Act of kindness
Following the commemorative service this morning at the Port Macquarie War Memorial my wife took me to lunch at “LVs on Clarence”.
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On completion of the meal she went to pay our bill only to discover a very kind gentleman at a nearby table had, unbeknownst to us, settled our account.
As he had departed before us we had no way of expressing our thanks personally for his much appreciated random act of kindness.
We who served in Vietnam all those years ago and were fortunate to return are truly touched by such consoling gestures; in this instance by a fellow citizen unknown to us.
Through the medium of the Port News I’d like to express my sincere thanks and to conclude by adding we have a wonderful, caring community in the Hastings as evidenced by this gentleman.
John Ingram O.A.M.
Save our greyhounds
As a greyhound lover, advocate, fosterer and adoption group volunteer, I was ecstatic when I saw PETA Australia’s media statement that a New South Wales state ban on greyhound racing had been announced.
But seriously, it’s long overdue that this ban went national. How many more greyhound deaths at the track each year does it have to take?
With up to 17,000 healthy greyhounds dying annually at the hands of the industry, 200 dogs reported injured during official races each week and the “lucky” survivors living in appalling conditions, the biggest tragedy is that this industry hasn’t been shut down sooner.
To see how desperately sad things have become, one only has to look at Bossey, one of five greyhounds found by RSPCA inspectors in a raid on a farm in Western Sydney. They had been living and sleeping on a stinking, muddy floor in a dark shed. Bossey was severely underweight, lame and limping on three legs - the pain in the greyhound’s eyes was palpable.
And the punishment? A $10,000 slap on the wrist, whilst also being able to keep the dog. Clearly the worst punishment being meted out here is to poor Bossey.
How society has failed these beautiful animals.
I see that National Greyhound Racing United are bleating and blustering that for every bad person in the sport, there’s 2000 good ones.
That is, when they’re having a break from smearing the name of New South Wales Premier Mike Baird. And it appears that the Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association has hastily formed an industry alliance to campaign against the ban.
Perhaps the many (but undisclosed) dollars they are spending on their grandstanding could be better invested in re-homing some of the many greyhounds needing a forever couch. Or simply paying some vet bills.
The GBOTA’s campaign theme is ‘Racing to a Respected Future’.
In my experience, the couch is the only place a greyhound wants to race to. Sure, their campaign may go on for a long time, but it will be nowhere near as long as I will be fighting to get every last loving, lazy greyhound a soft bed and a forever home.
And I would say to anyone considering adoption, you’ll never go back once you realise the power of sharing your lounge with a hound.
Brione Sargent
Alderley
Support breast cancer group
The next meeting of Port Macquarie-Hastings Breast Cancer Support Group will be held 10am Friday 19th August, at Port Macquarie Library. Sheryl from Heart to Heart Lingerie will be Guest speaker.
Any lady who has had a breast cancer diagnosis is very welcome to share the friendship and information. Morning tea provided. Contact Judith 6585 5394.