Those who spend time with Dango will find that his heart is easily reached through his stomach. He is a huge fan of wet food and treats, and he has a charming habit of licking snacks right off a fingertip. This endearing quality makes him a wonderful candidate for someone who enjoys the slow, rewarding process of building trust. While he may start a visit by quietly watching from his spot, he is an excellent listener who seems to truly value the company of a calm person reading a book or speaking softly to him.

Underneath his reserved exterior, Dango has a spark of curiosity that is beginning to emerge. He has recently started showing interest in toys, following wand movements with his eyes and even engaging in some light play. He is a truly sweet boy who never seems to get irritated, even when he is feeling a bit nervous, and he handles new interactions with a remarkable level of composure. Dango is looking for a patient household where he can continue to build his confidence at his own pace and eventually blossom into the devoted companion he is clearly meant to be.

Dango

Breed: Scottish Fold

Age: 6 years

Sex: Male

Size: S

Colour: White

Spayed/Neutered: Yes

For Toronto Humane Society’s complete adoption process, please click here to learn more about how you can make this companion, a forever friend!

About this column:

Each week we feature animals available for adoption from local shelters in the Toronto area with the hopes that our readers will assist in finding good homes for them. If you, or someone you know, has the resources to take care of one of these animals, please do get in touch with the appropriate shelter via the links provided.

The post Dango the cat is looking for a new home in the Toronto area appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

How would you describe your comedy style?

I’d say I’m a blend of silly and dark; some might even say I’m strangely insightful. I’ve been told I have a unique perspective, but that’s probably just a head injury.

Who are some of your influences?

My influences range from comedians and musicians to cartoon characters and writers. I’m inspired by my friends and family, and sometimes I’ll see driftwood or find a lump on my body, and I’ll be influenced by that. My comedic influences, off the top of my head and distilled to a large list of only a few, are: Rodney Dangerfield, Chris Rock, George Carlin, Bug Bunny, Homer Simpson, Marshall Mathers, Weird Al, Mad Magazine, and all of the old Jewish people in my life.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Rodney Dangerfield. He was probably the first stand-up comedian I was aware of. Robin Williams influenced us all, but I didn’t realize he was a stand-up comic for a long time. Rodney starred in an animated film called Rover Dangerfield, and I think my obsession with it led to my mom showing me stand up comedy. I don’t think I was old enough to really understand genre or the craft of stand-up comedy. I remember being shown Airplane and not knowing that movies had genres, so I believed everything I saw, and it scared the hell out of me.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

My favourite guy at the moment is Nate Bargatze. I aspire be that dumb and clever. But I’d say Louis CK and Jerry Seinfeld are the big dogs I look up to the most…as comedians only, of course!

What is your pre-show ritual?

I pray and pace. Pace and pray. I tell myself I’m a good boy. Also, Diet Coke.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

I’ve performed all over North America, but The Corner Comedy Club in Toronto is my home. It’s the place that has allowed me space to grow, to take risks and to evolve. I shot my first special, Love Language, there, and I was in that place since the day it opened. It’s a space where you have to show up and bring your best, or you will be eaten alive. I love that. I have died a lot of deaths to get to where I am now, and I truly owe a lot to that place. A shoutout is also deserved to the now-defunct Underground Comedy Club, also in Toronto.

What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?

My favourite bits are never the ones people like the most. So, I don’t know if I’m proud of them. My favourite crowd pleaser is probably my joke about how people only shave their heads in solidarity with their friends who lose their hair due to chemotherapy, but never for their friends who are losing their hair due to male pattern baldness. I think it’s an issue that deserves more attention. I’m just creating awareness for the bald community.

What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?

It’s not my favourite because it sucks my brain out of my eyes, but Instagram.

Tell us a joke about your city.

I think Toronto is, unfortunately, the best place to live (at least in North America). Sure, it’s a condo-infested human rights violation, but it’s a big melting pot, so at least we can all suffer together.

Do you have anything to promote right now?

For now, I’d like people to follow me, and keep an eye out for upcoming shows, but I have my comedy special/album Love Language available on YouTube, and Apple Music, Spotify, and all the rest. It’s also played on SiriusXM if you have that kind of money.

Where can we follow you?

Website | Instagram

PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?

Very funny newer guy named Ryan Visser, I’m a big fan of his, and he’s doing really well for himself

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Jeremy Dobski appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

WHAT IS IT?

A beautiful HD remaster of 1993’s R-Type III: The Third Lightning for the SNES.

IS IT GOOD?

It’s a great shmup from a bygone era.

WHO SHOULD PLAY IT?

Shmuppers.

FLY RIGHT

My favourite shmups – Ikaruga, Einhänder, the little-known Sine Mora – work best when they make you feel like a gaming genius. Combining blistering difficulty (Dark Souls ain’t got nothing on Ikaruga) with repeatable, learnable attack patterns, these are games that are meant to be honed over countless hours of practice, only to finally reach the point where the whole adventure can be finished in less than sixty minutes, its toughest sections no longer a match for your lightning fast reflexes.

R-Type is one of the progenitor shmup series, and it’s easily one of the best. R-Type Final was one of my favourite games on the PS2 (it narrowly missed the cut on my rundown last year), but the series, with its attachable “Force” powerups, has always been good. While R-Type Delta (1998, PlayStation) is generally considered the best of the bunch, that’s no knock against the SNES-era R-Type III: The Third Lightning, or as it’s now been confusingly rebranded, Dimensions III.

FLY RIGHT

It’s been seventeen long years since R-Type Dimensions, an Xbox Live Arcade title (remember those?) which brought together and remastered the original R-Type and R-Type II for widescreen, HD gaming. There’s been nary an R-Type since then (saving the release, earlier this year, of an HD compilation of the offshoot turn-based Tactics games), and that’s a shame for what was once a widely-heralded series.

Dimensions III – even more confusingly, there is no Dimensions 2 – comes at a great moment for fans of retro-shmups. There’s Saros, busy applying the shmup ethos to third-person roguelike shooters, while the ever-expanding Switch/Switch 2 retro console library features a plethora of classic shmups, ranging from the aforementioned Ikaruga to the similarly-celebrated Radiant Silvergun and a large swath of the R-Type games.

FIRE

What Dimensions III brings to the table is the ideal version of a game widely considered among the best 16-bit shmups. Optional HD graphics – you can swap between the classic and modern with the tap of a button – alongside local shared screen co-op make for a fun afternoon, if you happen to know any other shmup nerds. (I know, we’re a dying breed.)

As for the game itself, it’s got the same solid core of spacefaring combat, albeit with the same extreme difficulty the series is known for. Difficulty modifiers help ease the pain, but players should bear in mind that this isn’t so much a game to be sit down and played through, as it is one to be mastered, over countless hours of improvement. It’s still far less daunting than Elden Ring, at any rate.

That said, we did notice some occasional slowdown, both in 16-bit and HD mode, and we actually found the original graphics to be preferable in certain areas. (Less visual clutter.) The lack of online multiplayer is also disappointing, if forgivable. Mostly, our main criticism has to do with difficulty: it is very hard, so unless you have the stamina to keep pushing through the same levels over and over, this one may not be for you. (Again, Elden Ring sickos, you’ll understand.)

***
Final score: 7/10 Vic Vipers.

Visit the official website for R-Type Dimensions III here.

The post R-Type Dimensions III Review: Pew Pew Pew appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

On the leash, Sosa is a focused explorer who navigates her surroundings with a keen sense of curiosity. While she can be a bit eager to reach the next interesting scent or sight, she is remarkably food-motivated, which makes her a dream to engage with during outdoor excursions. She listens well to her handler and shows a wonderful ability to focus even when there is a lot going on around her. While she occasionally displays a thoughtful or observant nature in busy environments, she remains largely relaxed and composed, often choosing to observe new people and other dogs with a polite and gentle interest.

This sweet girl is the perfect blend of a dedicated athlete and a cuddly best friend. Her ability to balance her high-energy outdoor persona with her deeply affectionate indoor side makes her a versatile and endearing companion. She is always ready to say hello to a new furry friend or settle in for a session of enthusiastic ear scratches. Sosa is looking for a home where her love for life will be celebrated and where she can continue to share her sweet, adventurous spirit with people who appreciate a dog with a true zest for living.

Sosa

Breed: Mixed Breed, Medium (up to 44 lbs fully grown), Mix

Age: 3 years

Sex: Female

Size: M

Colour: White / Brown

Spayed/Neutered: Yes

For Toronto Humane Society’s complete adoption process, please click here to learn more about how you can make this companion, a forever friend!

About this column:

Each week we feature animals available for adoption from local shelters in the Toronto area with the hopes that our readers will assist in finding good homes for them. If you, or someone you know, has the resources to take care of one of these animals, please do get in touch with the appropriate shelter via the links provided.

The post Sosa the dog is looking for a new home in the Toronto area appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

This sweet girl is an expert at the art of relaxation and is the perfect partner for someone who enjoys a quiet afternoon of reading. She is a very focused listener and will often watch with interest from her favourite box while you share a story with her. Coco Chanel is not one to rush into things, preferring to take her time getting to know you and your rhythm. She enjoys rubbing her face on her surroundings to make herself feel right at home and has a gentle way of expressing her curiosity through soft vocalizations and attentive stares.

When she is in the mood for a bit of excitement, Coco Chanel shows a playful side that is absolutely charming. She is intrigued by wand toys and will occasionally pounce on a laser pointer with surprising agility for a cat of her distinguished age. She is also quite the food-motivated explorer and enjoys hunting for treats tucked away in different corners of the room. Coco Chanel is looking for a peaceful environment where she can be herself, whether that means engaging in a spirited play session or simply hiding her face in a soft blanket for a long, luxurious nap.

Coco Chanel

Breed: Domestic Longhair, Mix

Age: 14 years

Sex: Female

Size: S

Colour: Grey

Spayed/Neutered: No

For Toronto Humane Society’s complete adoption process, please click here to learn more about how you can make this companion, a forever friend!

About this column:

Each week we feature animals available for adoption from local shelters in the Toronto area with the hopes that our readers will assist in finding good homes for them. If you, or someone you know, has the resources to take care of one of these animals, please do get in touch with the appropriate shelter via the links provided.

The post Coco Chanel the cat is looking for a new home in the Toronto area appeared first on Toronto Guardian.