COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY
During a particularly busy Friday morning, our rough-coat collie escaped from our business on Lincoln Rd after a door was inadvertently left open. We recovered him after seven hours, but although this may seem a simple dog lost/found incident, I learnt three lessons.
The first was the enormous power of social media for good when used well. As soon as the posts appeared there were reports of Robbie in Amberley Ave, Flanshaw Rd, Tui Glen, and finally Alma St. He was being reported and photographed, and we were getting phone calls about his location. We then had contact from family in England, Australia and Canada, and a friend in the United States.
The second remarkable thing was that he crossed Lincoln Rd, Central Park Drive and
Edmonton Rd unscathed. We are truly amazed at this, and sincerely thank any drivers who had to brake to avoid him.
Thirdly, we are so grateful to our fellow Westies. A more caring, compassionate community would be hard to find. Having lived here for 52 years we are not surprised, but we are really impressed.
There were people we had never met who were out looking for Robbie, others were phoning us, and a customer drove up and down Lincoln Rd looking for him. Our lovable but wily escaper enjoyed his adventure, but survived only because Westies are such wonderful people. Thank you all, and well done.
JOHN NEWICK
Swanson
HUIA DAY TRIP
My family recently took me for a drive to Scragg Memorial, above Huia. What a delight to see that parks and reserves have maintained this superb memorial, built just after World War I, with dignity and respect. A pleasant lunch at the Huia Store made an excellent day out right on our doorstep.
RAEMA VALLELY
New Lynn
PETROL PRICING
I’d be the first to acknowledge the triviality of the question but why do all the petrol companies publicly promote on their roadside billboards the price of their fuel to tenths of one cent a litre? I cannot think of any other retail commodity marketed to us Kiwi commoners to tenths of one cent.
Driving down Henderson Valley Rd the other day the
ROBBER STEALS MOTORBIKE IN CEMETERY
I have to ask the question, why was Tyler Odell and his friends riding their motorbikes in the cemetery? Have they no respect? Perhaps the robber was as disgusted as I am at their behaviour. It is an absolute disgrace riding motorbikes in a cemetery. These boys need a good talking to.
CAROLINE JAMES
Te Atatu¯ South
WRITE TO US:
Letters should not exceed 250 words and must have full name, residential address and phone number. The editor reserves the right to edit and abridge. Opinions must be genuinely held by the letter writer. Letters may be referred to others for right of reply before publication. Mail: Western Leader, PO Box 21-167, Henderson. Email: edwl@snl.co.nz.