Show business just wasn't for her

Hey, it certainly beats the "Old Yeller" ending.

Two pet psychics contacted by The New York Times say that Vivi, the prize-winning whippet who escaped her crate at Kennedy International Airport and disappeared after the 2006 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, is alive and happy living in Brooklyn."She's pretty street-smart," said Judi Byers. "She's made friends, and she's got reliable places to eat. She told me she's been pregnant — she lost one puppy — and that she's trying to raise the litter on her own."

Added Sue Becker, who said she spoke to Vivi just last week: "She doesn't want to be a show dog anymore. She just wants to be a companion now."

Chicken moves

A two-year-old video of Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez and Hall of Fame hurler Juan Marichal releasing roosters at a legal cockfight in the Dominican Republic was briefly posted on YouTube this month.

Those who saw it say it's legit, all right: The Martinez rooster applied a headlock just before the Marichal chicken conked it with a baseball bat.

More bread, please

Utah Jazz forward Kyle Korver, who makes $4.5 million this season, recently revealed he eats 25 to 30 peanut butter-and-jam sandwiches a week.

Added Brad Rock of the Deseret News, "Word is he hopes to land a contract extension so next year he can upgrade to macaroni and cheese for lunch."

None for the thumb

The Atlanta Braves, refusing to join sports' latest craze, will not designate a manager-in-waiting to succeed Bobby Cox, baseball's all-time leader in ejections.

Umpires, though, might be willing to toss out a few names.

We've got answers

Q: Why was there extra security surrounding Patty Hearst's prize-winning French bulldog at the Westminster Kennel Club show?

A: Dognapping threats from the Schnekingese Liberation Army.

Bud Bowl, the sequel

Q: Why was Bud Selig high-fiving everybody in sight at his Pro Bowl party on Sunday?

A: With the NFC winning, the Packers could be the home team in the next Super Bowl!

Quote, end quote

• Reggie Hayes of the Fort Wayne (Ind.) News-Sentinel, on one accoutrement you probably won't be seeing in the new Yankee Stadium: "A pitchers-only training room called "Brian McNamee's Medicine Cabinet."

• Mike Bianchi of The Orlando Sentinel, after Florida football coach Urban Meyer was cleared of any wrongdoing in recruiting the boyfriend of a Gators gymnast: "But I'm still wondering why he just hired Bela Karolyi as his new defensive line coach."

• Tony Augusty of The Detroit News, after video surfaced of Chris Berman flirting with a co-worker on the ESPN set: "Six words: 'HE! WON'T! GO! ALL! THE! WAY!' "

• Dan Daly of the Washington Times, on telltale signs in Lubbock that Bob Knight had abruptly resigned as Texas Tech basketball coach: "The flags were at half-mast, and the folding chairs at Wal-Mart were half off."

Bumper Crop Dept.

Hot-selling D.C. bumper sticker just waiting to happen: "Honk if you weren't a Redskins coaching candidate."

Sideline Chatter appears Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Dwight Perry: 206-464-8250 or dperry@seattletimes.com