The race for the White House may be heating up, but the race for the dog house was settled months ago. We brought you the first interview with Concord's co-canine mayors back in November. Now we're six months into the canine mayoral term, and we're checking in with one of those canine mayors, Victoria the basset hound. How has her time in office been?
What has it been like, your first six months of canine mayorship? Or, should we say your first 42 dog months?
The first half of my term as co-canine mayor of Concord has been intense – I'm even more active now than I was back in October when I first threw my leash into the ring. Not only have I continued my nosework training, but I've also added agility classes, so I may better foil the city's No. 1 foe, Sciurus carolinensis.
I've been to City Hall and have tried to spread the word about licensing. I've worked closely with the Concord-Merrimack County SPCA in order to spread the word about adoption, and to help those four-legged members of our community currently in need of a home. I started a Facebook page, so my constituents can follow my work and give their input.
Have you made progress on any of your platforms? Squirrel eradication, perhaps?
The squirrel problem has been a tough one. Just when I thought we were making some progress on the gray squirrel front, my family suffered a personal attack from Glaucomys sabrinus, or flying squirrels. I haven't given up though! I am up at dawn every day patrolling and running the rascally rodents as far as the city line. We even adopted a new family member, a retired bird dog with a great nose, and amazing speed and dexterity, who has been recruited to aid in the cause.
As I mentioned during my campaign, I intend to make homeless animals (with the exception of squirrels) a thing of the past, and to that end, we have made excellent progress. We recently raised $300 for the Concord-Merrimack County SPCA, without raising taxes!
I have several more projects in the works to aid the shelter, which will be announced via my Facebook page during the next month or so.
Some people say that you're just a figurehead, and that your co-canine mayor Nelson is really doing all the heavy lifting. How do you respond to your critics?
If people are referring to the skunk situation, I'll admit, I leave that business to Nelson. I'm afraid a good spray to the face can ruin one's sense of smell for weeks, and with the squirrel situation what it is, I just can't take that chance.
Other than the skunk situation, no one can accuse me of not pulling my weight. I have been a tireless crusader for all the causes I spoke of back in October. But it is not just rhetoric, I am right there on the front lines!
How would you feel about being locked in a dog crate strapped to the roof of a car for 12 hours? Would it be better or worse than hanging out with Mitt Romney for the same length of time?
I've always been quite vocal in my opinions, and we could bark about this subject for hours, but let me just say that Mitt Romney is no friend to canines. With my oratory prowess, I believe 12 hours is more than enough time for me to convince him to see the error of his ways, but if I could be given a bull horn, I'd opt to doing it from the crate.
Any message for your constituents?
Keep up the patrols! We can win the war on squirrels, but only with your help!
