Pippa is a sweet, 4-year-old, border terrier. She may be a bit shy when she meets new people, but with a little time, she opens up and shows her peppy, cuddly personality.

With the onslaught of Oscar contenders that debuted last November, there’s a good chance that a little-seen indie gem, “Starlet,” managed to fall off your radar during its short, theatrical run. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2011 SXSW film festival, “Starlet” explores the unlikely friendship between a cheerful, aspiring actress (played by the winsome Dree Hemingway) and a cantankerous, elderly widow (the late Besedka Johnson).

What’s big in Japan now has the potential to be big in the East Valley, thanks to Lulubell Toy Bodega in downtown Mesa.

LOS ANGELES — A toy poodle that was rushed to the vet after swallowing a tube sock. A Great Dane that had to be operated on three times for eating his owner's shoulder pads.

LOS ANGELES — It's a Super Bowl matchup for the ages: cats vs. dogs.

Jodi is estimated to be about 2 years old. She’s a blend of some kind, and appears to possibly be part Spitz or Chow. Weighing approximately 35 pounds, she’s on the smaller side.

Perhaps to alleviate the dreariness of long northern winters, Scandinavian style tends toward folk-art florals, crisp checks, plaids and stripes, and wood furniture left natural or painted in colors that evoke the region's natural beauty.

WASHINGTON — Airline passengers will have to leave their knives at home after all. And their bats and golf clubs.

The road to Florence isn’t long when country music stars are in town. People flock from the East Valley to the Country Thunder music festival, spurring the question: What else is there to see in Florence? It didn’t take long to find an answer — alpacas.

Jodi is estimated to be about 2 years old. She’s a blend of some kind, and appears to possibly be part Spitz or Chow. Weighing approximately 35 pounds, she’s on the smaller side.

Abby is a sweet, affectionate kitty with soft gray fur and a white stripe down the bridge of her nose.

Eddie Castillo said that the South American culture has the empanada, the British have the pasty, and he and his business partner Mike Caliendo are giving Arizona the hand pie.

Eddie Castillo said that the South American culture has the empanada, the British have the pasty, and he and his business partner Mike Caliendo are giving Arizona the hand pie.

LOS ANGELES — Watching as a beloved dog is swept out to sea is heart-wrenching. Doing nothing seems unthinkable.

Sadly, again, we see a crazed attacker going on a rampage against innocent victims. This time it was in a community college in Houston and the attacker had a knife instead of a gun. Should we anticipate that Harry Reid, Diane Feinstein, and President Obama will now be calling for background checks when trying to purchase cutlery? Should knives of a certain length be outlawed? Will we see politicians surrounded by family members of the injured speaking out against Swiss Army?