In light of the current election, if you’re unfortunate enough to be an informed American citizen, it’s important that you keep in perspective how fortunate you are to be an American in the first place. It may be tempting to stick your head in the sand and stay there until Nov. 8 has passed (or possibly for the four years following it!), given the bizarre nature of this year’s campaign. Certainly there have been presidential contests in the past that have left many of us feeling as though we were choosing between the lesser of two evils, but this year I feel as though I’m in some sort of altered universe. This can’t be real, can it?
I do, however, have the perfect antidote for the election blues, something much more important than some silly old presidential election – and one that you’ll be happy to participate in. It’s our annual Dog of the Year contest! We’re down to the last week of this year’s fight for the top spot, and the competition is at a feverish pitch.
Since the beginning of April, the 12 contestants in this election have been battling it out on social media, in the parking lots of local businesses, at festivals and anywhere else they could take their message to the people. The field is afire with highly qualified candidates working the crowds and endearing themselves to all who will listen. We have a dozen worthy contenders who bring more dignity, charm and charisma to the platform than Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton could ever dream of.
All 12 have a face you could fall in love with at first sight. They never speak poorly of or deride their fellow nominees. They NEVER use foul language. They have never compromised security (national or household) by misusing email. They have not paid taxes, but all are under the legal exemption level. They are all healthy and open about their medical histories. None has any ties to any former Cold War enemies. Most importantly, you can trust each and every one of them to be loyal, faithful and act with the decorum dictated by the office.
If you take a look at the field of contenders, you will see that they represent a wide range of parties; none of this limited, two-party business! You have a huge field from which to choose, from the Wee is Me faction to the Awesome Paw-some Party and everything in between. You also will find a very diverse group: males and females, young and mature, and a multitude of ethnic backgrounds. I guarantee that you will find a candidate or two whom you can really feel good about backing.