Unconditional Love

We got another dog right away. That wasn't the plan. But back in March, less than two weeks after Rex died and when I still had faint bruises from digging my fingers into my forehead amid uncontrollable sobs, I signed us up to "foster" a Saint Bernard mix that had been rescued from a crack den. It was a classic rebound move, but the unbearable silence of the dogless house was too much to take. You don't realize how much a dog's presence defines the contours of your home until, in its absence, the walls seem to relocate themselves.

We got another dog right away. That wasn't the plan. But back in March, less than two weeks after Rex died and when I still had faint bruises from digging my fingers into my forehead amid uncontrollable sobs, I signed us up to "foster" a Saint Bernard mix that had been rescued from a crack den. It was a classic rebound move, but the unbearable silence of the dogless house was too much to take. You don't realize how much a dog's presence defines the contours of your home until, in its absence, the walls seem to relocate themselves.

Arthur Bjorn Egeli's semiautobiographical "Unconditional Love" glows with an aura of emotional and intellectual authenticity that lifts it above conventional coming-of-age stories. It also benefits from its inviting Cape Cod settings, gracefully photographed by Teresa Medina, and from its carefully selected cast. It's a modest, low-budget little movie with an admirable simplicity of style that tackles some of life's big questions honestly.

New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow has decided to cancel his appearance at a Dallas church that is led by a pastor, Robert Jeffress, who has been criticized for his remarks about gays and other faiths. Tebow sent out a series of tweets Thursday announcing his decision: "While I was looking forward to sharing a message of hope and Christ's unconditional love with the faithful members of the historic First Baptist Church of Dallas in April, due to new information that has been brought to my attention, I have decided to cancel my upcoming appearance.

When I wrote last week about the gang-related trouble at a Downtown Cinco de Mayo celebration, a quote caught G-Dog's eye. It was from Armando Garza, who was so upset about gang rowdiness at such gatherings that he launched an emotional diatribe against Chicano gang members. "I hate them," Garza told me. G-Dog shook his head at that, because he thinks love and understanding, not hatred, are the ways to deal with gang members. They're human, too, he reasons.

If it weren't for Stormy, Karla Leslein believes she would have gone over the edge, or maybe hurt someone. There have been times when Stormy was the only thing in the world that made Leslein feel like a human being. During the worst of times, Stormy stood by Leslein night and day, even when the best that Leslein could offer was a shopping cart for a bed and a plastic bag for a roof.

Boxer Omar Henry, who was pulled from a televised fight card in November after discovering he had gallbladder cancer, died Friday in Chicago. He was 25. Henry, a light-middleweight, was supposed to fight on Showtime on Nov. 16. A couple of days before the event, he went to a doctor because of nausea. Tests revealed that he had Stage 4 gallbladder cancer. He posted the news on his Facebook page : "To all my friends and loyal fans I want to inform you all that I am fighting the fight of my life against a disease known as gallbladder cancer.

For years Sheba lived on the streets with Georgina. "When it was cold, she kept me warm," Georgina recalled recently, "and if I got attacked, she protected me. " Sheba was a patient, loving German shepherd mix whose excess belly fat and low-hanging nipples gave testimony to her maternal nature. Everyone on skid row - kids, cops, prostitutes, pimps - loved her. But her best friends were the homeless street addicts who live outside our Catholic Worker soup kitchen, particularly Georgina.

In the still of a recent evening, the sobs of gang members resounded within the rough stucco walls of Dolores Mission Catholic Church. Bearing rosaries and wearing sweat shirts inscribed with the epitaph, "Rest in Peace, Trigger," more than 500 mourners filed into the little Boyle Heights sanctuary for the funeral of 17-year-old Richard Paez, shot down at a pizza parlor by a member of a rival gang.

I am a widow of three months, 53 years old, and just finished reading Jo Giese's essay "Love After Death" (Jan. 23). I too was blessed for 17 years with a man who taught me what unconditional love, friendship and integrity are in a marriage and partnership. Although I find it hard to conceive that this emptiness, longing and loneliness will ever subside, I found hope and comfort in Giese's experience. I look forward to living life again. He would want this for me. I want this for me. Dee Hulse Thousand Oaks

Boxer Omar Henry, who was pulled from a televised fight card in November after discovering he had gallbladder cancer, died Friday in Chicago. He was 25. Henry, a light-middleweight, was supposed to fight on Showtime on Nov. 16. A couple of days before the event, he went to a doctor because of nausea. Tests revealed that he had Stage 4 gallbladder cancer. He posted the news on his Facebook page : "To all my friends and loyal fans I want to inform you all that I am fighting the fight of my life against a disease known as gallbladder cancer.

For years Sheba lived on the streets with Georgina. "When it was cold, she kept me warm," Georgina recalled recently, "and if I got attacked, she protected me. " Sheba was a patient, loving German shepherd mix whose excess belly fat and low-hanging nipples gave testimony to her maternal nature. Everyone on skid row - kids, cops, prostitutes, pimps - loved her. But her best friends were the homeless street addicts who live outside our Catholic Worker soup kitchen, particularly Georgina.

My dog is dumb as a stick, but that doesn't necessarily make him a bad person. He's just gifted in other areas ? such as chewing himself raw or hurling himself across the dinner table in pursuit of scraps. Trust me, the guy would Fosbury Flop across the Panama Canal to acquire the dead end of a stale French fry. I love him still, in that way you love things that need you a little more than you need them ? bosses, hamsters, street mimes. Michael Vick, former resident of the federal penal system and now a contributing member of the Philadelphia Eagles, one of those win-at-all-costs football organizations that Nietzsche could have coached, knows the value of a dog as well.

Aries (March 21-April 19): The first connection you make with someone is through your eyes. All the warmth, humor and intelligence you send out will be well received today. Taurus (April 20-May 20): What's fun for the short term isn't necessarily good in the long run. The current intensity of your schedule is fine, but plan a rest at the end of the week. Gemini (May 21-June 21): Someone has been on your mind, and this person will come out of the woodwork and connect with you soon.

Fiction weeks on list 1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (Putnam: $24.95) The lives of a maid, a cook and a college graduate become intertwined as they change a Mississippi town. 35 2. First Rule by Robert Crais (Putnam: $26.95) Joe Pike's past catches up with him when an old friend's family is killed. 3 3. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson (Knopf: $25.95) A hacker implicated in two murders must revisit her past to prove her innocence.

Fiction Weeks on list 1. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (Putnam: $24.95) The lives of a maid, a cook and a college graduate become intertwined as they change a Mississippi town. 35 2. First Rule by Robert Crais (Putnam: $26.95) Joe Pike's past catches up with him when an old friend's entire family is killed. 3 3. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson (Knopf: $25.95) A hacker implicated in two murders must revisit her past to prove her innocence.

I have just finished reading Shere Hite's article "Women Who Love Being Single" (Oct. 18), and if you've been out there you know why they love it. Divorced women color their hair, lose weight, dress up and get on with their lives. Divorced men, even after 10 years, are still bitter, very angry and still wearing polyester. After eight years of being single, I'd just as soon spend all my time with my grandchildren, who give me unconditional love, really need me and don't play mind games.

Regarding "Here's One Dog Who Is at Home Around a Catwalk" (Nov. 25): As I gazed at the picture of Sweetie, the "furry fashionista," I realized she looked strangely familiar. Where had I seen her before? Oh, yeah, I work as a volunteer for the L.A. Department of Animal Services. Notice to all human fashionistas out there: There are thousands of Sweeties just waiting for you to take them home. So, if you love Sweetie, honor her by adopting a shelter animal. You'll get a beautiful fur coat for less than $100, with unconditional love and the knowledge that you've saved a life thrown in for free.