Letters for Saturday, December 9, 2006

• A doggone shame

• A taste of his own medicine

• My Kaua‘i dog

• Where are Laird and Dave when you need them?

• No respect!

• From one Postmaster

• A heartfelt thanks

• The greatest gift of all

A doggone shame

Thank you, anonymous tipster, for reporting the animal abuse in Anahola (“Anahola man charged after 3 dead dogs, 17 starved, found,” Dec. 8). If not for you, the front page TGI story could have been much worse.

Hopefully, the remaining 17 dogs can be saved. You should be proud of yourself for taking action instead of remaining silent. If only more would do the same.

Lihu‘e

A taste of his own medicine

I think jail time and or fines is to good for Steve A. Cummings. He needs to have a chain or rope tied around his neck and then be locked in a dog kennel without any food or water. Let’s see how long it takes him to starve to death.

I’m so sick of all these people hurting these innocent animals and all they get is a slap on the wrist. If he didn’t want the dogs then why didn’t he turn them in to the Kauai Humane Society? If the dogs were not adopted at least they would be put to sleep in a humane way.

This has got to stop!!!

Kalaheo

My Kaua‘i dog

Almost 71/2 years ago, my husband found our wonderful dog Ruby at the Wailua Golf Course. We were Kaua‘i residents at the time.

Ruby and her brother had been put in cardboard boxes, and the tops of the boxes removed. The boxes were wrapped with fishing line to keep the dogs in the boxes, and set on the beach so that the tide would carry them out.

Ruby was able to get out of her situation. She got the attention of two women golfers to help with the brother. The dogs then wondered up to the starting area where my husband first saw Ruby. Both dogs were starved to a skin and bone state.

They were taken to the shelter, and we adopted Ruby. She was only about 4 months old and very shy. The first day we had her, she became very ill and spent a week at the vet. At that time, we were told she had also been abused. She recovered completely, and grew to be a 75-pound, beautiful, healthy and happy dog.

When we moved from Kaua‘i, she came with us to California. She still has the Aloha spirit. She is known to all as “Ruby of Kaua‘i.”

I hope the man who abused and starved those poor dogs get the full punishment allowed.

Santa Maria, Calif.

Where are Laird and Dave when you need them?

There has been some criticism that Costco and Wal-Mart use cheap oil to transport goods to Kaua‘i.

How do Big Save, Safeway, Star Market and the mom-and-pop stores transport merchandise to the island, paddleboard?

Lihu‘e

No respect!

Like many people on Kaua‘i, I like to ride my bicycle. Most drivers show us respect by pulling over and slowing down while passing on the highway. However, there are those meatheads that think we do not belong on the roads and try to edge us off the road by either cutting in close or yelling or blasting their horns. If these people want to act like (jerks) maybe they should think about family members right in their own neighborhoods they would not like to see either injured or killed by someone acting like they do.

Some of my friends have been severely injured and killed by idiots trying to get a few minutes off their time — SLOW DOWN!

I am sure that the license number of anyone harassing a bicyclist — with either their vehicle or personally — turned over to the KPD, could be used in a prosecution.

START RESPECTING BICYCLISTS!

Kilauea

From one Postmaster

to another: Congrats

I would just like to reiterate congratulations to Mark Gowan for Postmaster of the Year (“Lihu‘e’s Gowan Postmaster of the Year,” Dec. 2).

I worked under Mark in Sutter Creek, Calif. as his clerk, and now am a peer as a Postmaster — he is a most deserving candidate!

Amador City, Calif.

A heartfelt thanks

It was some time ago I had asked for some help looking for my childhood hero, Gail Silva (Letters, Dec. 5). I had about 18 calls from Kaua‘i people telling me they will help me find Gail.

I was in tears as I did get a call from Gail — my dream come true.

Thank you all for the help. Kaua‘i has a lot of angels with big hearts.

We are trying to get together to see one another at this point. I’ll let you all know when that happens.

Thank you all so much.

Mineola, Texas

The greatest gift of all

The latest Playstation ads fill the television screens this holiday season. Whether it’s the new Elmo or the latest action figures, the television fills a parent’s head in anticipation.

Living on a small island always make one realize that the stock is limited of any certain item prized to be found under a child’s tree. Rushing out to capture the prize will pay great dividends in establishing a positive parental image in the eyes of one’s children.

But I have a better idea. Put those constant television ads on the back burner. Rearrange your schedule and block off lumps of precious time and give your child the greatest gift of all: the focus of your attention. Let them see that there is nothing more important in your life than them. You can even gift-wrap such a gift with the magnificence of this beautiful island, which offers endless special activities a parent and child can enjoy. You only get one shot at being a parent and, I assure you, your child will cherish the gift.

Feliz Navidad.

Lihu‘e