Sebastian looked jaunty in a white captain's hat and a black-and-white bandanna as he mixed and mingled and cuddled with 22 Girl Scout Daisies.

He was just a pup -- 7 months old -- when I met him in January. As a therapy-dog-in training, his job was "bringing smiles to those who need it," according to a flier circulated on his behalf.

Just looking at Sebastian makes dog lovers smile. He's a Dogue de Bordeaux (French mastiff), and his face is furrowed with wrinkles that make him look sad and serious even when he's having fun. A dog of this breed starred in the 1989 "Turner & Hooch" movie with Tom Hanks.

Laura Sokolovic of Whitehall has launched a fundraising campaign and website -- www.help-sebastian.org -- to save her dog's life.

Now 11 months old, Sebastian is in pain and has trouble walking. Standing and sitting are becoming increasingly difficult. His veterinarian and a specialist say he has severe hip dysplasia and soon won't be able to walk at all.

Both hips need to be replaced. The cost of operations for both hips, medication, therapy and follow-up care is $13,000.

Ms. Sokolovic can't afford that. She has veterinary pet insurance, but it doesn't cover hereditary conditions. Mastiffs and other big heavy-boned breeds seem to be especially prone to joint and bone problems. Without surgery Sebastian will have to be euthanized.

Sebastian is more than a much-loved family pet. He's part of the Three Rivers Hospice and Family Home Health Services Pet Therapy Program.

Ms. Sokolovic is director of public relations and pet therapy at the hospice. The rest of the crew are her certified therapy dog Anastasia, 3, a Rottweiler; and Kiwi, a 17-year-old African red-bellied parrot owned by Nancy Debb of Duquesne.

The dogs and bird visit hospice patients in their homes, and they make appearances at hospitals, nursing homes and schools. There is no charge for their services.

A spaghetti dinner will be held at 4 p.m. May 15 at the St. Elizabeth of Hungary parish hall, 1 Grove Place, Pleasant Hills. Tickets ($10) can be purchased at the door or at JT's Restaurant on Brownsville, 4143 Brownsville Road, Brentwood, or from Brehon's Pet Supply Outlet, 1230 Grove Road, Castle Shannon.

The dinner includes raffles, auctions, door prizes, T-shirts and demonstrations by dogs from White Oak Search and Rescue and Xcel Training Inc. in Bethel Park. Bodybuilders from Life-Force Fitness Center will serve dinner. Cash donations can be sent to Brentwood Bank.

For more information go to Sebastian's website or call 412-216-4476.

Sebastian is on pain meds. He can't have surgery until X-rays show that growth plates on his bones have closed. He needs two operations, because the hips are replaced one at a time. The first operation would probably be in June.

A yellow dog, once a homeless waif, will perform in a play about an orphaned girl who finds love and a better life -- "Annie."

The dog's name is Petey, and he's learning to respond to the name "Sandy" for the Pittsburgh Musical Theater production Thursday through May 16 at the Byham Theater, Downtown.

When Jen James went to the Animal Rescue League in East Liberty to adopt a dog three years ago, a shelter worker pointed out a 5-year-old yellow Labrador retriever-beagle mix.

"He looked sad, and he was timid," Ms. James said. But she took him home to Dormont, where he fit right in with roommate Katie Kerr and cats named Simon, Garfunkel and Catharsis.

Petey often went to work with Ms. James, who at that time was stage director at Pittsburgh Musical Theater. When canine candidates flunked their "Sandy" auditions, the current staff asked for Petey because he loves children and is calm.

"At home we call him the Labrador recliner because he is incredibly lazy," Ms. James said with a chuckle. "His big thing in the play is trying to avoid the dogcatcher, but he gets caught. He also has to sit and look at Annie when she sings 'Tomorrow.' "

Go to www.pittsburghmusicals.com for more information.