There is still celebrating going on in the alley. I haven't been able to sleep since the dogs tore down the banner and put up the new one. It didn't take long to clean the boxes away from the middle of the alley and set up a stand for the band. Linda's bar was still open on the loading dock and the bar in the super-sub room was opened as well. It had been a long time since the dogs won the weekly battle and they were more than ready to hoot and holler. There was every reason to be excited too. The Big Dog was back wearing a new disguise as was Doghugo. Another infamous cat (we won't say who because we promised Iain we would protect his identity) had defected to the dog ranks and the secret agents were back in the doggy camp. Put all this with the most determined team I have seen in weeks on the dog side and you have their formula for success. The dogs took the lead right after the first strike was made by the cats. They took 7 of the 10 matches in the first round. The second round was split right down the middle 5 to 5. With a lead of 12-8 going into the last round, the dogs took 7 of the ten tables to finish with a lopsided score of 26 to 14. I heard a number of comments that this didn't wipe out the humiliation handed to them by the cats. It seems that both sides have taken the record breaking defeat as a rallying flag. The dogs to avenge the loss and erase the shame and the cats to offer solace for any loss which was not as humiliating. I will guarantee that from now on there will be no dull matches in the alley. Those who visit will see fur flying and fans fueling.

Welcome to the newcomers: Embezzler; Paul_uk; Nujojo; k9patroller; browndogsmom; Bobbieblack; Dolly.

And the newcomers (ha ha) who we already know and love: Amansrealfriend (who might sock it to you); Bigdog_eats_cats (could there be another?); and last but not least A_cold_hellhound (don't worry Iain, I won't dwell on your secret desire to run with the dogs).

Seen on the fire escape were: Computemom, FrogPrincemanYarborough, Mrykath, Megin, Traditions, WW35126, Dmoen, Yadenwise,Whit1308, Tessa_Kat, Elmer_Dinkledorff, Mom_ox, Softfire, Barbara, hbear, rw_carol, cave_draco, rueful_rabbit, Dbdelta_ca, Hides, SteveBurdette

Supersubs were: Cosmarch, Pomfretd, Ryderpuppy

Slams were bid and made by: Harlequin_Smiles/Embezzler - 6H; Opa/Orla - 6D

The trophy for purrrfect 3-0 rounds goes to: Bigdog_eats_cats/Doghugo and Psspill/Deltagayl

Cats were: Francylou/Jin_z1; Redbird/RedRover; Bobmt/Vernc001; Harlequin_Smiles/Embezzler; Little_ladybug/Smilodonkiwi; Poppeye/Dittny; Paula_am/Xwing_fighter; Amansrealfriend/rmgator; Paul_uk/Nujojo; PomTwo/Kippers

Dogs were: k9patroller/browndogsmom; HarrietCocker/Woo; Lorainew/A_cold_hellhound; Bigdog_eats_cats/Doghugo; JamesGreyWolf/Sandrajoy; Jean/xBrorsen; Bobbieblack/Dolly; Psspill/Deltagayl; Linda/Feldenpuppy; Opa/Orla