Jockstrip: The world as we know it.

Sheepdog sells for record $13,500

SKIPTON, England, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A British canine from a lineage of champion sheepdogs was purchased at an auction for a record $13,500, his owner says.

Shaun Richards of Burnley, England, said his sheepdog, Midge, was purchased at a Skipton, England, auction for the record price by Suffolk, England, shepherd Eddie Thornalley, The Mirror reported Tuesday.

The previous record for a sheepdog sale was $10,131, The Mirror said.

Thornalley said he has previously purchased three dogs from Richards.

"They are all fantastic dogs," he said of Richards' canines. "I've not had a drink in two years but I feel like having one now."

Richards said he was "gobsmacked" by the price Midge fetched.

"She exceeded all expectations," he said. "When the money kept going go up and up I was speechless. She'll go into the sheepdog trial world after this, where she will do extremely well.

"She has a lovely temperament. Midge was like a pet but also one hell of a good sheepdog as well. I'm sad to see her go but I do this for a living so I am also happy to see the amazing amount of money."

Political signs placed outside burrows

BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Signs supporting President Barack Obama and challenger Mitt Romney have been placed outside prairie dog burrows in Colorado.

The Boulder Daily Camera said signs supporting the Democratic president and the Republican nominee were photographed outside of prairie dog burrows near the Boulder Tech Center.

The person who sent the photos to the Camera Monday said the signs are evenly split between support for Obama and Romney.

Couple make canoe for 10-day trip

FRUITA, Colo., Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A Colorado couple said they spent two years and three months making their own canoe and they plan to take it on a 10-day maiden voyage.

Randy and Paula Cooper of Fruita said the 15-foot, 9-inch-long canoe they made from redwood, pine and black walnut will send them skimming across Bowron Lake in British Columbia in June, The Denver Post reported Tuesday.

"Building a wood-strip canoe is something everyone should do. It's like figuring out a big jigsaw," Randy Cooper said.

"It's a lost art," Paula said. "Very few people do it anymore. But to see a canoe take on a life after you start with one piece of wood."

The Coopers said they learned the art from Paula's brother, Pete Anderson, and he and about a dozen other wood strip canoe owners will be accompanying them on the June trip to Bowron Lake Provincial Park.

Playmobil replaces store's stolen knight

BEAVER, Pa., Oct. 30 (UPI) -- A Pennsylvania store said toy company Playmobil donated a large knight toy to stand guard at the shop after its previous mascot in shining armor was stolen.

Castle Toys and Games in Beaver said Playmobil donated the knight, Sir Veillance, after receiving word that the store's knight mascot, Dude, had been stolen Oct. 15, The Beaver County Times reported Tuesday.

The Playmobil knight was unveiled Friday at the store and children visiting the new mascot received Playmobil gift bags and slices of cake from Kretchmar's Bakery.

Police said they determined Dude was stolen by two men and taken to a third man's apartment. The statue was recovered and the men, who apologized to the owners of the store, are completing community service work and will then be charged with a summary violation.