Pet won’t join Buehrle in Toronto
When pitcher Mark Buehrle was traded from Miami to Toronto this offseason, it created an issue for the family.
No, not whether or not it should move out of the United States but whether it could bring its pet dog to Canada. The Buehrles own a pit bull named Slater, and an ordinance in Ontario bans owning pit bulls as pets.
So, instead of abandoning Slater, Buehrle’s wife, two children and three other dogs will remain in the U.S. with Slater and let Buehrle live by himself in Toronto.
“We’re not trying to make people feel sorry for us,” Buehrle told ESPN.com. “I know it’s part of baseball and every person deals with it, but this is our first time being away from each other all season. We’re going to travel and see each other and make it work.”
It was suggested to the Buehrles that they leave Slater with a friend for the six months during the season, but Buehrle’s wife, Jamie, says they would not leave the dog behind just as they wouldn’t leave one of their children.
“To me, that would be like if we moved somewhere that only allowed boys,” she said. “I wouldn’t leave my daughter behind. Six or seven months is a lot of time. Slater would adjust. He’s real easygoing. But I don’t want him to bond with someone else. He’s our dog.”
Slater has to be relieved. At least Michael Vick didn’t offer to look after him.
■ ‘FRIENDLY’ ADVICE? — Poor Tim Tebow. It’s bad enough people in the media always are suggesting how he handle his career. Now he has a murder suspect giving him advice.
As part of the rambling manifesto penned by Christopher Dorner, a former Los Angeles policeman who is accused of killing three people and has triggered a manhunt in California and Nevada, he decided to suggest to Tebow that he find greener pastures.
“Tebow, I really wanted to see you take charge of an offense again and the game,” Dorner’s rant began. “You are not a good QB by todays standards, but you are a great football player who knows how to lead a team and WIN. You will be ‘Tebowing’ when you reach your next team. I have faith in you. Get out of that circus they call the Jets and away from the reality TV star, Rex Ryan, and Mark Rapist Sanchez.”
“Rapist”? That must have been unnerving for Sanchez to read. As for Tebow, he can find comfort in the fact that not everyone hates him.
■ SPLIT LOYALTIES — National signing day brings out the best and worst in people. If it’s not some kid’s mother absconding with her son’s national letter of intent to prevent him from leaving home, it’s a signee telling the school he will attend that he loves that school’s rival.
Reon Dawson, a defensive back from Trotwood, Ohio, signed with Michigan on Wednesday. And he told the Dayton (Ohio) Daily News, “Until I die, I’m gonna be a Buckeye fan even though I’m going (to Michigan). When we play (OSU), I’m gonna still bring my ‘A’ game. But, I love Ohio State.”
Hey, kid, if you want to keep that poster of Terrelle Pryor on your bedroom wall at home, fine. But you might be well served to leave that Buckeye stuff in Trotwood when you check into your Michigan dorm.
COMPILED BY STEVE CARP
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
