Bo Derek and the horse

I was only vaguely aware that she's still even alive, but as reported today on that OTHER pet blog, LA Unleased, Bo Derek has been appointed to the state's horse racing board.

Isn't that where Michael "heckava job, Brownie" Brown worked before he got a job at FEMA?

All seriousness aside, Derek is a Republican animal-rights activist, which I thought was an oxymoron.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed actress Bo Derek Tuesday to the California Horse Racing Board. Derek, 51, best known for a cornrow hairstyle and beach run in the 1979 movie "10," is a Republican, animal rights activist and author of the book "Riding Lessons:  Everything That Matters in Life I Learned from Horses."

According to Schwarzenegger's announcement, Derek has also served as spokeswoman for the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act and owns a pet care products company called Bless the Beasts. The seven gubernatorial appointees of the horse racing board license nearly 14,000 trainers, jockeys, owners and others involved in a multibillion-dollar industry.

Derek is 87 years old now, so good for her. Actually, she's 51 and looks much better than I do. And honestly, the only reason I'm posting this article is to publish that photo on the right in a craven attempt to push up readership.

Hat tip to Larry Altman for the heads up.