Vote with your paws and your bark

I went to the state capitol today.

Dogs get a lot of attention in the halls of the senate and assembly, especially when we put on our cute face. I was there for the same reason you all go to the state capitol at least once a year - to talk to my elected representatives about what it's like to live with arthritis, ask for more money for research and more help with public accommodations, right?

Yea, well don't nod your head yes, because you and I both know you haven't been to your state capitol to discuss arthritis. Ever. And that's not good.

I sat in the back of a BMW 540i six speed (yes I got hair on the leather seats) that is as fast as one of me scalded. Stuck my nose out the window at my own peril. But it smelled like pipe smoke so on the way back we stopped at Brookstones and bought one of those cigarette lighter ionizers to halt my incessant whining. We'll see if it works by tomorrow.

Anyway, it's not my intention to make you feel badly for not visiting your elected representatives. You're only human. My intention is to tell you how empowering it is. First you park miles away and walk and walk and when you get closer to the offices, your pace picks up and the people around you are energized and you are too, and for a minute you forget that all this walking isn't going to feel very good tomorrow, but you're excited about meeting your very own politician. I mean the buildings are so imposing and everything about visiting an elected official at the state level is geared to intimidate and excite you.

They will see you. Trust me. Just call ahead. When you get there, be prepared to discuss pending legislation of importance to you. How do you find out? Ask a staffer who works for the politician before you go visit. Make it personal and make sure you tell him (her) where you live, and that you vote. I got a commitment to fix the ramps on the sidewalks in our town from a 15-minute meeting. And a promise to look into funding for research. But most of all this dog felt great. Even if I had to smell the pipe smell all the way home. Remember, our noses are 500 times more sensitive than yours. Remember that next time you eat a full plate of brussels sprouts and, two hours later, think you're the only one home.