SOLANA BEACH -- Robert Thomas Northcut, a homeless man who has walked the city's streets for a decade, got a little impatient yesterday as he waited to be reunited with his dog.

"All I want is my damn dog back," he repeated while crouching in front of the Do-It-Yourself Dog Wash. A couple of his Solana Beach friends, including Chris Tatum, owner of the dog wash, were there to wait with him.

He relaxed when T.J., his German shepherd, arrived from the animal shelter in Carlsbad, where the dog had been held since last week.

"I got him back," Northcut said as he walked T.J. -- or T.J. walked him -- along Acacia Avenue. "Everything's fine now."

Yesterday, the county's Dangerous Dog Task Force decided it would not issue a notice declaring the dog a public nuisance for barking and lunging at city and transit workers in Solana Beach. County animal control officers say T.J. bit a man in May.

Lt. Dean Maier, the animal control officer who made the final decision, could not be reached yesterday for comment.

Lt. Danielle Spilker, who previously handled the case, said she wasn't sure why the task force chose to release the dog.

"Usually when they release them at this point, there's not enough of a case," Spilker said.

Northcut, 49, was arrested last week on outstanding warrants. He had been cited earlier for trespassing on a city-owned median where a World War II memorial sits. Northcut, who said he's a Navy veteran, and T.J. had set up camp beside the concrete memorial on Plaza Street near South Coast Highway 101.

T.J. was taken to the county animal shelter in Carlsbad when his owner was arrested. Although Northcut was released after a few days, the dog was held until the task force could further examine the case.

Jennifer Lynch, a Vista attorney who appeared in court on Northcut's behalf, paid a $25 impound fee and a $17 licensing fee to release the dog. The money had been donated by the public. Residents and veterans who wanted to help had flooded her office with calls and e-mails.

"I'm not sure why (the task force) released the dog," Lynch said. "I can only hope that people's concern helped in getting the dog back sooner rather than later."

Northcut admits his dog has bitten people. He says T.J. is "feisty" and protective of his master. The dog had been abused before being rescued in Tijuana and nursed back to health by Northcut and Tatum.

"We don't want any more problems," Tatum said as T.J. tried to knock the muzzle off with a paw. "He'll just bounce around for a little while, but he's going to get used to it."

actually TODAY is the MARINE CORP'S birthday

A MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDANT OF THE MARINE CORPS

As we commemorate the 226^th anniversary of the founding of our Corps, Marines everywhere can take pride in their contributions to our great nation. We are a Corps born of an act of Congress, consecrated in sacrifice, steeped in tradition, and tested in battle. Our earned legacy is filled with the names of many great Marines: Lejeune, Vandegrift, Puller…Butler, Bestwick, Daly -- who fill the annals of our lineage with their inspired acts of vision and gallantry.

Heroic actions on the battlefield are a hallmark of our legacy. Equally compelling are the countless heroic deeds of many other Marines who exemplify the virtue of placing the needs of others above their own. Whether it be a Marine saving an Okinawan child from drowning, or pulling people from a burning wreck, or a family extending itself to provide a safe, nurturing home for disadvantaged children, our lives are indeed full of heroism. Today we celebrate these deeds, not as exploits, but as contributions to the greater good -- circumstances where Marines take care of not just their own, but reach out to care for others.

A lone Marine standing vigil on a dark night in Kosovo; a Marine Reservist serving as a firefighter or police officer who responds to an emergency in his community; a civilian Marine working alongside his counterparts in uniform who shares the perils and realities of a terrorist attack; and a committed spouse who finds the time to serve as an advocate for family programs in addition to making a home and supporting the family -- all are among the heroes of all generations. We are indebted to them for their example of strength and their presence of character. They embrace our core values and live them to the fullest. They inspire us to do the same. We admire and appreciate their example as we celebrate the birth of our Corps and our rich heritage. As our motto enjoins us, let us always be faithful, to our God, our country, our Corps and to our families. Let us also resolve to be always faithful to those Marines who have bestowed upon us our proud legacy of sacrifice, courage, and victory against any foe.

To all Marines, past and present, who uphold the finest traditions of our Eagle, Globe, and Anchor, Happy Birthday and…

Semper Fidelis,

J. L. JONES

General, U.S. Marine Corps

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