THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

VIOLET, La. — Double-bunked behind the bars at the overrun St. Bernard Animal Shelter are more victims of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill: shiny-coated Labrador retrievers, long-haired Chihuahuas and a fluffy Shih Tzu.

Among the more typical skinny, stray mutts are healthy, seemingly well-tended dogs whose owners, because of the massive spill, suddenly don’t have the time or money to keep them.

“It’s the economy, the uncertainty of the future, for sure,” said shelter director Beth Brewster, who saw 117 owners surrender their animals last month — up from 17 in June 2009. (more…)

McCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — About 5 in the afternoon, they started to gather on this central Pennsylvania college campus: The shih tzu brothers Boomer and Otis; Maggie, a lumbering chocolate lab; Cole and Chase, the David and Goliath of the bunch, of course named after Philadelphia Phillies; and the talented Bunsen, the boxer mix who has his own blog and can eat treats he flips off his nose.

Then it was time to send in the homesick freshmen. (more…)

KRISHA WILLIAMS TURBEVILLE

ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE

Skye the Dog is famous around Little Rock for boosting the moods of patrons in her job as greeter, always eager to chase her red ball through the open spaces of Cantrell Gallery.

The 3-year-old border collie is most loved by children who happen by the shop at 8206 Cantrell Road, but has drawn her share of grown-ups as well. (more…)