWER ANSWER

A man entered a local newspaper’s pun contest. He sent in ten different puns, hoping that at least one of the puns would win. Unfortunately, no pun in ten did.

The little dog on Petticoat Junction never had a name, he was just referred to as “Dog.” Higgins, who played Dog, went on to star as Benji in the 1974 movie of the same name.

Brown or bare patches of Nuggets of lawn can KNOWLEDGE reseeded InbeCanada, a game of just before the first hard chance is considered of the seeds will afrost. lottery.Most In Canada, tostay run a dormant lottery, you and sprout need a special license. next spring.

That’s why all sweepstakes and random drawing contests have a Send questions or home-repair tips to hom eguru2000@hotmail.com, provision stating that if or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features a Canadian citizen is the Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. winner, he has to answer a skill-testing (c) 2008 Kingquestion Features Synd., Inc. in order to claim his or her prize.

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Famous Birthdays THIS WEEK

Danny Bonaduce – 08-13-59 Steve Martin – 08-14-45 Ben Affleck – 08-15-72 Madonna – 08-16-58 Sean Penn – 08-17-60 Rosalynn Carter – 08-18-27 Tipper Gore – 08-19-48