Sideswipe: Speed weeding

Photos / Supplied

Bayleys Real Estate show off their Photoshop weeding skills in this Coatesville property. If only it was that easy!

Heroic dog put down by mistake

Target, the dog that lived through explosions in war-torn Afghanistan, couldn't survive a brief stay at an Arizona animal shelter. The shepherd cross, which was featured on Oprah for her war-zone heroics, got away from her owners on Friday and was put down on Monday after spending the weekend in a county shelter. An unidentified employee was suspended after euthanising the dog by mistake, county Animal Control officials said. (Source: MSNBC.com)

Only in it for the money

Mike writes: "Our daughter Kya (9 yrs) lost another tooth and, despite my doubts, was keen to leave it under her pillow for the tooth fairy. What raised my suspicions, however, was the smile and 'air quotes' when she said 'tooth fairy'. I've been played."

Barrier marks end of the line

James Berthelsen was in Christchurch recently and was impressed with the new work being done on the tram system. "However, I was a little confused by this sight ... the new tram barrier. Obviously two companies working on different programmes."

Wrong targets for wrath

A reader writes on telemarketing bashing: "Those people often can't get other types of jobs. I know someone who does it who is disabled and can only work from home. What's the point in being mean to them? What's wrong with politely telling them you are not interested, wish them good evening and hang up? It is not the employee that many readers have a beef with; it is the companies who make the decisions to put these workers in the line of fire, making them interrupt people in their homes at all times of the day or night to try and sell them stuff or aid their business/agenda in some way."

Cricket memento found in park

Andrew was walking through a park in Three Kings, Auckland, on Wednesday morning and found something he thinks a cricket fan would like to have returned. It's a souvenir-sized Brian Lara Prince cricket bat, autographed by familiar names such as Crowe, Larsen, McMillan and Horne. Written on the bat is also "1 April 2000, Hamilton, Ashwin". If Ashwin would like his bat back, please contact Sideswipe.