Boomer is Jealous of Biden’s Rescue Dog!
A Doggone First
A new resident at 1600 Pennsyvania Avenue is in the spotlight and a famous resident of Shady Pines has a problem with that. Boomerang, the Australian Shepherd who lives with his adopted parents, Harold and Edna Sanders, is all fussed up.
Boomer watches the television screen in his home on Dogwood Drive. He hears that a couple of German shepherds will be living with the new President of the United States!
"I don't believe it," he says.
But that's not what's got Boomer all hot under the collar. One of those dogs is getting a bunch of publicity for being adopted from an animal shelter. "Come on!" says Boomer. "I'm a rescue, too. What's so great about him?"
Don't Be Jealous!
Halley's Comet can't believe what she's hearing. "What is wrong with you, you overgrown fur ball? "You sound like you're jealous." Boomer whirls around and stares at her.
"Halley, you're such a pain," says Boomer. 
"Well, then, tell me why you're acting this way," she demands.
"I just don't understand why everyone is making such a big deal out of this guy. I mean he even gets his very own 'InDoguration' ceremony! Look. See for yourself. It's On TV Right Now." CLICK HERE
Halley watches the screen as the story flickers in front of them. She is only mildly interested. The story is about dogs after all. "How come the First Family doesn't have a cat?" she wonders.
The TV story says when Joe Biden and his wife Jill, move into the White House they're bringing along Major, a rescue dog. The German shepherd is the first shelter dog ever adopted by a first family.
He's brother to another German shepherd named, Champ. The Biden's adopted 
Champ as a puppy from a breeder in 2008 while Joe Biden was serving as vice president in the Obama administration.
Not An Inauguration. An InDOGuration
The InDoguration is a virtual, zoom event to raise money for the Delaware Humane Society. That's where Major was living when Joe Biden found him.
"Look at all those people in those little squares on TV showing off their pets. Why didn't we get in on this Zoom thing?" asks Boomer.
Halley shakes her head. "I dunno. Maybe mom and dad didn't know about it."
"This is unbelieveable," says Boomer.
Halley walks around Boomer and stares him right in the face. "Will you cut it out? They want people to adopt pets from shelters. That's a good thing, right?"
Boomer tilts his head down to one side. "I guess so."
Living In A Blended Family
"Besides," says Halley. "That author lady wrote a whole book about how WE were adopted. Did you forget that?" BOOMER AND HALLEY - LOST AND FOUND
Boomer looks up. "That's true. We're on the cover and everything."
"So stop being jealous," says Halley. "We wound up with great parents and a nice place to live."
Boomer nods his head. "Yea. But do you remember what we were like in the beginning?"
Halley closes her eyes. "I have no idea what you mean."
Boomer rocks back on his haunches. "Well, let me remind you!"
"Oh, No! Boomer!"
And with that, Boomer chases Halley out of the room and around the house on a beautiful day in the small Southern town of Shady Pines.
Look out! Oh, no! Whoa!
of weather reporting on everything. After a big storm, there he is telling us about power outtages and clean up efforts. Or, he's down at Town Hall letting us know what the mayor has in mind for school closings and stuff like that. Why, I once saw him interviewing a group of folks who didn't want the big oak tree on Main Street to be torn down. He's says he's so lucky to be a reporter. He 
feels it's a privilege to make sure people feel their voices are being heard.
I know the Sanders family will have a thing or two to say. As I park in front of their home on Dogwood Drive across from Copy Cat Lane, I hear voices laughing out back. Harold and Edna are playing with their dog, Boomerang, while their cat, Halley's Comet, sits on the picnic table trying to ignore them. I hand them a fistful of envelopes and ask how they're doing. Harold says he's more grateful than ever for the things he used to taked for granted. Friends and family take on new meaning now. Edna says she's found new purpose volunteering with food drives and the 'Give A Kid A Coat' campaign. Mostly, they say, they have more tolerance and compassion knowing that everyone is hurting in some way. 
So as I finish up my rounds today, I want to deliver this message that my mom told to me. Take time to cherish the people in your life. Time is precious. Count your blessings and be thankful for the good things you do have. Be kind, even when it's hard. Give people the benefit of the doubt and hope they will do the same for you.
It's that time of year folks! Kids all over Shady Pines are writing to Santa and letting him know what they want for Christmas. I'm Scoop the Cub reporter from The Shady Pines Gazette. 
It's so cool that my editor, Zulah Talmadge, gave me this assignment. I get a kick outta seeing what the kids write.
and Halley's Comet are counting our blessings. Harold's Nuts 'N Bolts hardware store has stayed busy enough that he didn't have to lay off any of his employees. I've been able to volunteer and help out neighbors in need. In addition to our ongoing food drive, we just started collecting toys and warm winter coats. Boomer and Halley are still fussing at each other, which is normal. This Christmas I'm asking you to remind us to keep the spritit of Christmas in our hearts even in these difficult times. Love, Edna Sanders."
Oh, this should be interesting. It's from Boomer. Just what does this Australian Shepherd want from Santa?
Here's another letter. This one is from Mark Cahill. He's only 5 years old. I can't wait to read this one.
Scoop puts Rita's letter back in the envelope. Geez. If all the letters that come into the Gazette office are as good as this batch, it's going to be hard to pick winners. Just wondering, what would your letter to Santa say this year? Please let us know and leave a comment below!
You know the 2020 election is just days away when you see Boomer and Halley gettin' out the vote. 
That's our local author Mary Jane McKittrick behind the wheel of Harold Sanders' truck. He calls his 'ole jalopy, "Bolts," 'cause he owns the Nuts 'N Bolts harware store on Main Street.
election. Why, the phones have been ringing like crazy here in the news office! People are asking all kinds of questions about where and how to vote.
more people than ever getting involved in early voting. Look at all those people! And just think, Election Day (Tuesday, November 4th) is still a ways off. We haven't seen this much excitment about an election since our mayoral election in Shady Pines a few years back.
office furniture and his wife was driving a new car.
It was the biggest thing to happen to Shady Pines in a long time. There were fundraising events, barbeques and speeches. Everybody got involved. I won't tell you how the election turned out. You'll have to read about it in Mary Jane's book.
Batten down the hatches it's coming! Oh sure, it's calm in Shady Pines right now. But if the folks who forecast the weather are right, later this evening the small Southern town could be dealing with a hurricane.
Over on Dogwood Drive across from Copy Cat Lane, Edna Sanders is getting ready. She's already put all the back and front porch furniture into the garage so they won't blow away.
"Boom, are trying to help?
"There you are," says Edna. "I knew you had to be around here somewhere."
Edna's husband, Harold, owns the Nuts 'N Bolts hardware store on Main Street downtown. He left for work early this morning knowing it would be busy with people grabbing last-minute items.
"He does have a way of calming people down, doesn't he?"