The South Bayview Bulldog

Most people would say that Jarad Frank really should have known better. The comments on YouTube are merciless. Frank stood within inches of a speeding train in Peru to take a selfie and got kicked in the face by someone sitting on the engine. Out of  that however has come a story from the CBC that Frank is now being offered some sort of licensing deal for his popular YouTube video that might make him anywhere from $2 to $16 per 1,000 views. Since the video has logged more than two millions views already, this could represent a very nice consolation for the bruised Mr.Frank. The gentleman is from Regina and has told CBC that he will be working with a California-based company called Jukin Media. Quite amazing all around. Please don’t stand next to any trains on the strength of this information. The endorsement is no good is you’re dead. 

Runaway boy taken to hospital

A 16-year-old boy has “run away from home” in a most dangerous and spectacular way. After having a fight with his parents, the San Jose, California boy somehow got over fencing at the local airport and climbed into the wheelwell of a Boeing 767. He apparently had no idea where the flight was going. When it landed nearly six hours later in Maui, Hawaii, the boy tumbled out onto the runaway and began to wander around aimlessly. The FBI call it a miracle the boy has survived the minus 60 degree temperatures and thin air at 38,000 feet. “He was unconscious for pretty much the entire flight,” said an official. “I imagine he must have blacked out at about 10,000 feet.” Security video indicated the teen was able to breach San Jose’s Mineta International Airport security and climb undetected into the wheel well of Hawaiian Airlines Flight 45.  As this story spread, some medical authorities said it must be a hoax. The boy could not have survived the cold and lack of oxygen. But others say the exploit seems to be genuine. 

Toronto, Leaside and all South Bayview dog owners will want to be aware of this brazen theft of a French bulldog from a tattoo parlour in Vancouver.  A woman (inset) walked out of the downtown studio while its owner was just a few feet away. Shaughnessy Keely, who manages the studio said it happened Thursday evening when the woman came into the business and started looking around. Keely’s 10-month-old dog, Chloe, is often at work with her. The suspect asked to pet and hold the bulldog, which is a common request from many customers. The video is chilling as Keely (wearing a red toque) opens the door from the staff only area to let Chloe out so the women can pick her up. The thief meanders toward the door and then breaks into a run. Staff members run madly after the woman but it is too late. This all happens as Keely is distracted. The suspect gets into a black car with no licence plates that was waiting out front. It speeds away. The whole incident took 90 seconds — and was caught on the store’s surveillance camera. Keely has shared the video on Instagram and YouTube in hopes someone will help identify the woman and bring Chloe home. The French bulldog weighs about 19 pounds and was wearing a pink hoodie, pink harness and striped leash when she was taken.  

A portrait of the Queen reveals an alert and cheerful monarch as she nears her 88th birthday. The new image was created by British photographer David Bailey. The black and white photo, which shows the Queen smiling, was taken in March. She is pictured wearing pearls, and a dress by Angela Kelly, who has served as personal assistant and senior dresser to her since 2002. The constitutional role of the monarch is underlined by the government’s role in the taking of this picture. It was the prime minister who chose the photographer and not the Queen. It’s also a measure of how economics now shapes the royal function. Kings and Queens of England are no longer merely heads of state and defenders of the church.  The British monarchy is one of the biggest drivers of tourism in the UK, and brings in an estimated £500m a year from overseas tourism, according to Visit Britain. The photograph, taken at Buckingham Palace, was commissioned on behalf of the government’s “Great” campaign, which aims to promote trade, tourism, investment and education throughout the UK. Over the course of his career, Bailey — appointed a CBE by the Queen in 2001 for services to art — has taken pictures of The Beatles, Diana, Princess of Wales and models Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss. Bailey grew up in the east end of London and made his name working for Vogue magazine in the 1960s. The 76-year-old said: “I’ve always been a huge fan of the Queen. She has very kind eyes with a mischievous glint. I’ve always liked strong women, and she is a very strong woman.”