Ron & Jen’s Great Escape – March 15, 2023 – Ron St. Pierre and Jen Brien

by Ron St. Pierre & Jen Brien, contributing writers, commentary

THE LOVE OF A PET

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about family pets and how much they enrich our lives. As the world seems to be spiraling out of control more and more as each day passes, a constant source of joy for me is my dog. I’ve had my fair share of animals over the years, and as we go through seasons in our lives, we also have seasons with animals. They come and go depending on how tender our hearts are, and if we can handle the intense love, and then intense loss.  

I’ve always been blessed with really sweet, dopey animals. I’ve never had one who was a handful. Sure, I’ve had hard-headed very independent dogs who at times made me nutty, but for the most part I’ve always enjoyed very gentle pets. I recently decided to take in a new pal who is so tragic. Crazy Ella. A lunatic, mini Golden Doodle who has made my life so much better. Just a goofy, silly spirit who smiles and runs on her walks and spoons when it’s time for sleep. She’s super smart and has adapted really well. She’s very agreeable and lets me dress her up in outfits.She’s a great new friend. 

Truth be told, I had been praying for a little dog. My own dog again. Asking God to bring a new light into my world when he thought it was the right time. Well, he is faithful, and he did. Over the last few years, God has been working on me and restoring everything I had once lost in my life, one thing at a time. Ella is one of those things.

Studies show how animals brought to nursing homes change everything in a person from a physiological impact to an immediate heart transformation. I know the world can be rough and unfair, and so incredibly painful. Having a buddy to go through the good and the bad with you is just one way we get a glimpse of God here on Earth. At least, it is for me, anyway. 

Give your pal, the cat, dog, horse, mice, lamb, guinea pig… a smooch for me. Be good to them, they really are… gifts from God. 

Till next week my friends, 

Jen

QUICKER IS BETTER

Major League Baseball finally implemented new rules this year to quicken the pace of the game. A pitch clock, limited number of times a pitcher can throw over to first to keep a runner on base, a time limit for the hitter to step into the batter’s box and get set, are among the changes. MLB purists argue these new rules are ruining the game. Actually, the new rules are helping to return the game to the time these purists fell in love with it. 

In 1970, the average length of an MLB game was 2 hours and 30 minutes. In 2022 it had ballooned to 3 hours and 3 minutes. So far, in Spring Training, games are averaging 20-30 minutes shorter. The only question about the new rules? What took so long?

ONE DIGIT SALUTE

A Canadian judge has ruled that giving someone “the finger” can’t be considered a crime because it’s “a God given right.” A judge in Quebec made the ruling in a dispute between two neighbors. Neal Epstein was arrested after flashing two birds at his neighbor and was charged with harassment. “Flipping the bird is a God-given right that belongs to every red blooded Canadian,” said Judge Dennis Galiatsatos. He may be right, but we’re not sure God had that in mind with our middle digits.

GUILT BY ASSOCIATION

Disneyland is removing lyrics from the “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” song in the medley that plays during its MAGIC HAPPENS parade. The tune was removed and replaced in the set list by a song from the 1953 “Peter Pan” movie. “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” is from the 1946 “Song of the South” film that’s been criticized for black stereotypes and a rosy view of the post-Civil War south era. The song and characters also appeared on Disneyland and Disneyworld’s Splash Mountain attraction, which is currently experiencing a woke-enema rework at both parks. The ride’s new them will be from “Princess and the Frog.” For the record, there’s not one work in the lyrics of Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah that is offensive in any way.

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Ron St. Pierre is a veteran broadcaster whose career has spanned over four decades. Ron has programmed, performed on and managed WHJJ, WPRO, WWRX, 790 The Score in Providence, as well as WBZT and WKGR in West Palm Beach and WABC in New York City. Ron also anchored sports on WPRI Ch 12 in Providence. He is a member of both the Rhode Island Radio and Television and the City of Pawtucket Halls of Fame. He was born and raised in Pawtucket.

Jen Brien has over 20 years of radio broadcast experience having hosted shows on WPRO and WHJJ with Ron as well as her own shows on WRKO and WBZ in Boston, WXTK on Cape Cod and WHAM in Rochester, New York. Jen was born and raised in Woonsocket and served six years in the Army MP Canine Unit.

Hazel, Ron’s dog, makes regular appearances.

“Ron and Jen’s Great Escape” podcast, a more lighthearted look at the events happening around us, can be found on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts, with new episodes premiering each Wednesday and listen to Ron and Jen’s Great Escape on NewsRadio 920 and 104-7 FM, Saturday morning, 7am!