The Times Advocate, 2008-01-30, Page 44
Times—Advocate
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
OC
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TIMES ADVOCATE
Editorial Opinion
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Doug Rowe -General Manager, Southwestern Ontario Division
EDITORIAL
Liberals rising?
Wt' e he's rightly been the target of
much criticism over his leadership of
he Liberal Party for the past year,
Stephane Dion just might be doing something
right.
Or is it just a case of Canadians becoming tired of
Stephen Harper and the Conservatives? After all,
Harper's minority government has lasted much longer
than most predicted it would and a major reason for
that is probably the Grits' inability to get themselves
ready for an election.
But a Canadian Press Harris-Decima poll released
earlier this week indicates there may be light at the end
of the tunnel for Dion — his party was the number one
choice for 32 per cent of respondents in the poll, three
percentage points ahead of the Conservatives at 29 per
cent. The NDP came in at 16 per cent, followed by the
Greens at 12 per cent. The Bloc Quebecois finished
with nine per cent, but were first in Quebec with 37 per
cent.
Importantly for the Liberals, they lead the
Conservatives in both Ontario and Quebec.
In truth, the numbers aren't great for Dion and the
Liberals, either, but they must take some satisfaction in
watching the Tories' popularity falter, due probably to
a number of reasons, most noticeably Canada's contin-
uing role in the war in Afghanistan, which has been the
toughest issue Harper has faced.
Harper, in endorsing last week's Manley commission
report, has rightly asked that NATO allies send in 1,000
more troops to the dangerous Kandahar region to
assist Canadian troops. Canadians have seen casualties
mount while some of their allies play it safe in the
northern part of Afghanistan. Enough is enough.
"Canada has done what it said it would do and more,"
Harper said. "We now say we need help I think if
NATO can't come through with that help, then I think
quite frankly NATO's own reputation and future will be
in grave jeopardy."
Should NATO deliver on Harper's request, it will be a
minor coup for the prime minister. He has said Canada
will remain in the war for the duration if NATO pro-
vides the troops and helps with equipment.
But if Canadians have decided they've had enough of
the war, Afghanistan may spell the end of Harper's
minority government. And that's just what Dion and the
Liberals are hoping for.
How can you shoot a dog?
As I've expressed several times before, I am a huge
animal lover, having two dogs and five cats (although
one is technically the neighbour's).
So, recently while my mother and I were making a
stop at the vet's with my little cat "Scotty," who needs a
leg amputation, I saw one of the most devastating sights
I've ever seen in my whole life.
While my mother and I were waiting for our
appointment, a woman brought out a dog
"Gabe," who had miraculously survived a gun-
shot wound to the back.
Someone had actually taken a shot gun and
had blown a pound of flesh and tendons off his
back, apparently just for something to do.
"Gabe," found on a First Nations reserve, was
rescued by the London-based volunteer chapter
of the Animal Rescue Foundation Ontario (A.R.F).
He needed three reconstructive surgeries, but
"Gabe" is alive, although I'm sure traumatized but
recovering well.
A.R.F. retrieves unwanted stray dogs from rural
areas, many coming from First Nations Reserves
that don't fall under the the jurisdiction of govern-
ment -funded animal and control agencies.
Sadly, according to A.R.F., shooting a dog is actually a
common occurrence when someone wants to get rid of
it. Dumping the dog somewhere in the country is also
another method used.
And I believe this, as I live in a small town surrounded
by the country, and several times over the years I've
seen "wild" dogs running rapid, along with many stray
cats.
So after seeing "Gabe," who was a huge sweetheart, I
decided I needed to get involved somehow.
As I researched A.R.F, who in 2007 rescued over 365
animals, I realized, without a doubt, that I wanted to be
part of it.
And I was planning on bringing my parents into it too,
as I still live with them and I was hoping we could
become a foster family for a puppy. A.R.F is in urgent
need of foster families.
Convincing my mother was easy, as her
heart is just as big as mine when it comes to
animals.
My father, I thought would be a little tricki-
er. He loves animals, but most of our other
animals were all strays, and I was sure he
wouldn't want anymore furballs in the home.
This was actually not the case at all, and
strangely he even told my mother and I that
we could foster two puppies if possible.
You see, the key to this story is "foster"
family. We won't be keeping the puppy but
we'll train, socialize and prepare the puppy
for its permanent home for about four weeks.
There are certain guidelines to fostering,
and a volunteer application must be filled
out, which is understandable.
So, I'm hoping our family is a good candidate to
becoming a foster family. I think it's an experience
which would be extremely rewarding. And the best part
— after fostering the puppy for the one-month commit-
ment, we're involved with the adoption process, having
a say in who gets our foster puppy.
I encourage everyone, if you have the time, to check
into becoming a foster family or volunteering for A.R.F.
in another way. Visit www.arfontario.com for more
information.
NINA
VAN
LIESHOUT
KICK THIS
AROUND
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