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Don't scare animals away from our John Chestnut Park

I have had the pleasure of visiting the Brooker Creek Preserve and could not agree more that it is a tranquil oasis absolutely teeming with life.

I wish I could say the same for John Chesnut Park in East Lake.

Lately, under new management, they seem to think that stripping the park of the ground cover is a good thing. Not only are they removing the hiding places for animals, but they are removing the sound barrier for the cars on East Lake Road. You can no longer forget that modern suburbia is just outside the gates, because you now see modern suburbia from your walk in the park.

The animals will suffer from this habitat destruction. This park was once a place for animals with humans as guests, but slowly it is being changed to a place for humans with wide open spaces and eventually no more wildlife.

Please, leave the park alone. Let it return to a tranquil oasis absolutely teeming with life.

Many thanks to those who helped rescue dog on U.S. 19

Re: U.S. 19 stands still as rescuers save dog, story, Dec. 25.

I write to express my appreciation for the thoughtfulness and kindness of the many people in Clearwater who combined their efforts to save my Westie, Chanel, from what could have been a disastrous fate on Christmas Eve.

To the unidentified couple who first stopped and told me they had seen my dog down the street; to mother and daughter Vickie Willis and Bridgette Puertas who started the pursuit and, once she was caught, took care of her; to Clearwater police Officer T.J. Miller, who helped with the traffic and called me to see if I had found Chanel; to Richard Danielson of the St. Petersburg Times who finally caught her; to the motorists who slowed their vehicles to avoid her, a number of whom parked their cars to join in the chase at the risk of their own lives; to the Pinellas County Animal Services who were there to connect me with Chanel - a big and heartfelt "thank you" for making our Christmas a happy one rather than a sad one.

You all prove why this city is a great community in which to live. I have made a donation to the Westie Foundation of America (a nonprofit organization that provides financial aid to support medical research to benefit the health of West Highland White Terriers) in the name of Chanel's rescuers so that other dogs will be helped also.

Best wishes to all of you for a very healthy, happy new year. And to those of you with canine companions, give them a special hug tonight!

Remember to say thanks to police officers

The life of a police officer is difficult indeed. When he deals with criminals, he is not likely to be thanked. Indeed, he spends large parts of his career dealing with people who strongly resent his very existence.

When he greets the majority of people, he seldom sees a happy face. How often are you glad to see those red and blue lights behind you in traffic and when you get pulled over?

But yet, where would we be without them? How long do you think civility would last if all the police took a few days off?

Some say that all too many of them have bad attitudes. I disagree, but to face the question, how would you feel in their position? How would you feel in your job if you were routinely criticized and never praised? Not very good, I suspect.

For more than five years I have been taking a few moments to say thank you to the officers I meet. Most are quite surprised and very much appreciate my thanks. If more of us would do that, their job would be much easier and more enjoyable.

So I ask you: When you next see a police officer, take off your sunglasses, let him or her look you in the eye, and say "Thank you for being an officer of the law." You will be appreciated.

[Last modified January 5, 2006, 01:18:19]