Yabba Dabba Ewwww

WHEN: May 2010
WHERE: East Village, New York City
PHOTO: Andy N. in NYC
This ain't no Bedrock.

The Day the Music Died

WHEN: May 2010
WHERE: Regent Square, Pittsburgh
PHOTO: Jill in Pittsburgh
Looks like somebody gave up their rock-star dreams for a job in senior care. Happens every day.

Your Ride Is Over

WHEN: August 2009
WHERE: Homestead, Pa.
It's official: The reign of mini-vans is no more; park these babies out by the garbage.

Boo Hoo Boohbah

WHEN: September 2009
WHERE: Shadyside, Pittsburgh
PHOTO: Lydia in Pittsburgh
Dumped on the curb, outside the Ronald McDonald House.

Please Curb Your Dog

WHEN: September 2009
WHERE: Santa Clara, Calif.
PHOTO: Lizzie F. in Calif.
Uh ... looks like we're gonna need a bigger trash can. Love the crazy pink color, the placid suburban background. Woof!

Bye Bye Bunny

WHEN: September 2009

WHERE: Ravenswood, Chicago

PHOTO: Jane in Chicago
Dumped, but this bunny is going out on his own terms. The body language says: Chillin', all cool.

Rock This Town ... or Not

WHEN: September 2009
WHERE: Strip District, Pittsburgh
Another promising musical career abandoned.

Every Dog Has Its Day

WHEN: November 2008

WHERE: Friendship, Pittsburgh
I found this 1950s ceramic poodle planter lying in a trash heap in an alley. Cleaned it up, and found it a new forever home.

Wheels Up

WHEN: August 2009
WHERE: Homestead, PA
Another in the trash-for-clunkers series.

Strolling Along

WHEN: July 2009
WHERE: Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh
If you're gonna abandoned a baby doll, you might as well push the stroller right into a huge pile of garbage.

Shopping Cart Crime Spree

WHEN: July 2009

WHERE: East Liberty, Pittsburgh

These pint-sized shopping carts -- from Wal-Mart no less -- let kids get started early on abandoning them on the street. These junior cart-burglars also left the groceries behind.

I Bagged a Lion!

WHEN: July 2009

WHERE: Friendship, Pittsburgh

At least, I think it's a lion. For sure, though, it's bagged.

Trashy Ride

WHEN: June 2009
WHERE: New York City
PHOTO: Leigh in Brookyln
Oh no, Barbie!

Doll Daze No. 4: Free to a Good Home

WHEN: May 2009
WHERE: Columbia Heights, Washington, D.C.
Floating to the surface in this box of curbside trash. The good news: When I walked by later, the doll was gone -- and hopefully to a good home.

Doll Daze No. 2: It's Alive!

WHEN: June 2009
WHERE: Shadyside, Pittsburgh
PHOTO: Jason P.
It's like creepy-toy Invasion of the Body Snatchers, where a garbage-bag pod is birthing a doll.

Trouble at the Track

WHEN: June 2009
WHERE: Shadyside, Pittsburgh
Looks like NASCAR's made its last pit stop.

Street Life

WHEN: May 2009
WHERE: Avenue C, between 10th and 11th, East Village, New York City
PHOTO: Andrew N. in NYC
Andrew sez: "He was just on the top of the barrel like that. Strangely, just a couple weeks later, Sesame Street was shooting just a block away in Tompkins Square Park."
At least, it is "a suh-neeeee daaaay," and thus perfect for taking a little drive.

Study in Pink: Twisty Balloon

WHEN: March 2009
WHERE: Friendship, Pittsburgh

Another cheerful twisty-balloon creature dumped unceremoniously in the garbage. Today's ponder: Why not pop it first? As it is, it's taking up the whole trash can.

Disgruntled Gorilla

WHEN: March 2009
WHERE: Bellevue, PA
PHOTO: Andrew

Yeah, I'd be pissed, too.

River of Lost Toys

WHEN: February 2009

WHERE: Station Square docks, Pittsburgh

Over the winter, a lot of trash backs up on the rivers. This epic pile-up on the Mon River is harboring a disordered flotilla of toys that headed downstream to nowhere. Leaning over the bridge, I counted over 20 balls and a couple pool noodles. Visible in all the muck: a basketball.