Current:Home > StocksThe surprising way I’m surviving election day? Puppies. Lots of puppies. -Elite Financial Minds
The surprising way I’m surviving election day? Puppies. Lots of puppies.
View
Date:2025-04-12 10:19:31
WASHINGTON – Election Day is stressful, no matter who you're voting for. But don't fret – I have the paw-fect answer for you to soothe your central nervous system.
You guessed it: dogs. More specifically: puppies.
The USA TODAY newsroom welcomed six poodle puppies from Wolf Trap Animal Rescue, a local organization that rescues high-risk animals from euthanasia, neglect and abuse, according to its website. It started nine years ago and has saved more than 20,000 animals.
USA TODAY Politics Managing Editor Romina Ruiz-Goiriena ushered my colleagues and I to the back corner of our newsroom after teasing a "surprise" coming Election Day. In an election year full of surprises, this was the best possible outcome any of us could have hoped for. At least before the polls close, anyway. Woof.
My anxiety ticked up slowly but surely all day. I went for an early run before work in a futile attempt to calm down. The fall leaves floated off the trees in 50-degree weather. Smooth landings antithetical to my feet pounding on the pavement. I was breathing, but not deeply.
The second a beautiful brown puppy sat in my arms, I did. I gave it a light (then tight) squeeze and let the sweetness envelop me. Kissed its adorable little face, smelled its fresh fur. "Awws" echoed as many reporters, editors, and other newsroom staffers took turns passing puppies around. Research shows it's easy to see why – animals lower cortisol levels and can bring down blood pressure, according to the NIH.
"Just holding them, it helps a lot," says Jenny Campanilla, Wolf Trap's adoption coordinator-veterinary assistant. Talking to them is also good for you, though these puppies sadly did not respond to my overtures for conversation.
Presidential election live updates:When to expect election results; final polls
When I went back to my desk, my anxiety returned slightly. I itched to go back and hold a puppy again. I also immediately texted my boyfriend a picture – the biggest hint possible to say WE ARE GETTING A DOG.
All told, though, the best part (paw-t?) about puppies on Election Day? They don't care who you voted for – they just care.
veryGood! (8761)
Related
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Nicola Peltz Beckham accuses grooming company of 'reckless and malicious conduct' after dog's death
- Chrissy Teigen and John Legend's Son Miles Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes
- How (and why) Nikola Jokic barely missed triple-double history at 2024 Paris Olympics
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- NYC man accused of damaging license plates on Secret Service vehicles guarding VP’s stepdaughter
- West Virginia school ordered to remain open after effort to close it due to toxic groundwater fears
- Medal predictions for track and field events at the 2024 Paris Olympics
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- GOP primary voters in Arizona’s largest county oust election official who endured years of attacks
Ranking
- John Galliano out at Maison Margiela, capping year of fashion designer musical chairs
- GOP Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine opposes fall ballot effort to replace troubled political mapmaking system
- Hawaii Gov. Josh Green tells AP a $4 billion settlement for 2023 Maui wildfire could come next week
- Detroit man convicted in mass shooting that followed argument over vehicle blocking driveway
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- An infant died after being forgotten in the back seat of a hot car, Louisiana authorities say
- Feds arrest ex-US Green Beret in connection to failed 2020 raid of Venezuela to remove Maduro
- Who Is Gabriel Medina? Why the Brazilian Surfer's Photo Is Going Viral at the 2024 Olympics
Recommendation
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
Don’t expect a balloon drop quite yet. How the virtual roll call to nominate Kamala Harris will work
MLB trade deadline winners and losers: What were White Sox doing?
Georgia prosecutors committed ‘gross negligence’ with emails in ‘Cop City’ case, judge says
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
Prince William and Prince Harry’s uncle Lord Robert Fellowes dies at 82
Harris to eulogize longtime US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas at funeral service
MLB trade deadline winners and losers: What were White Sox doing?