For many, pets are like members of the family. Animal Control has stepped in to help. Recently, Animal Control picked up and cared for a dog that was left unattended inside a patient's home when he came to the emergency room and had to remain in the hospital. They took the dog to the Animal Control kennel in Lakeport, where it was fed, walked and slept in heated kennels.

They even offered to transport the dog back and forth from the kennel to the hospital, so that the patient could have a brief visits. When the patient left the hospital, Animal Control officers were available to help re-unite the dog with his owner and provided all the necessary dog-related transportation.

In a second recent instance, an emergency department patient was extremely worried about her cats when she was transferred to another hospital outside the county. Because of the emergency, several cats were left inside the house without food or water and she was unable to provide next of kin or other contact information. Animal Control worked with the police to gain entry to rescue the indoor cats, provided food and water for the outside cats and they even helped locate next of kin.

In both these instances and many others, Animal Control has gone out of their way to help our patients and their pets. We are grateful for their help and support. Their genuine concern for the people and animals within our community is heartwarming.

Jetta Meadows is a social worker with Redbud Community Hospital.

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A new G.I. Bill was necessary as the old one worked fine for the 1940s and 1950s, but not so good for 2008. We owe our sons and daughters no less.

I've been publicly busting your chops over it so the thanks should come in no less a form. Better late than never so THANK YOU Mikey T.

Donna Christopher lives in Lucerne.

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I was with Mr. Berkey my partner of 34 years, and we questioned only his tactics, not his constitutional rights. The manager of Wal-Mart said that the gentleman in question refused to give his name, or the agents who have paid him to collect signatures. I would think that any voter would need this information before he signed the petition.

What is the gentleman hiding? If his signature collecting is completely legitimate, why doesn’t he divulge the simple information any other petitioner gladly submits.

At no time did we say NO DON’T SIGN, please read the letter again. We merely suggested – be sure you know what you are signing.

Harold Riley live in Clearlake.

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I firmly believe that if you are able to hurt or abuse an animal in your teen years that there is a possibility for sick people like that to become serial killers. I feel that if they are let off to lightly they won't get the message of how serious something like this is. I feel they should both be made to have extensive counseling, do county authority facility time and a large fine should be tacked on to that so the parents of these girls are aware of the seriousness. I would hope that they are given community service work, volunteer work, yard work, house work whatever it takes to make sure they are never bored again.

Billie Huff lives in Rodeo.

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