I finally found a way to tie a couple of odd-ball elements into a story line. I heard about a pack of chihuahuas roaming near Phoenix, which is funny all on its own.
Around the same time I would see random bits of clothing on the side of the street on my way to work. Sometimes a T-shirt or pair of shoes. Another time a jacket and pair of pants, spread out like the owner had just walked out of them. Pretty odd.
Then I found a link to this story about the effects of a total corn diet on wild French hamsters. It all has to be related, doesn’t it?