Quesnel Cariboo Observer
Friday, February 14, 2014
OPINIONS
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Your move Harper
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iberal leader Justin Trudeau surprised everyone recently— including most of his own party — by removing all the Liberal senators from his caucus and making them all independent. Trudeau declared that from now on the only way to be a part of the Liberal caucus is to be put there by the people of Canada. Of course we all know the struggles facing the archaic Canadian Senate in the past year — can we ever forget about the expense scandal? If Trudeau actually thought he would make changes for the better when he announced this decision, he should be applauded for his efforts. However, it’s hard to view the move as anything more than a publicity stunt and political suicide for Trudeau within his own party. Affected Liberal senators were asked their opinion on the decision. They all supported their former leader and said being labelled as Independents certainly wouldn’t stop them from thinking or acting like Liberals. Our point exactly –– what difference does it make if Trudeau declares his senators independent now? They will always be affiliated with the party that appointed them. Trudeau also said if he were prime minister he would task a non-elected, independent body to appoint independent, still non-elected senators. What? Not that current Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been any better at addressing senate reform. It will be interesting to see what Harper’s next move will be to counter Trudeau’s ambitious leap forward to take the country’s top job. – Black Press
Pets light up our lives and bring us joy
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ola and Charlie are our sweet, happy 30-pound Cockapoos. I realize they are fully grown adult dogs and no longer puppies, but they still act like the hilariously excitable baby beasts we welcomed into our home almost five years ago, so I still refer to them as pups. The brother and sister act have long been housetrained and they now come when they’re called – unless the bird, cat or dog they’re talking to outside is too intriguing to resist – but in other ways, they haven’t changed at all. When one of us humans wake up for a midnight tinkle, they awaken as well, ready to play. When someone takes the lid off the canine cookie jar, they come sprinting in like they’ve been starving for weeks. And when we walk through the front door, even if we’ve only been gone for a minute, they wiggle their bums and wag their tails so vigorously you can’t help but feel
Lori Welbourne
On A Brighter Note loved and appreciated. Actually, loved and appreciated is putting it too mildly. Worshipped like a goddess would be a more accurate description of how I feel when they greet me. Wherever I go, Lola and Charlie are right at my feet – unless they’re playing with the kids or the husband’s home. If the big guy’s around, they barely notice the rest of us since they’re so head-over-heels in love with him. Car rides are the real kicker, though. It doesn’t matter where we’re taking them, they freak out like loud, spastic toddlers hyped up on sugar, about to enter Disneyland.
dogs and they completely idolize her. Every time I leave our pups at her kennel, I know they’re going to come home elated and exhausted. And I love it when they do. Cuddling them is always fulfilling, but in their tuckered out state it’s utter bliss. It seems like they’re reliving the memories of their day through their dreams as they twitch, moan and even swish their tails in their sleep. But as tired and zonked out as they get, it only takes a second for them to be fully awake and overflowing with joyful puppy-power again. If I could bottle their energy and pop it like a vitamin I certainly would. But just being witness to their zest for life brings more zip and zeal to mine and for that, I am doggone grateful. Lori Welbourne is a syndicated columnist. She can be reached at LoriWelbourne. com.
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Your award winning community newspaper published Sunday & Wednesday The Quesnel Cariboo Observer was founded in August 1908. All material contained in this publication is protected by copyright. Reproduction of contents, either in whole or part are not permitted without prior consent. Publications Mail Registration No. 1001572. Member of BCYCNA - British Columbia and Yukon Community Newspaper Association, CCNA - Canadian Community Newspaper Association & the BC Press Council. Published at 188 Carson Ave., Quesnel, B.C. V2J 2A8. Phone 250-992-2121. Fax: 250-992-5229 email: advertising@quesnelobserver.com newsroom@quesnelobserver.com Website:www.quesnelobserver.com Quesnel Cariboo Observer is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province's newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888-687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org
And every week or two, that’s kind of how a car ride ends up when we drop them off at doggy daycare so they can play with their furry friends. I’m not completely clear on what they do all day, but it’s definitely their version of dog utopia. Just pulling up to that place sets them into a complete tizzy as they bounce around the car yelping and whimpering with delight. And as soon as they see the owner of Charly’s Cottage Kennels walking out to greet us, they lose their little puppy dog minds. At the end of the day Charly will tell us who Lola and Charlie played with as they run circles around my car and jump in for the ride home. “We had a wonderful time,” she’ll tell us. No kidding, I’ll think. They look like they’ve been riding roller coasters all day. If I’ve ever known someone who’s ridiculously well suited for their job, Charly is it. She absolutely adores
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