Trinity Hartman

COLOGNE, Germany – Millie Duchow spent nine hours squished between young Catholics from around the world who had come to hear Pope Benedict XVI speak Thursday. When Benedict addressed the crowd outside the massive cathedral, not even a language barrier could disappoint the Spokane 16-year-old. "I didn't have to understand him to know what a good man he is," Duchow said of Benedict, who arrived in his homeland Thursday on his first trip from the Vatican since becoming pope four months ago.

Darrin Coldiron and Nick Muzik are firefighters. They don't deliberate in the face of disaster.

Working Christmas Day at Spokane Fire Station No. 4 in downtown did not mean missing out on a Christmas meal. After responding to several morning Interstate 90 crashes, which prevented some folks from making holiday flights but caused no significant injuries, a firefighter served up a prime rib lunch.

Sgt. John Heaton kept his most cherished possessions locked in a metal box in his bedroom. Inside the large box were letters of encouragement and mementos from his Marine Corps training.

Fortunately Theo is cute. The hound dog likes to lick ears, a gross-out move she gets away with because she's so friendly and eager to please. The dog was found running loose without identification near Bigelow Gulch Road and was brought in to the Spokane County Regional Animal Care and Protection Services shelter last week. There was a little gender confusion with Theo, who is less than a year old. Initially, she was listed at the shelter as a neutered male. Turns out, she's a female. Anyone interested in adopting Theo or other animals can visit the SCRAPS shelter at 2521 N. Flora Road, call the shelter at 477-2532 or visit the Web site at www.spokanecounty.org/animal. Dogs cost $75.01 to adopt, which includes a license, neutering, vaccinations, a microchip implant and a trip to the veterinarian.