Michelle Cook, a Democrat challenging incumbent Republican state Rep. Anne Ruwet for the District 65 House seat that includes most of Torrington, has made door-to-door campaigning a centerpiece of her campaign.
She has been out knocking on doors almost every day since June, she said, and although you can "see some unusual things," has had no negative experiences with dogs, lawn sprinklers or other neighborhood hazards.
Rep. Roberta Willis (D-Salisbury), who convinced Cook to run, gave her some tips on avoiding the pitfalls.
"(Carry some) dog biscuits," a Cook aide said.