The Washington adage that if you want a friend you should get a dog could not be more true. When Bandit, our dear canine companion passed away after 17 years, our family was reluctant to make any rash decisions. For the past year and a half we’ve shared memories of her quirky Shih Tzu nature and somewhat reserved disposition with much fondness. After much debate, we finally decided to get another Shih Tzu and the hunt began in earnest three months ago for just the right pooch.
The problem we encountered was in deciding how to pick just the right puppy from a gaggle of tail-waggers. The expression, “you’ll know it when you see it” could not have been more true in our case. She stood out from the very first time we spied her. These was an immediate psychic connection. Looking like a cross between an Ewok and a teddy bear, she wanted to be noticed and there was no doubt in our mind that she was destined to come home with us.
Bella is now three months old and more energetic and playful than a barrel of monkeys. She recently climbed up the ZZ Top-beard of our friend Michel to uproarious laughter.
But, this is more than just a story of family meets dog. We have a solution to our political gridlock. Washington, it’s time to loosen the leash and require policymakers to have a dog or two like Bella in every meeting of Democrats and Republicans. There’s no doubt that they could be the icebreaker we’ve all been waiting for.