Jockstrip: The world as we know it.

Christie Whitman's daughter loses again

PEAPACK-GLADSTONE, N.J., June 2 (UPI) -- The daughter of former New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman lost a third effort to start a political career when she was defeated Tuesday in a local council race.

Kate Whitman, 32, came in third in a contest for two seats on the Peapack-Gladstone borough council, The Star-Ledger of Newark reported.

Whitman, who is married but uses her well-known family name, lost a Republican primary for Congress last year. She also made an effort to become a candidate for Somerset County freeholder, failing to get backing from a screening committee.

In Tuesday's race, technically the Republican primary in a town with almost no Democrats, Whitman received 302 votes to 361 for Katherine Howes and 357 for an incumbent, Michael Seboria.

Her mother, the last Republican to win a statewide race in New Jersey, defeated Gov. Jim Florio in 1993 to become New Jersey's first and so far only female governor and won a second term in 1997. She resigned a year before the end of her second term to join the administration of President George W. Bush.

Kate Whitman has said she is more conservative than her mother, who has become a spokeswoman for the Republican Party's dwindling moderate wing.

Airline pet policy raises allergy concerns

DALLAS, June 2 (UPI) -- U.S. carrier Southwest Airlines' new policy of pets riding in the cabin has some passengers complaining about the possibility of allergies and in-flight noise.

The economy airline's policy, which allows passengers to bring small cats and dogs on their flights for a $75 fee starting June 17, yielded complaints from travelers with allergies and those concerned about disruptive barking while flying, The Denver Post reported Tuesday.

"I have a granddaughter who has a big problem with asthma, and she can't even breathe around a dog," Marlene Sanders of Golden, Colo., said.

Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz said the complaints "were not something we had heard prior to rolling out" the new policy. He said Southwest is actually one of the last airlines to allow pets in the cabin, with American, United, Delta and JetBlue charging $100 to $150 for the service.

"We will quickly make accommodations if a pet is causing any disruption in flight," Mainz said. "This is similar to the peanut allergy, and we do have experience in accommodating customers."

Range Rover outside dealership lists flaws

COLCHESTER, England, June 2 (UPI) -- A Range Rover owner dissatisfied with his $83,000 vehicle parked it outside of an English dealership with signs touting its flaws.

The driver parked the 2007 Range Rover Sport HSE outside the Lookers Land Rover showroom in Colchester with signs in its windows reading: "Problems with ... 6 front ball joints, 4 front arm bushes, new seat base, front and rear n/s struts, full n/s suspension unit, anti-roll bar bushes, air con," the Daily Mail reported Tuesday.

Showroom staff said they have no legal right to move the vehicle because it is parked on a public road outside of the dealership.

"Land Rover operates a comprehensive warranty program with, where appropriate, a strong goodwill policy," said Mark Foster, Jaguar Land Rover's corporate communications manager. "All necessary repairs to this vehicle over 42,000 miles have been carried out under warranty. However, we are disappointed this customer's ownership experience has been unfortunate and as such we have made a goodwill offer towards helping him into a new vehicle."

Man, dog reunited 4 years after Katrina

NEW ORLEANS, June 2 (UPI) -- A New Orleans man, separated from his dog during Hurricane Katrina evacuations, says he has been reunited with his beloved pet after four years.

Jessie Pullins said he was heartbroken when he couldn't take his dog J.J. with him when he evacuated his house in 2005, WWL-TV, New Orleans, reported Tuesday.

"I made adequate provisions in the back part of my house in elevated area, and when I left I though I would be back in a day, maybe two," Pullins said. "But unfortunately we were not allowed to come back in for several weeks."

An animal rescue group saved J.J. from the home, but despite noting the address he was taken from, the dog was shuffled between different animal groups before he was put up for adoption in California.

Pullins said J.J. had already been adopted by the time he tracked the dog down, but he entered a legal battle with the help of the Katrina Animal Reunion Team and a California lawyer who took on the case free of charge.

The legal wrangling ended recently when the woman who adopted J.J. decided to return him to his original owner.

Pullins said he has no hard feelings toward the woman for initially resisting his attempts to get J.J. back.

"Everybody falls in love with J.J. He's lovable. I don't fault them."