No one should be shamed for needing opioid medication
Editor: I am writing (with much appreciation) for Mr. Leaven's letter concerning opioid use. It could've been my letter! I too have chronic pain which can only be treated with opioid medication (back and neck pain) so I can try to live a more normal life. A life where I can hold my small grandchildren and play with them; and to be able to do my housework, etc.
I also (as Mr. Leaven) do not get a "high" using pain meds nor do I abuse those meds. I too have a very good doctor who wouldn't prescribe them if they weren't needed. My constant pain is a medical reason.
Now some are saying these meds should be banned or restricted. Really?! I already feel restricted as I take less pills each day than I could legitimately use.
All the opioid publicity seems to make out we ( who take them) as "druggies." We aren't, and it’s hurtful to hear that you almost don't want anyone to know you need to take pain medication. We are taking it because we need to. Please don't judge us.
OMA WAHL Lodi
A man and his dog a decade after adoption
Editor: Everybody, I've been wanting to write this for a long time.
I've got a dog namedl Cash. Why? I have a buddy that lived out on Woodbridge Road. One day we were having a beer on his front porch and along came this beautiful German shepherd. So my buddy and I started feeding her. She was obviously abused. It took a couple of weeks before we could even get close to her. A neighbor lady put an ad in the paper searching for the dog’s owner. Later that week someone came by and the dog instantly went and hid behind the house. She was afraid. My buddy told the person to get off his property.
Finally we called the SPCA. and someone came out and spent over an hour with the dog. Finally she said “all this dog wants is love.”
So what does my buddy do? He had two cats and he was afraid the dog might run in the road. He calls the pound and they picked her up. They said they weren't going to put her down.
Well, guess what! They were going to put her down on a Friday. So he and I went to the pound about 11 a.m. They didn't open until noon, so we waited and waited until they brought her out. I said how much do I owe you? I clenched when she said $170. So guess what? I paid cash. That was almost 10 years ago.
She is smart, beautiful and doesn't have a mean bone in her body.
Needless to say I love her!!
JEFF LODI Lodi
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