In a Salt Lake City mayoral contest pitting a pair of Democrats who are both former state legislators against each other, it might be difficult for the average voter who doesn’t follow the heartbeat of breaking news to discern the differences.

Of course, Mayor Ralph Becker, seeking his third term in office, is a male. And Jackie Biskupski is a female. For the past day and half, they’ve both been touting their love of robust economic development. And, according to Becker, he is keeping the campaign clean, while his opponent has resorted to negative and false campaign tactics. And, according to Biskupski, she is keeping the campaign clean, while her opponent has resorted to negative and false campaign tactics.

Blah, blah, blah. Boring.

What plenty of people in dog-loving Salt Lake City want to know is where the candidates fall on creating more dog-friendly spaces. So it’s timely that dogs, and what dogs like to do, will be the topic of a candidate open house Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Sprague Library.

The Millcreek Friends Interested in Dogs and Open Space (FIDOS), is hosting the open house, which Biskupski and several city council candidates have already said they’ll be attending.

Of course, any one whose leg has been obnoxiously bitten—or, ahem, "loved"—by an off-leash dog, or who routinely steps in a pile of crap along the sidewalk, should also attend, as it’s clear the widespread clamor for puppies impacts even those who choose to not own a dog.

Milcreek FIDOS Open House
Sprague Library
2131 S. 1100 East
Salt Lake City
Thursday, Sept. 17
6:30-8:30 p.m.
MillcreekFidos.org