In a move symbolic of New Orleans's continuing recovery following the wrath of Hurricane Katrina, one of the French Quarter's small but beloved residents has returned to his post in a storefront on French Market Place. Angelo, the night watchman's attack Chihuahua known to software developers worldwide for his highly publicized role in Christopher Duncan's bestselling book, The Career Programmer (Apress, 2006), is once again guarding the goodies at the well-known Chihuahua specialty shop Chi-wa-wa Ga-ga. With his owner and store cofounder Elayne Angel, Angelo is said to have transitioned into the relatively low-key world of retail to escape the stress and pressures of life in the corporate IT environment. Low key, that is, until a major hurricane destroyed his city.

Although the store was fortunate enough to avoid significant damage, the staff of Chi-wa-wa Ga-ga was evacuated along with the rest of New Orleans due to the flooding and adverse conditions brought about by the storm. Like so many other residents of this hard-hit area, Angelo was shuttled across the country and endured difficult conditions, sleepless nights, and a decidedly uncertain future. Job opportunities for petite pooches, even famous ones, are limited. It was therefore with great relief that both Elayne and Angelo returned home to clean up the mess and piece their lives back together again. The excitement, however, took its toll on Angelo. A member of a species known for its jittery nature even on a good day, he retired for a time from public life to recover from the experience. Now well rested and looking little worse for wear, he once again proudly mans his station near the sign that warns would-be bandits and other bad guys to "Beware of Chihuahua."

Although nervous little dogs sporting black leather jackets have an obvious entertainment value, Angelo's story also serves a more serious purpose. When asked about the rash of publicity surrounding the return of the Chihuahua he made a celebrity, Mr. Duncan replied, "While I suppose it's a dubious honor to be upstaged by a small, hairless canine, we're taking advantage of Angelo's spotlight to raise public awareness. Katrina may no longer be headline news, but much of the population remains scattered across the country, and those who have returned are still in tremendous need of help. Several people in the New Orleans Mayor's office have given me a great many resources, which we're posting on our web site. We're encouraging people across the nation to get in touch, get involved, and help these folks rebuild their lives. To me, Chi-wa-wa Ga-ga's scrappy little night watchman symbolizes the indomitable spirit of the people of New Orleans. I mean, if a hurricane can't even take out a pint-sized New Orleans dog, just imagine how resilient and resourceful the rest of this wonderful city is."

For more information, contact Christopher Duncan at www.PracticalUSA.com. To email your support for Angelo, visit www.ChiwawaGaga.com. To read more about The Career Programmer, go to www.Apress.com.

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