Those of you who have never been to Yahoo Alley at the start of one of these battles are really missing out. There is always room to perch on top of a fence, or on one of the many loading docks. The garbage cans and boxes are usually full of participants, but both CATS and DOGS seem to find room for all - especially those who want to join. This week was no different. The DOGS started at one end, the CATS at the other. The tension always builds and eventually someone scratches or bites someone else and the battle is on.

Fresh from the victory last week, the CATS were anxious to taste the sweetness once again and jumped to a quick lead 8-6 in the first round. These battles get so rough at times we need to send in a sub for a temporarily "out of commission" participant. The battle got so heated today between four of our subs, we had to add another table in the second round to keep them from fighting each other. Thank goodness super-sub Amuzyka kept her cool and subbed for both teams. In the second round, the CATS held off a strong charge to take a 15 to 14 lead into the third and final round. Each match is worth double victory points in the final round, so the match was going to the wire. The battle seesawed back and forth until there was only one table remaining. The score was CATS 29 - DOGS 28. Whoever won the match would win the battle for their team. Fur flew, CATS clawed and DOGS growled. There was no room in the table. There were so many spectators in the room, it made the table tilt and the cards slide off. I wanted to alert Yahoo to put out a sign "Social Lounge #2 Is Not Full - Table 21 Is". Finally it was over. Out crawled a CAT, then a DOG, but nobody was saying who won. Is it possible there was another tie? Finally we got the news - "DOGS WIN". They had done it. Last table heroics by Elaine/Maginolia had won the day for the DOGS.

Although it was one of the toughest losses in the alley, there seemed to be no permanent damage to any of the CATS and they vow to be back for revenge.

The DOGS win the honor of opening tables first next week.

Slams were reported by: Dittny/Errikos; Cathugo/Dmoen; Happilyeverafter/Clearblue

Perfect 3-0 Rounds were played by: Dittny/Errikos; Jplesnerj/Yadenwise; Kenny/Lotteryrose; RedRover/Opensesamenow

CATS were: Sunny_Or/Pob; Meggiebaby/Juan_Notrump; Dittny/Errikos; Imdj/Dottie; Computemom/Poppeye; Myrna/Littleswan; Cathugo/Dmoen; Acastofmany/Melkor_Vala; Barry/Xfran; Dutchie/Jean; Drannalee/Redbird; Alanmitchell/Rw_Caroll; Billsgirl/Alanbolt; Jplesnerj/Yadenwise; Eaglewatcher (sub Cshot_98)/Inyrsha

DOGS were: Sadie/Apache; Macmarine/Lorainew; Orla/Rueful_Rabbit; Jamesgreywolf/Harle; Kenny/Lotteryrose; Softfire/Amalekite; Redrover/Opensesame; Ccwaxman/Glossit; Elaine/Magienolia; Happy/Clearblue; Felden/Pom_Two; Salescoach/Nuageman; Wyatt/Zuktort; Bonniehilliard/Susie; Polly/Mrykath