“Bubbles for Mayor!”
No, this isn’t an episode of “The Simpsons”. Rather, it was the campaign of Wesley Des Moines resident and pet mayor-elect, Aussiedoodle Bubbles Nomura.
Human resident Victoria Andrews hatched the idea for a pet mayoral election after learning about Orcas Island’s annual pet election. A former non-profit manager and community organizer, Victoria believed the Des Moines community would delight in the furry-friend election – like kittens to a saucer of milk. And she was right.
An impressive 16 pets entered the inaugural election for “Pet Mayor.” The primaries narrowed the candidates to four. More than 300 residents cast their ballots in the election, representing 60% of the electorate. Bubbles emerged as the winner over Riley the Cat, who assumes the role of vice mayor.
“Pets are beloved by everybody here,” says Victoria. “And every one of them has a poignant story, whether they were adopted from a previous owner or arrived like Bubbles to spread joy to our community as they make their way around campus.”
And prance about Bubbles does. As a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a poodle, Bubbles held the distinct advantage of “whisker recognition,” given her affable charms and ubiquitous presence.
“I was surprised how many people know Bubbles. Everybody it seems,” Victoria says. “Another virtue: she is utterly adorable.”
Bubbles finds a home
Bubbles’ campaign manager, Pam Nomura, says Bubbles is a “pandemic pet.” She and her husband, Rich, had previously fallen for her sister’s Aussiedoodle. They found a breeder in Bellingham. Rather than visiting the litter in person, the couple selected their new puppy online.
“We were watching this litter behave on our computer without realizing that we would have to select our new dog at the same time,” she says. “We saw how Bubbles interacted with her handlers, licking their faces and being very affectionate. It was an easy decision. She was born on Christmas Eve 2020, so we always remember her birthday.”
Pam says the mayor-elect, who weighs in at 22 pounds, knows everybody at The Terrace and has many friends in the Cottages and Brownstone. She is also a frequent companion when Pam sings with the Wesley Encores, the campus’s resident choir. In fact, the five-year-old is so well known that Pam elected to forego campaign poster or button baubles for Bubbles. Her previous pressing-the-paw clearly paid off.
The candidates
“Poor Riley the Cat,” Pam says. “It’s hard to get to know people when you don’t go outside, though I liked the colorful handouts that Riley’s campaign put around campus.”
It’s also hard to run a campaign when you nap all the time. That challenge befell Mister the Cat, another finalist. Bella the Dog may have lacked Bubbles’ public persona, but like all of the contestants, he has earned a cabinet role.
Bubbles’ cabinet includes Vice Mayor Riley and Chief of Staff Jeffy. Mitzy, a “scrappy, apricot-muzzled rescue dog,” according to campaign materials, is the “Yapper” of the House. Four-year-old Lucy is the Minister of Joy, and Sasha is the Secretary of Wiggles.
With so much pussy-footin’ around in this cabinet, one might suspect a dogs-gone-wild scandal or two. Not to worry. Mister the Cat has been appointed Minister of Embarrassment Coverups. One assumes that will include all indoor accidents and the occasional scratched artifact.
“I have to say it was really cute how Victoria wanted everybody to know that their pet was an important part of our community,” says Pam.
Duties of pet Mayor-elect Bubbles
It’s unclear at this time whether Bubbles will appear with Granny the Orca, the Orcas Island mayor-elect. Bubbles has already put her best scruff forward for a close-up with Yoshiko Grace Matsui, the mayor of Des Moines. The city, not to be confused with Des Moines, the Wesley campus.
“I believe every member of our political pet parade deserves time in the spotlight,” Victoria says. “I appreciate Mayor Yoshiko posing with the other candidates, too.”
While Riley and other rivals may return to their nap-eat-nap platforms, Bubbles is prepared to assume her mayoral commitments as goodwill ambassador for Wesley Des Moines.
“One of the staff made her a special name tag for her harness so that everybody knows whose mayor,” says Pam.
Not that her newfound prestige is something to drool over; new challenges now sit and stay with her, as well.
“I have to scold Bubbles now if she barks at people,” says Pam. “I tell her you have to be mayor for everybody, even if they scare you sometimes.”