* The morning videos have mostly worked as intended - giving most of us something to agree on before proceeding with the divisive events of the day.

Even so, things are starting to get a little tense in comments as election day draws ever nearer.

* I’ve enjoyed covering and watching this campaign season more than any in my lifetime. I wasn’t sure why until this morning, when I was hanging out with Oscar the Puppy. He’s kept me calm, he’s allowed me to laugh at the absurdities without getting overly worked up.

So, here’s a pic I took not long after I had that little revelation…

Feel any better?

       

41 Comments - Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 12:10 pm: “I’ll take my hot dogs plain, thanks.” - Pius - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 12:10 pm: I felt better just seeing the picture before you even asked how I felt!! - A guy... - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 12:11 pm: He’s got a better groomer than you do. Yeah, I feel lots better. LOL - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 12:15 pm: Great timing. Perspective. Oscar says it all right there. Thanks for sharing. - Angry Chicagoan - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 12:19 pm: Yes. But does anyone have a comparable cat picture as well? Although this little guy could turn me into a dog person . . . - Michelle Flaherty - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 12:21 pm: Is that Oscar or a selfie? - Skeptic - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 12:22 pm: Is that Oscar or a selfie? Or a Muppet? - Amalia - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 12:24 pm: He’s so cute! but I second the cat pix, though I have none to share. there are some really enchanting videos of kittens sleeping with paws movin on the internets. great when you want to nap. - Lunchbox - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 12:25 pm: Adorable! - OneMan - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 12:25 pm: Omg puppy… - Aldyth - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 12:26 pm: It’s the purest love you’ll ever know. - garlic bread - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 12:31 pm: who is oscar endorsing and why? jk - walker - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 12:48 pm: Oscar reminds me of the cartoon where people are all talking in complete sentences, and what the dog hears is “blah, blah, food, blah, blah, you like me.” There are lots of reasons end-of-campaign-madness overtakes campaign staff and candidates. Lack of sleep, strange beds, road trips, volatile people, emotional swings, bad food and drink, continual shadow boxing, fear of the unknown, snow blindness. We don’t need to join in that craziness. - phocion - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 12:53 pm: awwwww! Not as cute as my pup, but pretty darned close. - Levi - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 1:00 pm: Oscar is probably just glad Brady isn’t on the gubernatorial ballot this year. Oscar is adorable! Rich, for those who’ll work late or who lack televisions, will you have a streaming video link to any election night coverage? Or know where a guy could go about finding one? - East Central Illinois - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 1:07 pm: Oscar for Governor!!!!! Now there’s a candidate that I could truly support! - Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 1:08 pm: Reminds me of sign I saw: Dear God, please let me be the person my dog thinks I am”. - 3rd Generation Chicago Native - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 1:15 pm: The look on Oscar’s face clearly says take a break from the madness and play with me enough is enough! - Archiesmom - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 1:18 pm: I know what you mean - when it gets too insane or infuriating, I call a pack meeting with my three dogs, have some unconditional love and five minutes of playtime, and life gets better. I love working from home! - Belle - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 1:23 pm: dogs rock! - Soccermom - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 1:29 pm: Michelle- my thought exactly! - Amalia - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 1:30 pm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y-MYhYLBow nap time! - Mighty M. Mouse - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 1:37 pm: A damn cute dog, but a picture is pretty hollow comfort compared being with the actual doggie. You got the dog, I get the photo, and yes the photo is very nice but it ain’t even close to being in the company of the warm-blooded dog. The photo just makes me sorry I don’t know Oscar. - SIUPROF - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 1:40 pm: On those days when everyone is mad at you and nothing is going your way, when you get home, your dog still thinks you are his best friend. - Black Ivy - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 1:44 pm: #presh #adorbs - A guy... - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 1:48 pm: In light of recent comments, keep an eye on 47 around your puppy! lol. - Greg Harris - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 1:50 pm: I am sure the caption of this photo is “Oscar wishes you a Happy National Cat Day, please celebrate responsibly.” - James Knell - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 1:59 pm: Oscar for Dog in Chief! - Tsavo - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 2:01 pm: In a stunning commercial which may change the course of the Governor’s race, Oscar claims he was in a doggy day care center owned by Bruce Rauner. Oscar says the food was bad and the play area was small. - A guy... - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 2:15 pm: …and Pat Quinn sent out some Dobermans to share food with Oscar. - 3rd Generation Chicago Native - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 3:36 pm: Is that the look Oscar gave you after you told him Rauner ordered a hot dog with ketchup? - Oscar's Mom - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 4:28 pm: “But I don’t want to look just like you, dad! Please let me go to the groomer!” - Old and In The Way - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 4:38 pm: Dog is God spelled backward…….. What would we do without them? - Anonsense - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 5:22 pm: What do we really know about Oscar? Best friend of a political insider. Dependent on handouts. Has undeniably created a “mess” in Springfield. No newspapers will endorse him after the way he has treated them. We need someone with an independent mindset and new ideas. Not the same old dog and pony show. Paid for by the Committee to Elect Cats - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 5:25 pm: ===Not the same old dog and pony show.=== Did Oscar really think no one would find out? - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 5:33 pm: ===In a stunning commercial which may change the course of the Governor’s race, Oscar claims he was in a doggy day care center owned by Bruce Rauner. === Did Bruce Rauner really think Oscar’s daddie wouldn’t find out? - Just the Way It Is One - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 6:59 pm: Yep–feel better now. Such down to earth innocence. Ah–’lil Oscar–the calm in the storm swirling around us with under a week to go (let alone in us dealing with all of life’s OTHer anxieties beSIDES Election Days)!! Perfect timing on this Post. Thanks. Oh, and don’t forget for another fun diversion tonight: GAME 7 of the 2014 WORLD SERIES–and it’s been a Good One this Year…! - Just Thinking - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 8:27 pm: Rich save that Sun Times poll if you print it out, that way little Oscar will have something to go pottie late at night…… Second thought why traumatize the cute little poochie!!!!! - Rory - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 8:44 pm: What a gorgeous kisser! SMOOCH!! - DuPage Dave - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 8:46 pm: I saw Rich at the Brewhaus Sunday night but was disappointed that Oscar was not in attendance. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 29, 14 @ 9:55 pm: ===Did Bruce Rauner really think Oscar’s daddie wouldn’t find out?=== Oh man, that is just so good. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.