PUPPY LOVE: If there’s any doubt that Americans love their dogs,
consider a recent survey conducted by the American Kennel Club
which tells us emphatically that dog owners look for canine
qualities in their human partners.

The results:

– 33 percent of men said the number one canine quality they
wished their women had is “always being in a good mood.”

– 66 percent of dog owners said they wouldn’t even consider
dating someone who didn’t like their dog.

– 18 percent of dog owners said they either have included (or
would include) their dog in their wedding ceremony.

– Sixty percent of dog owners said if they split up with their
significant other, they’d definitely get the dog.

We meant to pass along the survey results for Valentine’s Day
but we ran out of room. Still, who can pass up such a survey – and
it’s only one day “late.”

The AKC also provides us a list of qualities and traits that
singles may find appealing and a dog that possesses said
qualities:

Loyal – German shepherd, Norwegian elkhound;

Sense of humor – Boston terrier, French bulldog;

Good listener – poodle, Portuguese water dog;

Athletic – border collie, Doberman;

Faithful servant – Labrador retriever, golden retriever;

Non-snoring – Dachshund, Parson russell terrier;

Ideal couch potato to watch sports – bulldog, Pomeranian;

Intelligent – wire fox terrier.

AND ALSO: To quote Mark Twain: “The more I’m around people, the
more I like dogs.”

GAME DINNER: The First Presbyterian Church, 54 E. Corydon St.,
is holding its second annual game dinner this Saturday to benefit
the Presbyterian Disaster Relief Fund for Hurricane Katrina and
Pakistan earthquake.

The event, slated for 5:30-7 p.m., will feature aðwide selection
of wild game and fish along with non-game items.

Limited seating is available. Tickets may be purchased in
advance by stopping at the church or phoning the church office.

NICKNAMES: Our recent columns on “Jalopy” Suppa and “Crum”
Robarts prompted Elmer DeLucia to draw up a list of other nicknames
he can recall from the good old days.

Do these ring any bells? “Dude,” “Clown,” “Timers,” “Igy,”
“Luds,” “Shine,” “Smucks,” “Porky,” “Tweets,” “Sheik of Lewis Run,”
“Mouse,” “Fox,” “Bat,” “Cabbie,” “Odds & Ends,” “Piccolo Pete,”
“Missing Link,” “Sikes,” “Jap,” and “Fatty.”

We have to admit that these are much more colorful than most of
so-called nicknames we hear today.