Hey, Frendz! It’s your loyal tail-wagging canine correspondent JournoDog, sniffing the sniffs for an important election guide pup-date.
I do not understand why we need six election commercials during one comfy chair nap.
I understand the tone, though. Everybody is unhappz. Nobody’s squeaking a plush toy.
Hoomans have some important decisions coming up. While we dogs don’t get a ballot, those decisions do affect our kibble, our safety, our everyday lives.
I think dogs and cats could get along in a perfect world. We might disagree about a few things (especially who gets the sunny spot by the window), but we can usually share the same yard, same neighborhood, and same big blue sky.
And I don’t much care who’s living in the big White House, either. There’s still plenty of room for all of us on the same walk, no matter which way we sniff.
Sometimes the leash changes hands along the way. That’s OK. A different perspective and taking turns leading can be good for hoomans and pets alike.
Maybe there’s a lesson in that for election season, too.
So, before you vote, here’s a quick JournoDog Hooman voter guide.
🛑🚨Sniff Out Mis-BARK-mation 📰
A picture can fool you. So can a hooman with a hand mic-phone.
Remember the viral story about a guy in a $14,000 custom suit who supposedly looked like a real dog? Yep, not a fact. (Hoomans really will believe anything.)
If a headline makes you mad before you’ve finished reading it, pause before passing along. Find out where it came from. Check more than one reliable source.
I investigate the same patch of grass every morning. To check the source.
And while we’re at it, support local journalism. Somebody needs to be sniffing those sniffs and asking questions.
Think of Pet Costs
Dog food, treatos and vet care are getting expensive.
When budgets get tight, Ma and Dad fans can sometimes struggle to keep their pets cared for.
Animal shelters feel the pressure, too.
Don’t just ask whether a candidate likes dogs. Everybody likes dogs in a campaign photo.
No, ask if they’re being honest about pet food prices. Will squeaky toys be affordable? What will they do for local shelters? Or the cost of gas for run CAR RIDES? Affordable veterinary care? Spay and neuter programs?
Those are the issues that matter.
Secure Fences and Pet Safety
I would like to talk about the places you trust with us, too.
Daycare. Boarding. Grooming facilities. A fence ought to keep a dog inside. That feels like a reasonable starting point.
Remember Molly, the rescue dog who escaped from an insecure daycare fence? Pet businesses need appropriate safety standards, secure entrances, sturdy fencing and trained staff. And those standards need to be enforced.
I have enough adventures planned without an unscheduled field trip.
Keep Sniffing Out Science Truth
I object to several things that happen at the V-E-T, particularly the thermometer situation.
I would still like the vet to have what they need to help me.
From protecting animals against emerging diseases and parasites like screwworms to keeping lifesaving medications available, veterinary research and public health programs matter. Science helps keep our pets, livestock and communities healthier.
Even when the science involves things I would rather not discuss.
Keep Your Paws Safe
When it’s time to vote, check the details with your local election office. Confirm your polling location, hours and voting options ahead of time.
And make a plan for me, too.
- Polling places: Service animals are generally permitted, but ordinary pets usually aren’t allowed inside polling places. Don’t leave your dog tied up outside or waiting in a warm car. Make sure we’re comfortable and safe at home while you vote.
- Mail-in ballots: Did your pup supervise the paperwork with a nose boop or muddy paw print? Cute. Just make sure you follow your state’s ballot instructions and provide your own required signature. Your dog’s autograph probably won’t count.
- Election stress: You keep picking up that hand distractor to see whether something has happened. I keep bringing you a toy because something could happen right here.
A walk. Some fetch. That thing where you sit on the floor and I lean against you.
You have important hooman business. I know.
But I have been standing by the door with this ball for quite some time.
🗞️ 🦮 JournoDog’s Final Thoughts
Hoomans, I know the election noise gets exhausting.
You don’t have to chase every headline, watch every commercial or argue with every stranger on the Interwebz.
But don’t tune out completely, either.
Find credible journos who do the digging, sniff out sniffs with tough questions, and help you understand what’s happening in your community.
Make time for the reporting that matters, even when the news isn’t easy to hear. An informed pack is a safer pack.
Be kind to your neighbors. Check your sources. Know where and how to vote.
And when you’ve caught up on the news, please put down the hand distractor.
The squeaky toys aren’t going to fetch themselves.
JournoDog, out.
Always remember: Love your pets. Support local journalism. Respect facts. Limit stress news noise. And always try to find smiles and happz for your heart every chance you get.
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