The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

8 + WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, September 12, 2007 Peter WINKLER PUBLISHER Bob VRBANAC EDITOR ext. 229 editorial@ waterloochronicle.ca sports@ waterloochronicle.ca EDITORIAL Jennifer ORMSTON REPORTER ext. 203 jormston@waterloochronicle.ca Gerry MATTICE ext. 230 RETAIL SALES MANAGER ADVERTISING sales@ waterloochromicle.ca Norma CYCA ext. 223 neyca@ waterloochronicle.ca Bill PIHURA ext. 228 bpihura@ waterloochronicle ca SALES REPRESENTATIVES Carly GIBBS exi. 222 egibhs@ waterloochronicle .ca Alicia DE BOER ext. 202 CLASSIFIEED §19â€"895â€"5230 CIRCULATION 519â€"886â€"2830 ext. 213 adeboer @ waterloochronicle.ca Canadian Publications Mail Sales Publication Agreement Number 40050478 International Standard Serial Num ber ASSN 0832â€"3410 Audited Circulation: 31.292 The Waterioo Chronicle is a member of The Ontario Press Council, which considers complaints against memâ€" ber newspapers. Any complaint about news, opinions advertising or conduct should first be taken to the newspaper. Unresolved complaints can be brought to: Ontario Press Council, 2 Carlton Street, Suite 1706, Toronto, ON., MSB 113. The Waterloo Chronicle is published each Wednesday by Metroland Media Group Ltd. _ ONTARIO PRESS COUNCIL COPYRIGHT The contents of this newspaper are protected by copyright and may be used only for personal nonâ€"commerâ€" cial purposes. All other rights are reserved and commercial use is proâ€" hibited. To make any use of this material you must first obtain the permission of the owner of the copyâ€" right. For further information conâ€" tact Bob Vrbanac, Editor, Waterloo Chronicle, 279 Weber St. N.. Suite 20. Waterloo, Ontario N2J 3H8 LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor must contain the writer‘s full name, signature, address and telephone number. Addresses and telephone numbers are used only for verification purposes and will not be published. Names will not be withâ€" held. We reserve the right to edit, conâ€" dense or reject any contribution for brevity or legal purposes. Letters may be submited by fax to $19â€"886â€"9383 ot by email to editorial@waterâ€" loochronicle ca or by mail or delivâ€" ered to Waterloo Chronicle, 279 Weber St. N., Suite 20, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 3H8 WATERLOO CHRONICLE 279 Weber St. N., Qpite 20 Watertoo, Ontanio N2J 3H8 519â€"886â€"2830 Fax: 519â€"886â€"9383 www waterloochromicle.ca FAX 5$19â€"886â€"9381 EMAT editonali© waterlocchnomcle ca ul sillh t was perhaps the most antiâ€"climactic election call in I(he history of the province of Ontario Monday when Premier Dalton McGuinty finally asked the lieutenantâ€" governor to dissolve parliament. For those who weren‘t paying attention, the election really began in June when provincial parliament broke for its summer recess and the political parties hit the summer barbecue tour in fullâ€"force making announcements at any event that would have them. We thought the original intent of having fixed election dates and a set campaign period was to focus the parties and to prevent all the gutter sniping that started to develâ€" op over the summer. Instead it really has prolonged the campaign, and already has some people tired of what should be a pretty interesting election race. It‘s a race that could potentially produce another minority government if the initial polling is correct. So many trial balloons were floated this summer that it seemed they became the unofficial adornment of any outâ€" door activity. And for every government announcement made (which can‘t really be implemented unless the reigning Liberals win the Oct. 10 vote) there were matchâ€" ing announcements by the other masters of the midway John Tory and Howard Hampton. They forgot the cardinal rule of summer campaigning â€" most people aren‘t paying attention. And if they were this grandstanding put the politicians further out of touch with the electorate. But there were some things that seem to stick with this scattergun approach to public policy. It seems like we‘re going to have a substantive debate on extending public funding to private religious schools whether we want one or not. The other issues didn‘t seem to have as much traction, leaving this race about character. And with more people paying attention now, it‘s time for our politicians to stop acting like cartoon characters and add something real to the debate. Time for real debate Judy Ureenwoornâ€"Speete Candidate for the Green party VIEWPOINT Two years ago last Tuesâ€" day I picked up my Welsh corgi Camilla, then a fiveâ€" monthâ€"old puppy, from a breeder in Innisfil, Ont. ast week marked a I milestone in my life â€" one that may sound silly to some people. It was the end of my threeâ€"week summer holiâ€" days, and 1 was en route to London, Ont., to finish up my graduate program. For some, the thought of caring for a puppy while in a demanding program is absurd. Though, the first day was a little rocky. I grew up with Scottish Terriers, so I was taken aback by this tiny bundle of energy who ran around in circles and jumped on the furniture the entire time I spoke with the breeder. But for me, that stop in Innisfil was the best one I‘ve ever made. Camilla catapulted onto me a couple of times, and once again I‘ll admit 1 was concerned about the trail of white fur she left everyâ€" where she went. Visions of my spotless apartment being turned into a jungle gym were already crossing my mind 1 decided to be a toughâ€" love mom, and put her cage in the kitchen, which was the only room in my apartment with tile floorâ€" ing. Although I‘d been assured my puppy was house trained, I didn‘t want to take any chances. From my bedroom I could hear her whimpering in her cage that night. | I think she had me figâ€" ured out already because she won me over quickly with her sloppy kisses and habit of jumping on my head whenever I spoke on the phone. And by the next day I was a new mother with unconditional love for her pup. _ â€" People sometimes wonâ€" der about my relationship with Camilla. Some make jokes about how I‘m getting ready for my own children. Others say I spoil her too much. But it‘s hard not to develop a strong bond with a dog when it‘s just the two of you living in an apartâ€" ment. And as much as Cam loves and depends on her mom, I think I‘m the one who gets the most out of our relationship. She‘s taught me that although kids/dogs can be naughty (and I mean really naughty), you still love them. I‘ve been reminded of this lesson more times than 1 can count in the last two years. For instance, one time I went into my closet and found she‘d pulled all my tank tops off a shelf and was tearing them apart. Then she figured out how to open the latch on her cage, and I‘d come home from school to find her sprawled out on the couch. Oh, and how can I forâ€" get the dozens of plush toys she‘s ruined. Every time I think she must be past that stage and give her one, I quickly remember she‘s still in her terrible twos. Even though she‘s older now, the shenanigans never seem to cease. 1 couldn‘t find her in the yard the other day until I saw the hostas moving. pulled them back to find she‘s dug a hole under them and was rolling in the dirt. And, 1‘ll admit, she‘s developed a bit of an alpha complex. _ s But whether she‘s chasâ€" ing birds she will never catch, or running full speed in circles around the yard (yes, she still does that), Camilla makes me laugh aloud every day. And now she sleeps in the prime location â€" on a cushion beside my bed. So much for the kitchen