Free Republic

Five years later, many Americans still find it hard to face the assault on humanity that took place Sept. 11, 2001. In Nona Kilgore Bauer's impressive book "Dog Heroes of September 11th, A Tribute to America's Search and Rescue Dogs," the author introduces more than 75 highly trained dogs from across the country who helped bring closure to families affected by the terrorist attacks. Interviews with owners reveal that, for many dogs, a reward for a rescue can be a spirited game of tug. Yet with fewer than two dozen survivors found and more than 2,000 killed, the dogs who...

Cultivating a nose for mealybugs By JULISSA McKINNON Register Staff Writer Sunday, March 5, 2006 1:13 AM PST A litter of week-old golden retrievers look more like big hamsters than canines. But these nine tiny balls of fur are a big source of hope for Napa Valley growers whose vineyards are blighted by infestations of vine mealybug. For the past three years, the near-invisible pest has vexed growers as it clings to vines, sapping their energy, inviting molds and viruses and ruining grape crops. If left unchecked, mealybugs can kill a vine within five years. Currently there are 36 mealybug...

Dear Readers: This is my first post on FreeRepublic, and I hope it will be the best place to reach the greatest number of people with the following message... This subject is of importance and concern to us all -- I am providing the link to the online petition site for "Molly's Law", which I hope you will visit and read what we, as a group of search dog handlers from all areas of Law Enforcement and Search and Rescue across the country, are working on to help combat the problem of lost, missing and abducted children and adults. http://www.PetitionOnline.com/MollyLaw/petition.html...