My family grows by one

Meet Cleo, my new roommate.

After nearly a year of dog-less existence I once again have a canine companion. Cleo is a 15 week old Cocker Spaniel. Her previous owners have been reassigned to Japan and Cleo can't go along. So she's decided to share my life and home.

She's a doll. She enjoyed the truck ride home, she couldn't be less interested in cats and gets along with other dogs. After a quick tour to become familiar with the layout of her new home, she's laid down next to my chair, completely relaxed. She seems to know when to be playful and when to relax. Monday we'll see how she does at work. She'll have a bed and kennel she can sleep in there, frequent walks and plenty of attention from the staff and customers.

My last Cocker couldn't make the trip back to San Diego with me due to not getting along well with Mariah, the alpha female that had been with me for years prior to the move. I found her a good home in Idaho, but regretted having to leave her behind. That was in 1995.

Thirteen years later there's once again a Cocker around the house. Of all the breeds I've owned, Cocker Spaniels have to be among the most mellow, the most naturally well behaved of any of them. They are trusting, loyal and easy going, good traits in dogs and humans alike.

We're going to relax for a little while then go for our first walk around the neighborhood. We'll see what she thinks about her surroundings.

Today is a good day.

Wal-Mart says, "Vote Republican or Else"

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is mobilizing its store managers and department supervisors around the country to warn that if Democrats win power in November, they'll likely change federal law to make it easier for workers to unionize companies -- including Wal-Mart.

In recent weeks, thousands of Wal-Mart store managers and department heads have been summoned to mandatory meetings at which the retailer stresses the downside for workers if stores were to be unionized.

According to about a dozen Wal-Mart employees who attended such meetings in seven states, Wal-Mart executives claim that employees at unionized stores would have to pay hefty union dues while getting nothing in return, and may have to go on strike without compensation. Also, unionization could mean fewer jobs as labor costs rise.

The actions by Wal-Mart -- the nation's largest private employer -- reflect a growing concern among big business that a reinvigorated labor movement could reverse years of declining union membership. That could lead to higher payroll and health costs for companies already being hurt by rising fuel and commodities costs and the tough economic climate.

The Wal-Mart human-resources managers who run the meetings don't specifically tell attendees how to vote in November's election, but make it clear that voting for Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama would be tantamount to inviting unions in, according to Wal-Mart employees who attended gatherings in Maryland, Missouri and other states.

"The meeting leader said, 'I am not telling you how to vote, but if the Democrats win, this bill will pass and you won't have a vote on whether you want a union,'" said a Wal-Mart customer-service supervisor from Missouri. "I am not a stupid person. They were telling me how to vote," she said.  (Source-WSJ)