This summer I had the misfortune to encounter the Internet culinary sensation known as cookie dough dip.

Spook, who will be celebrating his 10th birthday later this month, was appropriately named when he was found wandering the streets of Mesa just before Halloween last year. Don’t let his name fool you though, he’s not spooky at all, and has been patiently waiting to meet his forever family. He would love to join you in your Halloween activities (he’s even all ready to go as Underdog).

On behalf of all fitness professionals, registered dietitians, nutritionists, physicians, nurses, physical therapists, and anyone else in the world who tries day in and day out to motivate, encourage, cajole, threaten, scare, and beg us to get healthy and fit, this one’s for you.

It starts with a little Cheese along with some powerful Swanger.

ADDRESS: 8251 W. Union Hills Drive, Suite 105, Glendale, at 83rd Avenue and Union Hills Drive, on the southeast corner just west of Loop 101.

PHONE NUMBER: 602-909-8566.

HOURS: Noon to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. After Memorial Day, the shop will be open until 10 p.m. daily.

OWNER: Barbara Knight.

CUISINE: Italian ice and custard.

Homes are being foreclosed on. Jobs that used to always be around are now vanishing. Loans are harder to get now more than ever. The economy has hit all of us in one way or another. Times have changed and we have all had to makes changes in our lives, make adjustments in some ways. Some adjustments were hard, like having to sell our dream homes or watch our cars get repossessed. Other areas we had to cut back in was eating out, going to weekly movies and deciphering what our needs are compared to what our wants are. For a lot of us we got bombarded with difficult times all at once. Not only did we lose our job, which led to the loss of our house, and eventually our vehicle, but then it affected our health because we were so stressed out. To make matters worse, we are now struggling to pay our child's college tuition this year. Does this sound like how your year has gone so far?

Oreo is approximately 7 or 8 years old and needs to be the only cat. He is smart and sweet and would do best in a quiet, loving home.

Oreo is approximately 7 or 8 years old and needs to be the only cat. He is smart and sweet and would do best in a quiet, loving home.

Special needs cat Oreo is very sweet

Chances are you know of a dog named Buddy, Max or Lady. Perhaps there’s a cat called Lucy, Shadow or Angel among your family’s and friends’ menagerie.