Over the past few months, the addition of a dog park in Roanoke has been a hot topic. Although such a park has been highly researched, a select group of individuals has taken up the classic “not-in-my-backyard” argument.
This group, determined to prevent the establishment of a dog park, has made every possible argument against such a facility. When their concerns are addressed in a logical and rational manner, they simply find a new excuse as to why a dog park shouldn’t come to Highland Park.
In his letter Aug. 8 (”Neighborhood doesn’t want proposed dog park”), Carl Rosen commented that “many longtime residents are opposed to this plan.” In reality, I’ve heard from only about 10 who are absolutely opposed. In a neighborhood of more than 1,000 residents, that’s not bad.
Dog park supporters have collected signatures from more than 115 neighborhood residents (plus more than 60 additional city residents) toward a petition supporting a dog park in Old Southwest. By my count, that’s more Old Southwest residents than not. I’m happy to share our list of supporters.
A German shepard that was reported lost in June has actually been guarding her owner’s body for six weeks since the man took his own life.
“Cash” the dog was found alive on Sunday, next to the body of her master, Jake Baysinger, 25, a resident of La Salle.
Baysinger was reported as missing and suicidal in late June.The dog disappeared at the same time.
A rancher spotted the dog Sunday on the Pawnee National Grassland. After a search, Baysinger’s body and a gun were found nearby. It’s believed Baysinger took his own life.Officials said there was evidence the dog ate mice and rabbits to stay alive.The dog is thin and dehydrated, but vets said she is OK.Investigators said the dog probably protected her master’s body by keeping coyotes away.
German shepherd who recovered the last survivor of the September 11, 2001 attacks is to be cloned. His owner, James Symington, a former police officer from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada entered an essay writing contest about why his dog should be cloned.
Trakr, the 15 year old German shepherd suffering from degenerative neurological disorder, was the subject of a contest-winning essay about why Trakr should be cloned that was written by Symington. Trakr and Symington received Humanitarian Service Awards from Jane Goodall for their heroics at Ground Zero. Symington is now an actor of film and television, sometimes credited as Peter James.
BioArts International sponsored the essay-writing contest. Five more dogs are to be cloned by its Best Friends Again program. While Trakr will receive free replication, the other dogs will have to participate in an auction with a starting bid of US$100,000.
BioArts is going to send the DNA of the 6 dogs to Sooam Biotech Research Foundation in Seoul, South Korea. A Sooam researcher said that the dog should be born in November.
