knockknock

For two hours* yesterday, during a gorgeous autumn afternoon, Mike and I went door-to-door for the GOP campaign and since I like taking walks in the sunshine and meeting new people, it was actually kind of fun.

Except for the dogs - I forgot about the dogs. Being a cat person, I block out forget that other people oftentimes have very large beasts in their homes that will freak out when you ring the bell, throwing themselves at the door and making enough of a ruckus to wake the dead. I had two terriers when I was growing up so I don't dislike dogs, not at all. They are perfectly lovely creatures and fine companions. But after years of living with only cats, to me dogs seem a little...crazy. Unpredictable. All that barking and jumping. And the slobber. (& don't get me started on the crotch sniffing - how rude.)

Anyway, at the third house I went up to, I heard a loud barking. A loud baritone barking. I looked up from my clipboard only to find the dog making eye contact with me though the window. Now, I know I'm not that tall, but when a predator is big enough to look me in the eye I tend to start considering my fight or flight options. But I had a duty, I was volunteering! So I took two steps back and plastered a big, nervous smile on my face, hoping for the best. A very friendly, nice man answered the door, his hand wrapped around the collar of the biggest Great Dane I've ever seen in my life.

"Hi! My name is...umm..." The dog barked right in my face and the little speech I'd prepared flew right out of my head. Right, okay. Deep breath. I tried again. "My name is Breda and I'm volunteering for the Republican party. And, wow. That is one GIANT dog. Ha, ha. Nice doggie. Can I ask you a few really quick questions?" I said this as fast as I could because I was sure the dog could smell my cats (and my fear) and would, at any moment, lunge at me and bite my face clean off my skull.

The man nodded agreeably and then asked, "Don't you like dogs?"

"Oh, no, I like dogs - just usually in much, um...smaller doses." I laughed nervously.

He grinned as the dog settled down to a low growl. "You shouldn't worry. He's really very nice and, honestly, we only let him go after Obama supporters."

Well then. Mark one down for McCain. (and yes, he was kidding. I'm almost 100% sure.)

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* yes, only 2 hours! You too can volunteer! Call the campaign headquarters today! DO IT.