Pet letter requires response
To the editor:
I would like to respond to the letter to the editor that was published in the August 10, 2016, Star-Herald entitled, “ Pets deserve special attention.” The letter expressed the writer’s concern for my dog being in my car all day while I was at work.
First, I appreciate your concern for my dog and all dogs. However, information you received from an “employee” in the parking lot was not quite that accurate. This is a temporary situation; normally my dog would be at home with my wife while I was working. Secondly my employer does not allow dogs or other pets inside the hospital at any time; otherwise my dog would be in my office or some part of my office where he wouldn’t be in contact with any patients or their families. I called Doggie Day Care; they wouldn’t take him unless he was “fixed.” That’s not going to happen.
Shadow (my dog’s name) feels very safe in my car; it’s his home away from home. With all four windows down, air conditioning running (which controls the temperature so it doesn’t get excessively warm in the vehicle), dog food and treats, plus fresh water (with ice to keep it cool all day) to drink – he’s quite comfortable.
All dogs are different; Shadow is not afraid of thunder and/or lighting at home or in the car. His barking is not from stress, he barks at you or any stranger that approaches the car because he’s protecting his turf. That’s his car and being a stranger you are a threat to him and the vehicle.
Just to set the record straight, my dog gets walked before I go to work, at lunch time we walk or ride. So you see my little poodle is very loved and safe. I wouldn’t do anything to harm my Shadow, in fact if you checked the license plate on my vehicle is reads SHA-DOH.
Merrill Hersey
Presque Isle
