Old Dog Learned New Political Tricks

In his advancing years, Farley, a 13-year-old black Labrador retriever-German shepherd mix, was content to while away his days meeting and greeting customers in the one-hour photo studio his master owned in Sunland.

But when he was suddenly thrust into the spotlight in the summer of 1995, Farley became the poster-pooch for anyone who thought that politics was going to the dogs.

Farley was one of three candidates in the running for the honorary title of mayor of Sunland-Tujunga, bestowed upon the top seller of tickets sold by the local Chamber of Commerce.

Initially Farley’s master, Michael Lucas, entered the canine in the competition as a joke, but the campaign grew serious after Farley boosters began purchasing the $1 tickets.

The office is a symbolic, two-year title, but the race took on the aura of a politically charged crusade when his opponents criticized Farley’s candidacy as making a mockery of the post.

In a campaign led by Lucas and Dan Skywalker, manager of the photo studio, Farley even ran on a green platform, pledging to plant a tree in every yard if elected.

In the end, the three candidates--including the two-legged variety, Dick Starr, an AT&T; executive, and Wolfgang Schweinberger, owner of Chef Wolfgang’s Country Kitchen in Tujunga--raised $14,000 for the chamber and for charity.

For those keeping score, Starr emerged the official winner. But Farley assumed a role created just for him, honorary mascot.

Alas, only five months after his defeat, at the age of 13--91 in dog years--Farley died. But not before he put an indelible paw print on the foothill community.