The message of the latest Quinnipiac University Poll to Connecticut’s Republicans is this: Unless they can avoid the inconvenience of having independent voters and Democrats voting in November, they should not nominate Linda McMahon for the U.S. Senate again.The poll released last week indicates the lure of McMahon’s millions remains strong among the faithful and if the primary were held today, she would probably be the party’s nominee and go on to lose her second Senate election in two years. In a poll of those Republican primary voters with McMahon against former 10-term Congressman Chris Shays, McMahon leads by nine points. But Shays is stronger than he was in a Quinnipiac poll last fall when he ran 15 points behind McMahon, so his nine-point deficit this time could be a healthy sign. The Big Mo and all that.Of considerably more significance is Shays’ poll performance with all voters against the two contenders for that Democratic Senate nomination. Congressman Chris Murphy, the Democratic front runner, easily defeats McMahon, 52 to 37 percent, but against Shays, he can do no better than a statistical tie, 41 percent to Shays’ 40 percent.Against the less likely Democratic nominee, former Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz, the story is virtually the same. Bysiewicz easily defeats McMahon, 49 to 39 percent, but against Shays, the tie returns, with Shays ahead of Bysiewicz by 43 to 42 percent. McMahon’s only advantage last time was her willingness to spend millions of her own money, a virtue Republicans welcomed in past elections when they had to find a candidate willing to run and lose against then invincible Democrats like Chris Dodd.Congressman Rob Simmons, like Shays, a moderate Republican who had actually won elections, had no chance against McMahon’s money in 2010 but it didn’t help her in the general election and she lost to Dick Blumenthal by 10 points.Douglas Schwartz, the director of the Quinnipiac poll, who’s usually pretty good at analyzing his own poll, notes McMahon “is still the one with the lead but Shays is the one with the momentum” as his numbers indicate McMahon would lose the independent vote in a general election against either Murphy or Bysiewicz.In 2010, when McMahon flooded the airwaves with commercials and our mailboxes with expensive throwaways, she at least got herself known, if not loved. Her lowest unfavorable rating, 15 percent, was achieved in the months before she announced her candidacy and grew to 37 percent before the election. It’s now 44 percent.This time, only 15 percent told the poll takers they didn’t know enough about her to have an opinion, but 38 percent said they know too little about Shays, who had only been a Connecticut congressman for 21 years.But the election still comes down to money. As Schwartz noted, if McMahon can define Shays before he can define himself, Shays is in trouble and the only medium for defining a candidate is the dreaded television commercial, lies and all.If the poll numbers hold up, the Republican faithful will probably turn to McMahon again at the summer convention but give Shays enough support to force a primary.Shays told The Danbury News-Times that being neck and neck with the Democratic candidates in a state considered one of the most Democratic in the country is wonderful news and he’s right about that.For those of us who prefer a two-party system, it would be a treat to vote for a senator without knowing the outcome in advance. But for that to happen, Republican voters will have to undergo a reality check.This is the second of two consecutive elections for open seats in the United States Senate, a phenomenon about as rare as a 100-year flood. When someone is elected to the Senate from Connecticut, it may not be for a lifetime, but in the past half century, it’s been for at least a dozen years and in the case of the retiring Dodd and now, Lieberman, considerably longer.A contest in which the Democratic candidate can’t get away with mouthing party line platitudes and the Republican ducked fundamental issues like her views on entitlements, as McMahon did in 2010, would be refreshing. And for Republicans, the prospect of actually winning should count for something.
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Marsala is eager to go home with you.
Tiffany Lemelin, shelter manager, brushing Marsala upon arrival.Provided
The Little Guild is an animal shelter at 285 Sharon-Goshen Turnpike in West Cornwall. Founded in 1957, the organization rescues animals from local surrenders and under-resourced shelters. When a rescue animal arrives at The Little Guild, staff begins a careful intake and transition process to ensure the animal is safe, healthy and ready for adoption.
New arrivals are quarantined in-house. Vaccinations are verified as up to date, and staff assesses each animal’s medical, behavioral and placement needs. Rescues receive medical care, daily support and behavioral training to ease shelter stress. Once a dog has finished quarantine and is ready for a home, its profile is published at littleguild.org.
Michael DeBarba, certified dog trainer working with Marsala.Jennifer Almquist
Prospective adopters fill out an online application with information about their household and veterinary and personal references.
The next step is for the prospective adopter and family members to meet the dog. If there is already a dog in the household, a meet-and-greet is scheduled so the dogs can get acquainted.
The animal care staff offers guidance based on its knowledge of each animal’s personality, needs and quirks to help families find the best fit.
Marsala wins a heart.Jennifer Almquist
Once a match is made, the adoption contract outlines aftercare. Adopters agree to return the animal to The Little Guild if the adoption doesn’t work out. The organization’s commitment continues after adoption, with six months of free training and follow-up from staff to answer questions or address concerns.
“Please don’t pass Marsala by,” Lemelin said. “He loves people and other dogs. He’s a lap dog who lives for snuggles, cuddles and face kisses. Marsala deserves a family, a soft bed and a lifetime of being chosen.”
To find out about Marsala and other rescue dogs and cats, visit littleguild.org
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Sampson, a playful and independent blind hound mix, explores the rescue’s large yard.
Though she takes in dogs of all ages, including some with disabilities — and one resident cat — the rescue’s motto is “Giving old dogs new lives.”
Sadie, center, a Carolina dog, plays with her friend Negra, a terrier mix. Bella Linda, the small poodle, has since been adopted.L. Tomaino
Sadie, a sweet Carolina dog, was the first to greet visitors.
“She could really use a home,” Meade said.
Then came Bonnie and Clyde, rat terriers; Negra, a small terrier mix; Sampson, a blind hound mix; and Jay Z, a terrier mix who was emaciated when Meade took him in and has since filled out, with fur regrowing over previously bald patches. Wesley, a young, shaggy mix whom Meade calls “a very good boy,” is also in need of a home.
Wesley, a young, exuberant mix, is looking for an active home.L. Tomaino
Meade began rescuing dogs after going to Waterbury to adopt one and learning that, by the end of the three-day weekend, the dogs she was looking at would be euthanized to make room for others.
She went home and started her rescue in New Preston, Connecticut. After five years there, she moved to California, where she rescued dogs from overcrowded pounds for 13 years.
Meade, a busload of dogs and her cat moved back to the Northeast a little more than a year ago.
Ninety-nine percent of the dogs at the rescue come from pounds, both locally and in California and New York City.
“We are more than happy to place dogs with older people, and we are also willing to give support after the adoption,” Meade said, noting that some rescues will not adopt to people over 60.
Bonnie and Clyde, an affectionate terrier pair.L. Tomaino
For those who cannot adopt, the rescue needs donations of old blankets, dog and cat food, cleaning supplies, puppy pads and dog treats. Monetary donations are also welcome and can be made through the rescue’s website. Meade also welcomes volunteers to help with the dogs.
Contact Meade at 805-239-4004, 860-866-7986 or 4dots@att.net to arrange a visit or drop off donations. For available dogs and more information, visit meadecaninerescue.org.
Newtown Veterinary Specialists
For Berkshire County residents, VCA All Caring Animal Hospital, 440 Stockbridge Road in Great Barrington, can be a nearby first call. The full-service hospital offers diagnostics and hospitalization and asks clients with an emergency or a pet requiring immediate attention to call rather than use its online contact form. It is not a 24-hour emergency hospital, however. Current hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. Call 413-528-8020.
Poughkeepsie also has several options for urgent care. Creature Comforts Animal Hospital, 64 Pine St., is a full-service veterinary hospital offering emergency and critical care during regular business hours. The hospital treats dogs and cats as well as birds, reptiles and other exotic pets. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sunday. For after-hours emergencies involving dogs and cats, the hospital refers patients to regional emergency facilities. Call 845-625-2474.
Community Animal Care, 269 Titusville Road, offers urgent and emergency care during operating hours and asks pet owners to call ahead. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Urgent care is available daily by calling ahead, with extended hours until 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The practice also offers after-hours veterinary triage by video to help owners determine whether a pet can safely wait or should be taken to a 24-hour facility. Call 845-471-7459.
When an animal needs care in the middle of the night, on a holiday or for a potentially life-threatening condition, the options become more limited.
Guardian Veterinary Specialists, 4 Hardscrabble Heights in Brewster, is a 24-hour emergency and specialty hospital, open seven days a week, 365 days a year. Its emergency department is staffed around the clock, with on-site imaging and laboratory services. No appointment is necessary for an emergency, although calling ahead is encouraged when possible. Call 914-704-3400.
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Newtown Veterinary Specialists, 52 Church Hill Road in Newtown, Connecticut, also provides emergency care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. No appointment is required for emergency care, although the hospital recommends calling ahead when possible. Call 203-270-8387.
Pet owners should remember that emergency veterinary hospitals operate much like human emergency rooms in that patients are triaged according to the severity of their condition, so animals with less critical problems may have to wait.
The best preparation is simple. Keep the number of your regular veterinarian and at least one 24-hour emergency hospital in your phone, and know roughly how long it will take to get there. If circumstances allow, call before leaving home to confirm where your pet should be seen.
When something goes wrong at 10 p.m. on a Sunday, knowing where you’re headed can make a frightening situation a little less overwhelming.
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