The South Bayview Bulldog

Benny, a 4-year-old Wheaton Terrier is one lucky guy, all things considered. On Tuesday he fell 12 or 15 feet down an old well or septic tank beside his home and he’s been there until today. This afternoon (Friday, February 21, 2014) he was rescued by the fire department and animal control officers in a nearly three-hour project. Above we see Benny (left) with his much-relieved owner Audrey Fantauzzi. She was tipped to Benny’s location when a neighbor’s dog began digging at the site. The photo centre reveals Benny down the filthy hole, frightened and tired. The image was captured from video taken with a small camera belonging to CTV.  Fire personnel attached it to a pole and were able to spot the dog’s location. Right, a capture of Benny freshly out of the hole, still wearing the rigging used by rescuers to pluck him from the tank. Benny has now been fed, washed and checked out. All is well. This happened at 136 Spears St. near Weston Road and Humber Boulevard North. Nice job everyone. Dog owners and lovers are burning up Twitter with their joy. 

A man with a knife robbed the Macs Milk Convenience Store at 957 Mt Pleasant Road (at Erskine Ave.) at about 3 a. m. on Thursday, February 20, 2014. The clerk complied with a demand for cash and was not hurt.  The suspect fled the scene eastbound on Erskine. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, black, 6’, brown eyes, medium build.

Hang on South Bayview, here comes the men’s version of Canada versus the USA on ice. The news leads on Google this morning are full of stories about how today’s noon hour (Eastern) tilt will test the Canadians like no other recent match up. But in the U.S., there are plenty of writers ready to say that the Americans had better beware of the Canuck Country-Boy Act. They think we’re sneaky. As one writer said: USA always brings out the best in the team with the maple leaf on the crest. “Right now, they’re the team we have to beat to get the gold spot,’’ USA’s David Backes said. “We’re going to lay everything we have into that game.’’  A fascinating statistic out of this meeting is that 34 players in total will be plying against teammates in the NHL. The winner of this game will go on to meet Sweden for gold this weekend. They beat Finland earlier today. Meantime, everyone is laughing at this wonderful cartoon (inset) in which the Canadian coach begs his men to play like girls. For sure.

The Toronto Leaside Wildcats will be hosting its 35th annual tournament March 7, 8, and 9, 2014.  The Wildcats are the pre-eminent local girls and women’s hockey group and their long history (40 years since the first season) is a testament to its success.In the days to come, we’ll be telling readers more about the tourney. Here’s a charming and informative video telling families about girls hockey. Make sure you catch the self-assured young lady at the end of  the video as she admits that she is “so happy” that her dad enrolled her in the Wildcats even though she didn’t really want to go. It has become “one of my lives outside of school” she says with justifiable pride. 

Tonight’s rush hour was a little surprise made of slippery slush as the late afternoon snowfall melted on main roads. This is the scene on Eglinton Ave. E. just west of Bayview Ave. where it seems that dozens of buses were piled up in the eastbound lanes. The picture was taken on the north side opposite Cleveland Street. It appears that they were stopped on orders of the TTC because of an accident, or maybe because they were unable to stop on the descent to Bayview. Toronto’s weather is set to see more such sloppy conditions as meteorologists warn of a “major storm” that is expected to bring snow, heavy rain, a risk of thunderstorms and strong wind gusts. The Toronto Transit Commission is encouraging customers to plan ahead and allow extra time for commuting during and following the storm. TTC spokesperson Brad Ross said there is not a lot that can be done by the organization in advance of the expected rain to try and limit its potential impact. Read more: http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/major-storm-expected-to-bring-25-to-50-mm-of-snow-and-rain-1.1695247#ixzz2tulDnQPF A rainfall warning effect for much of southern and eastern Ontario, including Toronto. Environment Canada says the storm could bring 25 to 50 millimetres tonight  and Friday. With the return of mild weather, melting snow is increasing concerns about flooding. 

Hey, you can do what you like when you score two goals to beat the USA. Here is a profile from Wikipedia: Marie-Philip Poulin (born March 28, 1991) is a Canadian ice hockey forward, now playing for the Boston University Terriers. Poulin was a member of the Canada women’s national ice hockey teams that won the gold medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver and 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, and had previously played for the Dawson College Blues. She has been referred to as the Sidney Crosby of women’s hockey for her high level of achievement at a young age. She also has the unique distinction of having scored the game winning goal in the gold medal games in both Olympics that she has competed in.