There’s something oh-so-cool and downright emotional about an animal receiving an honor for helping our men and women defending our freedom.

Maybe it’s because I believe animals have no ill-will.  Sure, there are the basic survival instincts, but I’m pretty sure they’re not sitting around gossiping and planning Desperate Housewives-type revenge on one another.

So, when the news came today of Treo, a black lab, receiving the Dickin Medal for animal bravery in war, I was particularly interested in what Treo did to deserve the honor.  Turns out, the Royal Army Veterinary Corps arms and explosives dog twice found hidden bombs while serving in Afghanistan, thus saving many lives.

Treo is way cool.

So, after sniffing around a bit, I found that numerous pigeons, horses and a cat have also received this award.

Wait.  A cat?

I seriously thought that was written as a prank.  So I searched it.

I’ll be goll dang.  Sure enough…there it was.

From Wikipedia:  1949: Simon – the ship’s cat on HMS Amethyst during the Yangtze Incident, noted for surviving injuries from a cannon shell, raising morale and killing off a rat infestation during the incident, by doing this duty despite being wounded. He was raised to the fanciful rank of “Able Seacat” and awarded a campaign medal. The medal was sold by the Royal Navy and is now a valuable collectors item, partly because Simon has been the only cat to win the medal.

Maybe I’m not hanging out with cool-enough humans, but I don’t know too many everyday people among us who are willing to kill rats while dealing with cannon shell wounds.  Oh, and try raising morale while you’re at it!

Here’s to Simon and many more than nine lives where he is now!

From the Associated Press - A man who walked into a Michigan diner with a 5-inch knife stuck in his chest ordered a coffee and complained only about the cold weather.The 52-year-old man, who has not been identified, called a 911 operator in Warren on Sunday night to ask that an ambulance be sent to Bray’s, an eatery in neighboring Hazel Park.

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — It’s become an annual winter tale: A young boy gets his tongue stuck to a metal pole, perhaps as the result of a dare.  This year, the scene straight out of the movie “A Christmas Story” unfolded Tuesday morning in Boise with a boy of about 10.

Boise firefighters used a glass of warm water to free the unidentified boy from the metal fence pole.  Fire Capt. Bill Tinsley says the boy’s tongue was bleeding a little, but he was OK and allowed to continue walking to school.Rescue workers responded after a woman driving by saw the boy and called 911.

Last year, the unlucky boy was a 10-year-old from Hammond, Ind., especially apt, since the 1983 movie is set in a fictional city based on Hammond.

WOLF NAMED DIRECTOR OF WILDLIFE DIVISION 

AUSTIN, Texas –After a nationwide search, Clayton Wolf has been selected to lead the Wildlife Division at Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department.

Wolf brings 20 years experience as a wildlife biologist in Texas, the last six as the agency’s big game program director. Headquartered in Austin, he begins his job Monday, Nov. 16.

“Clayton has demonstrated strong leadership skills and an inherent ability to develop consensus among diverse groups for the greater good of  Texas wildlife,” said TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith. “He is a consummate conservation professional.”

As TPWD’s Big Game Program Director since 2003, Wolf has overseen management of  Texas’ internationally-acclaimed white-tailed deer herd.

“Clayton’s record of accomplishment in the big game program, coupled with his ‘can-do’ attitude and the trust and respect he has earned from private landowners, various constituent groups, and his professional colleagues, has well-equipped him to serve as Wildlife Division Director,” said Ross Melinchuk, TPWD Deputy Executive Director for Natural Resources.

During his tenure, Wolf guided expansion of buck antler restrictions designed to improve deer age class structure across more than 100 counties. He also coordinated with stakeholders and advisory groups to implement massive changes to the state’s deer breeder program and helped develop measures to protect  Texas deer populations from diseases, such as Chronic Wasting Disease.

“With the continued increase in the state’s human population and urban sprawl,  we have quite a challenge ahead of us,” Wolf said. “It is my goal as wildlife division director to help ensure our resources are focused on the things we do best — working with private landowners and land managers to help them manage and conserve wildlife habitat. If we can do this successfully, and I know we can, we will be able to ensure that Texans continue to have places where they can enjoy Texas wildlife, whether hunting or wildlife viewing.”

Wolf began his career with TPWD in 1993 as a district biologist for the Pineywoods, where he helped implement a new habitat-driven permitting process for managing antlerless deer on private lands and assisted in the restoration effort for eastern wild turkey.

In 2001, Wolf became TPWD’s white-tailed deer program leader where he coordinated statewide activities related to management, regulations and research efforts.

Wolf received his Master’s degree from Texas A&M University and completed his undergraduate studies at Stephen F. Austin State University. He is a Certified Wildlife Biologist with The Wildlife Society.

Photo by KTBS Photojournalist Casey Habich

Photo by Casey Habich, KTBS Photojournalist

Someone posted this sign this morning in the middle of the traffic circle at the bottom of ‘thrill hill’ on Gilbert Drive in Shreveport. 

City Councilman Michael Long wanted the traffic circle built in response to complaints about speeding on the street.  Director of Operational Services Mike Strong says the circle is working to slow motorists.

However, there is a big outcry of opposition to the traffic circle.  More than 600 people have joined the Facebook page called ”Put the thrill back in Thrill Hill.” 

Last week, a motorist crashed into the circle, unearthing the pavers.  Strong says he plans on meeting with Long and City Engineer Ron Norwood about the future of the traffic circle.  He says after those meetings, a decision will be made either this week or next. 

Here’s what Gilbert Hill/Thrill Hill in Shreveport looks like today.  Seems it’s been decorated with yellow and purple balloons, not quite visible with my cell phone pic. I could have gotten closer, but to be honest, I was afraid I would be run over if I crossed over on foot.

I talked with a nearby homeowner, who might not have realized she was talking to a reporter, so she’ll remain anonymous.  (Damn, I’m not as famous as I thought I was!)  She told me she was surprised by the city effort and wishes she were informed about it before crews went to work and offered the chance to provide input.   She talked of two crashes there since construction began (SPD confirms at least one when I spoke to them a week ago).  The neighbor wishes the city had put more thought into planning the roundabout - maybe widening the street around it for safer maneuvering.

Today, I witnessed some cars slowing down and others actually speeding up as if the roundabout were a challenge to be met.

For the city’s side on this issue, please scroll down and read about my interview with Director of Operational Services, Mike Strong.

Stay tuned.  This issue seems to be going around in circles.