Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 17, 1994 TAG: 9501060007
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Dear Neighbors:
We returned recently from a month in Europe, during which time we had left our car in the Roanoke Airport Car Park. When we went to claim it, the driver's side window was covered with several taped-on plastic garbage bags.
After the initial shock, we found we had left the window open, but all else locked.
While not sure how we were so careless, we are certainly grateful to the very thoughtful stranger who went to such trouble to protect the car from rain.
I have no idea whom to thank, but such a good deed deserves attention and quite restores faith in basic human goodness.
It made for a very special homecoming for us.
Virginia M. Scott
Buena Vista .
Dear Neighbors:
I am writing in hope that you can help get a point across to people, mainly parents and children.
I am an owner of a Rottweiler. He is a very big dog, weighing approximately 180 pounds. I feel as if my Ru (that's his name) is just as much part of my family as my 12-year-old daughter.
I enjoy taking Ru with me out in public every chance I get. He has been to the Roanoke City Market, and he often accompanies me to the flea market, on a leash, of course.
People often ask, "Does your dog bite?" This is usually after they have stuck their face or hands right down to Ru's face.
The only reply I can give is, "He hasn't yet."
Come on, people! Get real! Although he is very well-behaved, and I feel I have done everything possible to make him a very sociable dog, he is an animal.
I have him for two reasons: companionship and protection.
I do not feel he was made to be kept on a chain or in a pen 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
I appreciate the compliments and admiration I get about him. All I ask is please have as much respect for my dog as I have for you and your children.
I will not let him jump on you or get in your face, but he is a very intimidating size and breed of dog.
I can't tell you he won't bite because, just like people have bad days, maybe dogs do, too. But I prefer a Rottweiler to a poodle. That's what makes this country great: Freedom of choice.
Rebecca Gibson
Roanoke
by CNB