In Photojournalism as in life, when times are tough, humor can be an elixir that can nurse us back to mental health. On Saturday I was driving to a morning assignment when I saw the dog houses in juxtaposition with the home for sale signs......I wrote the following caption for the paper.

Another sign that the housing market has truly "Gone to the Dogs," is this dog house open house on 84th. St. S. in Tacoma. Actually the zero down financing is being marketed by "Dan-o," for the house next door.
Saturday February 28, 2009 photos by
Dean J. Koepfler / The News Tribune

Friday night at Pacific Lutheran University I was reminded again that often, "My job is truly cool." I love meeting people of all ages, different cultures and walks of life. I met Ingelore Katjingisula, a exchange student from Namibia, who's face and arms were painted a bright blue to represent a "Blue Devil," in a Carnival Parade at PLU celebrating the world cultures and international study. At the parade's conclusion Ingelore wowed the crowd, and me, with a trick she learned as a PLU student studying in Trinidad ....spitting fire. I marveled at how she could keep her cool as she sprayed burning fuel , like a human blow torch, time and time again.
February 27, 2009
Dean J. Koepfler / The News Tribune