Steve Novick's Best Advice to Gov. Kate Brown? Get a Corgi

Example: Former Gov. Barbara Roberts, at a Feb. 14 celebration at the Oregon Historical Society, said she would encourage Brown to keep a good journal while in office in case she ever wants to write a memoir about her time. (Perhaps Roberts has new regrets about not having better notes on this encounter with Kitzhaber in 1993?)

Portland Commissioner Steve Novick, a proud owner with his wife, Rachel, of two corgis, has his own advice for Brown, which he shared in a jokey press release emailed to reporters.

Governor Kate Brown recently lamented that since she does not currently own a dog, she will be unable to join dog-related events in the Mahonia Hall neighborhood.

"I have three words for Governor Brown: get a corgi," said Portland City Commissioner Steve Novick.

Novick pointed out that the popular, successful, and recently reelected Governor Jerry Brown of California owns a Pembroke Welsh corgi, Sutter, who has played a key role in his Administration.  In 2012, Sutter campaigned throughout California for Proposition 30, the tax increase on the wealthy that allowed the State to balance its budget without slashing education funding. The New Republic, among others, credited Sutter for the success of the measure. BuzzFeed has described Sutter as "a force in California politics."

"The lesson is clear: If you're the Governor of a Pacific Coast state, and your name is Brown, you'd be crazy not to get a corgi," Novick said.

In addition, cartoonist Jack Ohman, a college classmate and friend of the Oregon Governor, now removed to Sacramento, takes great delight in drawing Sutter. "I suspect nothing would make Jack happier than having a chance to draw two Governors Brown with their corgis," Novick said.