LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The County That

Stole Christmas

Less than a week before Christmas, while riding THE Bus, all the people are whining and throwing a fuss. There's no jobs in Brooksville, no jobs in Spring Hill, no money for a tree or stockings to fill. Bus fare went up, our wages went down, don't have a quarter to get around town. No food for the hungry, no homes for the poor; they don't want to live in Hernando no more.

No food on the table, no holiday cheer. Where went the happiness we used to have here? Used to be able to be giving and share; now only sad faces and frowns everywhere. Homes in foreclosure, our savings depleted; the county did nothing when actions were needed. Commissioners got raises; we got stabbed in the back. Now Santa can't buy toys to put in his sack.

No remorse from the county for the hurt that they've caused, only more taxes, more fees and more loss. Hope on the horizon, probably no way; Christmas is meant to be cheerful and gay. We came to Hernando with dreams of succeeding, not being robbed by the county and bleeding.

No Santa, no reindeer, no presents to share; it's been said that we have the highest unemployment rate here.

No carolers singing; there's no happy song; all joy in Hernando County is gone. 2008 is behind us, the future looks bleak; but the thing to remember - it is Christmas week.

So, friends, count your blessings, forget all the scorn; and remember why Christ, Our Savior, was born.

Steven K. Poulsen

Spring Hill

Take Care Of Your Pets

On Monday, Dec. 1, my beautiful American Spitz "Snow" passed away. I got him from the SPCA shelter two years ago. He had been there three months when I rescued him. He had bad teeth, was being treated for heartworms and had never been neutered. They said he was 10 years old. We took him for his last heartworm treatment and a month later to be neutered and his teeth cleaned. Well, his teeth were so bad that they all fell out when he tried to clean them. So you know that dog had never been taken care of properly.

He died so suddenly. At least he wasn't in any pain (that we knew of). He had developed a bad cough and seemed a bit sluggish at times but was still alert and did all the things he had been doing.

The vet said it was probably a heart attack that killed him. I think that having had heartworms for who knows how long and the cough attacks were what led to the heart attack.

He was a sweet, gentle dog who liked everyone. He loved going to the children on our corner waiting for the school bus. When my pain heals, I will probably look for another dog; but I know I will never find another "Snow." He was one of a kind.

The point of this letter is to remind people that when they get an animal to please get all their shots, have them checked for everything and clean their teeth. Of course, if you adopt from a shelter (which you should), all that is taken care of for you.

Nancy Eslick

Brooksville