News of the Weird

by Chuck Shepherd

Bright ideas

Kenny Borger survived a one-car crash in upstate New York on May 1, but his passenger was killed, and Borger decided to surreptitiously bring the body home to Hamilton, N.J., in the damaged car and then figure out what to do next. What he decided on was to commandeer a backhoe one night from a previous employer, scoop up the body, drive it about five miles out of town, dig a 13-foot-deep hole with the backhoe, and bury the body. He was later arrested and charged with tampering with evidence. Said Mercer County prosecutor Joseph Bocchini Jr., describing Borger's plan, "I couldn't make this stuff up."

Shopping decisions

Kids help make them

Kids really influence decisions on what a family buys. Here's a look at the percentage of 8- to 12-year-olds who said they decide or help decide family decisions on what to buy:

Video game systems, 97 percent

Clothes, 93 percent

Videos/DVDs, 93 percent

Groceries, 84 percent

Vacations, 62 percent

Cars, 22 percent

Source: Harris Interactive

Sit. Stay. Good boy.

Delectable doggie treats

The next time you head for a walk with your pooch this summer, take along a treat that will cool him off as well as satisfy his taste buds.

Ice Pudding is a tasty concoction that is made from healthy, all natural non-dairy ingredients. It can be served creamy or frozen and comes in mint and vanilla flavors.

If your dog has an aversion to ice, try ThunderDog Power Bars, an all natural electrolyte replacement system for dogs. The power bar is loaded with vitamins and minerals to restore canine energy levels.

Also newly available is Stuff ‘N Tail Mix, which bears a close resemblance to human quality trail mixes both in appearance and quality, except the natural treat has been formulated just for canines.

Web siting

Fido finds you love, friendship

Rob Yau noticed that when he walked his dog, Hershey, near his home in the San Francisco Bay area, he made new friends easily. "People would approach us," he says.

So three months ago he launched www.datemypet.com , a social network of animal lovers who bond with each other over their pets.

Maybe Tinker, your Pomeranian, needs a playmate or you want to vent about the antics of Jess, the Siamese cat. Perhaps you long to find a soul mate who understands the attention you give to your menagerie. Or you're wondering why Sam, the cocker spaniel, hates the current boyfriend.

Sign up on this Web site and find an e-mail correspondent to hear your angst or a neighbor to share your lab's morning run.

At first, Yau, a software consultant, had in mind a dating service but he expanded the mission when he started to hear from married people who wanted to be a part of pet talk. Now members can arrange play dates, participate in a chat room, e-mail stories across the country or look for love.

The most unusual pet so far was a cockroach allegedly adopted by a New York man.

"He heard from all these women," Yau says. But most pets are more traditional, mostly cats and dogs but including some horses.

The site has attracted members across the country, and interest is on the rise in Europe and Asia. It has sponsored fund-raisers for ASPCA and other animal-related charities. So far membership is free. Yau says he is considering a more elite level that would carry a fee.

-- From staff and wire reports