Good morning, Michael Vick.
Good luck tonight in that debut with the Eagles.
But, don't expect to make everyone happy.
Tom Hickey Sr., founder of DogPAC and a member of Pennsylvania's Dog Law Advisory Board, has started a petition demanding the Eagles donate to organizations that protect dogs the same amount of money that they're paying you.
Nearly 3,500 people have signed the petition (savingpuppies.com) online.
Sounds like you're not quite out of the doghouse yet.
Social evolution
Katie Reyes, one of two girls competing in the Little League World Series at Williamsport, Pa., hit a two-out single in the sixth and final inning to drive in two runs and give Canada a 14-13 win over Germany.
Finally, confirmation: It is now a compliment to be told that "you throw like a girl".
Much ado about nothing
Toronto newspapers and radio continue to be filled with stories from Team Canada's Olympic orientation camp despite the fact that the only score that means anything will be the one the players put up on the golf course. There hasn't been this much fuss made about human bonding since Brad met Angelina.
Canadiana primer
An old school friend rang up last week.
She noted she had spent so much of the past two decades in Toronto's aging hockey rinks that she was on a first-name basis with some of the more personable rats.
But, enough about the referees.
So, how do you know if you've been spending too much time at the rink?
Simple. You have a hobby. But it consists of driving hundreds of miles to Timbit towns that even a GPS can't find just so you can sit in a cold arena and yell "Shoot" at your kid. Who can't. Shoot, that is.
Your idea of luxury transport is a new van with room for six hockey bags.
Your idea of fine dining is a Big Mac.
You are making holiday plans for the summer and suddenly realize it has been 10 years since you've gone anywhere that didn't include a brochure that had "Hockey Camp" written on it somewhere.
Anyone but Jim
The NHL has filed a bid to buy the Phoenix Coyotes rather than let Jim Balsillie join their league.
When it comes to NHL owners, I haven't seen people so scared of being near someone since a kid in my Grade 5 class yelled "Cooties!"
Hold your fire
The Pan Am Games evaluation committee is in Toronto this weekend to check out the city's bid to host the 2015 Games.
Memo to organizing committee: If the bad guys start shooting, remember, just tell the committee it's the national team practising for the 50-metre pistol event. Then, duck.
And, you're welcome. We just want to be helpful.
BILL.LANKHOF@SUNMEDIA.CA
