Bite Size News

--A new company, FlexPetz, will let you rent a dog for a few hours so you can enjoy canine companionship without getting up in the cold to walk the critter. Wouldn't it be great if you could just rent human companionship for a few hours? Oh, wait. That's illegal. Nevermind. [Boston Globe]

--Wondering why there are so many kids running around today? Seventy drivers called in sick or took a personal day today, and about 600 kids were left at home. The kids were probably thrilled. Their parents? Probably not. And Mayor Menino? He wants to see doctors' notes. [WBZ, Boston Herald]

--Even though the Ron Paul Blimp didn't buzz Boston, he still made an incredible amount of money on the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. [Boston Globe/AP]

--Jury duty is painful, but Massachusetts is making the process a little easier by letting you respond to summons online. [WCVB]

--The Mystic View Task Force is testing the air quality around Assembly Square before Somerville embarks on its date with IKEA. The increased exhaust fumes and rage from missing IKEA parts and clogged traffic can't be good for the body. [Somerville Journal]

--Headline from the Globe: "Number of Big Dig Leaks Drops From Thousands to Hundreds." Yay, only hundreds of leaks! [Boston Globe]

--Have you ever felt a little embarrassed if you Google yourself? (That sounds vulgar.) Well, don't be. Turns out 47 percent of Americans are doing it, too. [Boston Globe]

Image of another dog option if for some reason you can't own one from AntyDiluvian from photos tagged "Bostonist" on Flickr.