Our Official State Dog

The House was in session this afternoon. We passed several Senate bills on either a voice or a division or a roll call vote. We voted concurrence on House bills amended by the Senate, we non-concurred and voted for committees of conference. We heard an outstanding a capella rendition of the National Anthem.

A highlight of the day for this dog lover was the passage of the bill designating the Chinook the state dog of New Hampshire. A class of 7th graders from the town of Bedford persuaded their representatives to file the legislation. It sailed through the Senate and, today, passed in the House. The class was in the gallery to witness the vote.

Why the Chinook? Easy. This storied breed was developed here in New Hampshire.

As at the public hearings in committee, real live Chinook dogs were present. (I'd hoped they'd be admitted into Representatives Hall, but the Sergeant at Arms nixed it.) Before the start of the session, I had a chance to get up close and personal with a Chinook.

Meet GraniteMountain Abnaki, aka "Abbie."



She is lovely and dignified and her coat is oh, so silky!



She's also expecting a litter.

The dog bill was our first vote of the day. As you can see, I voted green for Yes!



When I got home--at 6:45 after a long afternoon of legislating--Ruth and Jewel sniffed me. They couldn't figure out why I smelled so "doggy" after a day in the House.