Print this story | Email this story | Post A Comment | Digg | del. The doggy life vest is one of the unique items for pets available at Zorro’s on 434 North Columbia Street in Covington, a new specialty shop for dogs. Stocking the life vests, waterproof collars and a variety of T-shirts such as “Been there, chewed that,” Pullig also has an array of gifts for dog lovers, including handmade dog bone jewelry by local metalsmith and jewelry artist Becky Burt. Pullig also carries other artwork including portraits of your pet by her husband, Ted; ceramic wall hangings by artist Alice Gidley from Austin, Texas; and metal flowers by Sarah Whatley. Costuming dogs for Halloween and Mardi Gras has become big in the doggie fashion world, and Pullig is preparing with LSU tiger costumes, fleur-de-lis shirts for Saints fans, and other costumes. Pullig started the store because she saw a need for interesting, unique pet items for her own dogs available locally.

At 95-years old, Elba Ruilova still teaches piano lessons four afternoons a week from her west Tampa home. Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama has reportedly told his two daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, that the family will get a puppy after November — no matter the electoral outcome. Cast your vote for the bichon frise, Chinese crested, poodle, soft-coated wheaten terrier or miniature schnauzer at www. Register for free breaking news alerts and morning headlines .

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On this Friday afternoon, the diminutive white dog, her owners, Richard Hinchey, 60, and Susan Cuprill, 57, and her stuffed companion find themselves at the Best In Show Pet Resort in Mineola, where Molly is scheduled to spend the weekend in a walk-in-closet-sized suite with a “Lady and Tramp” theme — not to mention a flat-screen television, designer dog bed and Disney prints on the wall. Then, walking her past the huge window overlooking the play area — where Elvis the puggle is immersed in a game of catch-me with Murray the wheaten terrier, and another Molly, this time a Portuguese water dog, barks incessantly — Zaneville retires with his new charge to the suite area. In the suites’ common area, a white beagle mix named Serif — she’s staying in the Underdog room — has piddled on the faux sisal rug. A college-age pet-care technician — there is one to every 10 dogs in the suite area — cuddles Martini, an impossibly cute French bulldog who sleeps with a crocheted blanket from home.

Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, have promised their young daughters — Malia, 9, and Sasha, 7 — that they can have a dog when this hectic campaign is over. But whatever the Obamas choose, the national animal welfare group Best Friends Animal Society wants them to adopt that dog from an animal shelter — not buy the pooch at a pet store. Tony Barboza , a Colorado native who moved to Southern California as a college student, is a reporter for The Times’ Orange County edition, where he covers the beaches and the city of Irvine. Zoo’s now-deceased elephant Gita (no connection between her demise and the feeding) and spent hours interviewing pit bulls at the Laurel Canyon Dog Park. Francisco Vara-Orta has been a staff writer at The Times since 2006, writing about birth control for squirrels in Santa Monica and pigeons in Hollywood, the hidden culture of TV pet adoptions and puppy theft. California/Local | National | World | Sports Opinion | Entertainment | Travel | Health L.