by Pat Orr
If you fancy yourself a “dog person,” there is nothing this short of heaven like having a well-trained pooch that does what it’s told, when it’s told.
I took my very first yellow labrador to training where he taught me the ropes. Once we got our certificate and got home after a seven-week course, Sam began to modify the rules somewhat. Between episodes of restraining him from eating the mailman and swimming in our pool 10 times a day, I had little time to reinforce our training.
Once our daughter was born and he became her constant companion, my role as control point over Sam evaporated. Generally though, Sam was a good dog compared to the next two labs. Both were great dogs, but willful and non-compliant in most cases despite brief training episodes.
Our current chocolate lab, Sadie, is perfect in every way because she came that way from the animal shelter — fully trained and takes commands on or off leash. What a joy.
This is a long winded way of telling you to grab some peace and joy for yourself by signing up for the seven-week dog training classes offered at Corwin Park. It is only $98 for classes that go from Saturday to March 14. This is way less than a few garden hoses and a pair of nice shoes, which an untrained “friend” can destroy in one morning.
Call 760-298-1369 for more information. Sorry, but you cannot register husbands or children for the class. Canines only, please.
Repositioning politics
Have you ever heard of a “repositioning cruise?” That is where the cruise line repositions the ship for a new route, say moving it from Miami to Boston. They sell low cost tickets on those trips for folks who just like to cruise, so why not get something rather than have staterooms sit empty while re-positioning the ship?
Last week, President Barry and his minions engaged in repositioning politics. The blather in the State of the Union was all about getting the political ship into a safe harbor to market liberalism in 2016. The entire evening was a waste of energy and time. Why anyone pays attention to anything that comes out of either side in Washington, D.C. is beyond me. Forget what they say, just watch what they do — period.
For either side to waste their breath exhorting the benefits of legislation that will NEVER pass into law is pure show and tell. Simply put, in today’s world you have to have enough votes to ram it down the throat of the opposition.
Remember how Obamacare was passed?
Local update
Assemblyman Jay Olbernolte has decided to keep his district office at the County Government Center adjacent to Hesperia City Hall where Tim Donnelly moved it a few years ago. It’s good news that he and staff will be right here in the Victor Valley to serve constituents. His new District Director Ross Sevy is making the rounds of all the local councils and staff to get to know folks.
Speaking of Mr. Donnelly, he confirmed a suspicion I had when I heard he wouldn’t seek the 21st State Senate seat vacated by Steve Knight in a conversation we had recently.
Back before he ran for governor, you may recall he had a weekly talk show on Talk 960 AM locally. The “talk” bug bit him and, yes, he will be returning to the airwaves with a daily show in the early spring. All the details aren’t finalized so I will leave the when and where announcement to Donnelly when he’s ready.
It will be nice to have a local voice back on the air again, whenever it occurs. Move over Rush, Tim is coming!
Pat Orr is a local business owner, community volunteer and political junkie.