Those who frequent the strip of downtown parkettes stretching from Dundonald to Charles Streets have been wondering what happened to the mysterious monument to "Barney." In autumn, the memorial stone went missing after having been damaged, but has now been reinstated onto its concrete base just off Gloucester Street in the Norman Jewison Parkette. But what's the story behind this odd little commemoration? It's actually a drinking fountain for dogs—not a grave marker—and was......

The problem of abandoned and unwanted pets is not unique to Toronto. A recent Toronto Star article, however, has highlighted the plight of abandoned animals who may no longer be collected by City of Toronto shelters due to budget concerns, ultimately leading to an overflow of dogs and cats in neighbouring municipalities. According to the article, one of the biggest fears is an explosion in the feral feline population, since—as everyone knows—cats are raging......

With the provincial election upon us, Toronto's Davenport riding is in for a shakeup as a new candidate enters the fray: Lucky, Felis catus siamensis. Presumably asking for a ballot write-in, Lucky's campaign statement outlines a concern with the declining quality of life in Toronto's neighbourhoods, and promises to bring accountability to the riding. "If something stinks, I'll sniff it out," he says. "I'm your best pest control." And why should Torontonians send a cat......

Because there really isn’t any way to say no to a group of people dedicated to saving stray kittens and cats, Torontoist would like to encourage everyone to check out the Annex Cat Rescue’s yard sale this Saturday. Founded in 1997, the Annex Cat Rescue began as a small group of volunteers and has developed into a large network of foster homes for kittens and tame strays. This group of dedicated volunteers also coordinates an......

Canada's first same-sex marriage was performed here, and according to 2006 census data released today, nearly a quarter of same-sex common law couples in Toronto have officially tied the knot. Strangely enough, hetero marriages haven't crumbled en masse since the unions became legal country-wide in 2005, nor have people started lobbying to marry their pets. Someone should tell the Americans. This is the first time that the question was asked on a census, with 7,465......

Walk into any mall gift shop that sells plush animals and mugs that boast "World's Best Teacher," and you'll likely come across products by Ganz. Until recently, the Toronto-based company was known for articles du fromage such as little wooden signs that welcome visitors to one's garden and pillows that claim A Mother's Love is Forever, yet these days, parents know Ganz by a different name—Webkinz. For those in the child-free set, Webkinz are......

In the summer heat, Toronto’s downtown can seem like a sun-baked, arid domain of asphalt and glass. Scattered throughout the concrete desert, however, are a few oases of green. The Downtown Discovery Walk links the squares, parks and parkettes that can be found in the city’s busy core. And don't worry too much about the heat; there are plenty of places to duck into for shade, refreshments, and air-conditioned comfort along this route. One......

Study finds that Ontario children's group homes are like jails. Managers of group homes dismissed charges that their homes were Dickensian by pointing out that their children are not highly skilled pickpockets. Yet. Supreme Court to hear Windsor man's "fly phobia" case. Waddah Mustapha found a fly in his bottled water in 2001, and claims to have suffered immense mental damage and a phobia of flies as a result. He was awarded over $300,000 in......

A report released yesterday by the Conference Board of Canada raised an alarm that Canada is in the doldrums when it comes to innovation. But after discovering this poster (at right) on the bulletin board at the Valu Pet Store at College and Augusta, the suggestion our society is failing to innovate seems mistaken. This event—The Hairless Pet Picnic—sends a clear signal that as a city, we are indeed innovating and, by so doing, teetering......

We at Torontoist love our pets, and yours too, and we’d be happy if they didn’t do much else but shower us with undeserved admiration and give us a little snuggle when we get home after a hard day of Torontoisting. So you’ve got to know that we’re impressed when we come across pets that not only take care of the basics, but actually save lives to boot. The 39th annual Purina Animal Hall of......

The TTC proposes an "experiment" to make King Street West (between John and Spadina) a pedestrian-and-streetcar-only zone during the summer of 2008, much to the chagrin of business owners on the restaurant strip. However, the plan would allow a single lane to remain open for taxis and deliveries. 15 British sailors were seized from their ship in the Persian Gulf by an Iranian naval vessel. This is going to be awkward... One of Parti......

Conservative finance monkey Jim Flaherty on the budget: "We chose to support hard-working families." The budget has won favour with the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois, saving Stephen Harper from a dangerous early election. Flaherty recommended that Toronto "be prudent in their budgeting", dismissing David Miller's One Cent Now and transit plans. Ontario schools will be getting a boost in cash flow after Education Ministrer Kathleen Wynne announced a $781 million hike yesterday. Music, art......

There are more wild animals walking amongst us than there are in cages at the Metro Zoo. Everything from foxes to deer can be found within our city limits. But perhaps the most misunderstood is the coyote. Most of the time, we don't see animals like coyotes because they prefer to stay clear of humans. But longer daylight hours signal the start of mating season, so your chances of spotting a bachelor male looking for......

With visions of sugar plum fairies dancing through their heads, the -Ists began to get into that holiday mood. Well, some did. Austinist wasn't as the NY Times dissed them and a local Tex-Mex institution sold out. Making them feel better was music, sweet music and the local theater getting name checked on "Heroes" Chicagoist tried to wrap their heads around a religious movie being banned from a Christmas themed park. To wash that......

Torontoist has noticed an abundance of lost pet notices downtown this month, and what could be sadder, really? We don't know if it's a time of year when pets go missing more often, but we do know it's unlikely to be a result of a Halloween ritual blood sacrifice. Many shelters south of the border report that most of their missing animal calls come on the heels of July 4th fireworks, which often scare a......

If you’re hiking, consider charging up your iPod, as Seattlest finds out that a man lost during a hike was found by the glow of his iPod. That cleverness seems to be devoid in cops who were using police cruiser instant messaging clients - although we imagine IMs “so are you nakie” to be included in cop shows, just for realism. If only the cops were busting the Hummer-driving jerk who made a poor......

Over at blogTO, a reader's unbearably cute dog (above) has gone missing. We like cute puppies (who doesn't?), so we thought we'd help in the search. Details follow. Missing puppy in the Queen/Strachan area goes by the name Dignan or Digs. He is German Shephard/Lab mix, black with tan markings, and cute lil eyebrows. The pooch is only 7 months old and has never been on his own before. Naturally, responds well to treats......

Canadian films don't make money. It's almost a certainty in the Canadian film industry but once in a while a film comes along that gives us hope. This year Fido, just might be that film. Our glowing review is here and other bloggers agree that the zombie comedy (zombedy?) about a '50s community where zombies are pets was the right choice to open the Canada First series. Popped Culture's Jeremy Barker gives thumbs up to......

A recent article in the Toronto Star about the pressing issue of dogs on restaurant patios caught our eye. The piece referenced a Gabby’s franchise which had previously allowed the practice, but which, according to the article, no longer did. Since the place is right down the street, we leashed up the dog (not purchased especially for this story) and raced over to investigate. Our worst fears were realized. Dogs had indeed been relegated to......

We know it's hot out there. It's so hot that last night was on record as the hottest night in Toronto ever. According to electricity companies we were just shy of the power record yesterday so keep up the good work everyone, don't do stupid things like blast your air conditioner and open your windows. Heck, try to avoid the A/C all together. A Coffee Time in Scarborough was trashed and robbed by rowdy......

Torontoist will take a look each week at what's being said on the people's perpendicular press on and around the Danforth. Given the absence of wooden poles and the city's policy of scrape, scrape, scrape, vox pop isn't as loud as it used to be. Pity. 1. Attention all residents "Ward 30"Don't forget summer is a time of year to be extra careful at parks and pools in all communities. *children are priceless *pets are......

This summer is looking as bloody as last summer. Early this morning a man was shot dead on a rooftop patio in the club district. Two others were wounded. A woman's body was found in a garbage bag in Etobicoke. Police think someone killed her as long as week ago. Police are also trying to confirm the identity of a teenage boy who was beaten to death and who collapsed in Flemingdon Park near Don......

Shanghaiist probably knows a little more about China than the Chicago Sun-Times. Giving them the benefit of the doubt on that one. The city does to have a music scene. Don't even front like they don't. They also have Dorito bananas and white guys shopping for wives. What they don't have is any more tolerance for jaywalkers. Bostonist sees Boston and Somerville each whip out their art and face off. A plagiarized novel is the......

The jury deliberating on the Lisa Posluns case was withheld some very gruesome evidence on the history of accused rapist/murderer Nelson DeJesus. The Star has the details here, and the Sun doesn't get left behind either. Members of Toronto's Chinese community protested over Rogers' attempts to bring a number of stations owned by the Chinese government to Canada. The protesters argue that the stations are propaganda, Rogers argues that they're merely trying to serve the......

TOist tipster Sarah T sends us the following dispatch about a wooden performer you won't want to miss: Vancouver-based pianist and producer Dan Werb brings his psychedelic funk-infused electronic pop act, Woodhands, to the Drake underground tonight. (Head straight for the lower level, my pets. And try to avert your eyes from the overdressed hordes on the way.) According to the Montreal Mirror, Werb and his delightful ensemble bring the 1970s into the 23rd century.......

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