Pacific Palisades Woman Gets Into a Hairy Situation Over Dog’s Prescription

Marilyn Stein of Pacific Palisades needed a medicine for her dog Sammy, but her vet didn’t have it. So she was referred to a drugstore. When she went to pick up the prescription, the clerk said, “Let me get the pharmacist.”

The pharmacist, who was very busy, didn’t notice that the prescription was for a “Sammy Canine Stein.” He told Marilyn Stein that Sammy shouldn’t drink booze or operate any heavy machinery while on the medication.

Stein tried to point out that Sammy was a pooch, but the distracted pharmacist apparently didn’t hear her, for he also told her that Sammy had to take his medicine with food.

“Dog food?” Stein asked.

The pharmacist didn’t answer, possibly having concluded that Sammy belonged to a strange family.

From dogs to lawyers: A category of items at a swap meet caught the eye of Alex Baker of Upland (see accompanying). I’d check with the spouse before bringing one home.

Speaking of questionable purchases: On a trip to Turkey, Jack and Marilyn Jones of Upland came upon a shop owner who seemed to be spoofing the claims of some sidewalk peddlers (see photo).

What’s in a name: Well! A. Forsythe of Westminster observes that Leisure Homes isn’t so casual about collecting every single penny it’s owed (see accompanying).

Food for thought: Emily Whiteman of Culver City noticed a one-stop shopping area for people who don’t take care of their teeth (see photo).

Hitting bottom: A robbery suspect barricaded himself in an apartment in Paramount, prompting L.A. County sheriff’s deputies to use tear gas. The suspect was eventually found huddled in the bathroom, dripping wet, the city’s action-packed newsletter reported.

“In an effort to wash off the gas,” the newsletter said, “the suspect kept putting his head in the toilet and flushing.”

Unclear on the concept: I’m tired of hearing about Replay TV, a new system that records programs and automatically skips over commercials.

Yes, the company repeats, no more annoying commercials on your tapes. I just wish I didn’t have to keep hearing about it on the company’s radio commercials.

miscelLAny: Former UCLA and Laker basketballer Brad Holland, who coaches the men’s team at the University of San Diego, told Union-Tribune columnist Diane Bell: “I’m still not very bright. I rely on 18- to 22-year-olds for my livelihood.” But he said he was in no hurry to coach in the pros: “I like money, but I really like coaching kids who make less money than I do.”

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Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LA-TIMES, Ext. 77083, by fax at (213) 237-4712, by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012 and by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com.