Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1272155
6 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | AUGUST 2020 | Lockdown Is Better (But Messier) With Charlie By Joe Formino, Chairman, District Delegate Assembly With not much being done or said, there isn't a lot to comment on. I know that as of this writing in the beginning of July, the Governor shut down the restaurants again, and the Board closed a popular Facebook page because several residents had to vent their anger. I have tried to keep personal happenings from this commentary, but I did something sort of "dumb" a month ago. I have an addition to the family — a PUPPY! Charlie is a female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who was six and a half pounds of dynamite ready to explode every 42 seconds. Such energy should not be wasted on puppies or kids. My neat home has become a "wasteland" of toys and all kinds of twigs, leaves and pebbles from the backyard. Vacuuming is a morning and afternoon chore. I never knew how a little demon could be so destructive; now I know. The good news is, she is smart and been easy to train. Charlie goes to the back door to get to the yard. She has not whined or cried when the lights go out and I put her to bed. It took me days to really believe all of this was true. In fact, I am still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Something horrible is going to happen soon; I feel it in my bones. All you have to do is look into the big black eyes of this pup and she's got you. She is cute and winsome and, like most females, cunning and devious. It didn't take long to develop a love/hate relationship with her. The current antic is jumping onto the couches. Charlie insists the couches are her domain. Of course, I say, "NO! NO!" After a few attempts, she sits in front of me and yips and growls her displeasure. The more I reprimand her, the more sass I get. So obviously this is going to be a work in progress. Her biggest objection to our daily routine is walking with a leash. Charlie cannot stand being hooked up to a leash and walking like a lady. She lurches back and forth trying to run and then runs between your legs to trip you. A firm grip and upper body strength is needed to hold her in check. In the next few months if she doesn't grow out of this habit, we will need some professional help. A psychologist could help, too. I must admit being under "house arrest" by obeying the rules has been a little different than I expected. Obviously, Charlie has changed my life. And for the better, I might add. Don't get me wrong; she is a demon and I have learned some new swear words in my advanced years, but she is a welcome addition to my family. DISTRICT DELEGATE ASSEMBLY REPORT