Stop Barking and Go Vote!

Because I am neither of the appropriate age or species to vote, I can say what I think about this hullabaloo. After all, I am neither an elephant or a donkey. I am a DOG, but even I know when enough is enough, and I am about at my wit's end with politics this year! I have heard, seen, and read, (OK,maybe not the latter) about some really disturbing assaults, flat-out lies, thefts, and other acts of ugliness and violence over this election. This is ridiculous and I am beyond ready for it to be over!

Both parties have made choices, spoken words, and taken actions that have been terribly divisive. Just because someone does not agree with your way of thinking does not make them bad, or stupid, or unpatriotic. It just means that they have a different opinion!


If you remember, my words for the year were "humane education", which is a process that encourages an understanding of the need for compassion and respect for people, animals, and the environment, and recognizes the interdependence of ALL living things". (Quote from World Animal Net) That means that every being has a right to be respected for who they are.

Why are folks stealing political signs......or painting them black? Why is there so much name-calling? Why is almost every ad on TV negative, and why is everyone slinging mud and assassinating the character of the other candidates? In my not-so-humble opinion, your species has sunk to an all-time low.

Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion and beliefs -- that is a sacred right in this country for which men, women, and dogs have all sacrified their lives during times of war. What I don't understand is why some folks have no respect for any opinion but their own.

Surely you people have better things to do with your time than to steal or vandalize political signs, or to say hurtful or ugly things to your neighbors. Why not put your anger and frustration to work doing something positive? Why not volunteer to help your neighbors, or the animals, or the planet? You can volunteer to help the political party of your choice! Or volunteer to drive a neighbor to the polls -- no matter who they vote for!

At the end of the day, you are the one who will win -- as will the others who choose this path. If we're not here to help each other, well, why are we here?


Woof!

CHAMP

P.S. The Foothills Shelter on Little Mountain Rd. is having their Open House, this Saturday, November 1st from 11am until 2 pm. There will be free food, drinks, CAKE (YUM!), live music, pony rides, and photos with Santa! Dana Bergman will provide excellent music so please come out and enjoy this event...I hope to see you there!

The Any and All Dog Show

Come One, Come All!

Well, where else? The Any and All Dog Show is coming up on Sunday, October 12 at Harmon Field! This fun event is hosted by the Tryon Riding and Hunt Club for the benefit of the Foothills Humane Society. It has become an annual tradition for many folks in these parts and is a great excuse to get outside with your family and other animals!

I really hope you dogs will nudge your owners off the couch and out from in front of the TV for this one. Maybe you have what it takes to be the biggest dog....or the smallest dog....or maybe you look like your owner? Do you like to get dressed up? (I don't - last year I lifted my leg on my costume, much to my humans' chagrin.) Do you have the most unusual tail? I did one year! Or do you have the best trick of all the dogs in Tryon? Ha, I wish.....but then, I never did like to obey! And now there is a new class for "family dogs", dogs who may not be related but who live in the same household. Relatives by proxy, as it were. And don't forget, you can show off your very own human if you were adopted from the Foothills Shelter -- there is a special class just for you! This show is not only fun for the dogs and their owners, it is wildly entertaining for the spectators as well. And it is pretty cheap to enter....a buck per class or 5 bucks for all the classes you want to enter....


Father Doty will be doing a blessing of the animals at 1:30 pm and I sure could use blessing again this year......maybe this will get me through another year of being a "good" dog. Or maybe not.

They decided to have a Tailgate Contest this year.....get it, TAIL gate.....but I have considered going on strike about this. I think the dogs should judge who has the best tailgate spread. We could sample one of everything at each tailgate to decide the winner or, better yet, have the tailgate part be judged on who fixes the best dog food, and I don't mean just ordinary dog food either (blech) but something like peanut butter dog biscuits, or doggie deviled eggs, or peanut butter pupsicles.....I guess you get the picture!

The show starts at 2:00 pm but you have to register ahead of time, so plan to arrive between 1:00 and 1:30. I look forward to seeing all of you there -- with any luck, the only outfit I will be wearing this year is my Therapy Dog Vest!

P.S. -- a HUGE thank you to all who sent in the absolutely fabulous photos of their pets for the Po'Kitties All Pet Photo Contest. I have been truly amazed at the quality and beauty of these pictures! And
don't forget the Awards Ceremony on October 16 at the Red Clover Gallery in Landrum at 6:30pm. My dear friend and admirer, the magnificent Randy Grobe, will be hosting the gala affair, which means it will be a hoot! The photos will be on display at the Gallery from Wednesday, October 15 through Saturday, October 18 during Gallery hours. Stop by and take a look at these terrific photos! I think you will be impressed.

The other upcoming event is the Open House at Foothills Humane Society Shelter on Saturday, November 1. My good friend Dana Bergman will provide the music, and there will be food, drinks, and CAKE (my favorite)! There will also be pony rides for the children, and Santa will be available to pose in his sleigh for pictures with you and your pets. Between Santa's butt and my butt, it was a pretty tight fit last year! The Viewers' Choice Award for Best Photo will be announced (from the Po'Kitties All Pet Photo Contest) and if you're really lucky, you might even get to see ME!!

Woof!

CHAMP