Worms and dogs

[Re: “Worm love,” News, Front, Dec. 11] I agree with Chris Barry: there’s absolutely nothing not to love about composting. As a dog owner, I can also appreciate the relationship one can develop with these vermicompost worms his article spoke about. 

The benefits of dog companionship have been well documented and described. It doesn’t take a psychologist to figure out that these creatures add immensely to our lives. We trust them to serve and protect our disabled, find our lost soul, and work alongside our law enforcement officials. They do all this selflessly and without hesitation. 

Having a dog is also a responsibility, which requires an important commitment. If we didn’t care for their needs, our four-legged friends would wither, as Chris’s worms would if he stopped feeding them his scraps. 

Now, I hate to poop on Chris’s little joke about poo, but I just want to set the record straight. The vast majority of dog owners actually pick up after their dogs rather than leave their droppings for neighbours to walk on, as he implied. 

I half smiled when I read his witty quip, and then I remembered how little some people understand the realities of having a dog. Like humans, dogs usually need to defecate as many as two times a day. Since many people cover the same territory when walking their dog in town, it only takes one irresponsible dog owner to make walking the neighbourhood sidewalks a perilous activity.

Imagine now if, as some appear to think, the vast majority of dog owners actually did this. Snow removal activities would pale in comparison to dog doo removal needs.

Thanks and congratulations to composters and to all the responsible dog owners on the Island of Montreal. Hopefully, we’ll both increase our respective numbers. I somehow doubt that people who are environmentally aware enough to consider owning a vermicompost would also consider leaving their dog droppings behind for others to walk in.  And responsible dog owners are likely to view composting as a favourable alternative to traditional waste disposal.

>>Paul Bélair, VP Communications, Dog Owners’ Association of Verdun

Go vegan, save planet

[Re: “Feel-good fashion,” News, Front, Oct. 30] Your article mentioned that Nov. 1 was World Vegan Day, however, it’s quite disappointing that in this day of heightened environmental consciousness, many other media outlets gave this no mention.

The planet is fighting global warming on an unprecedented scale. And the glum truth is that the methane, hydrogen sulphide and nitrous oxide emissions of millions of cows, sheep and pigs bred and raised specifically for food contribute to global warming even more than the carbon dioxide spewed by cars and trucks.

Animal agriculture also pollutes the waterways far more than growing plants. In order to fight global warming, it’s important to cut back both on car use and meat consumption.

For the sake of health, the environment and the animals, it’s best to go vegan or vegetarian. However, if one continues to be a carnivore, one can choose to eat meat less often.

>>Manish Patwari

Left-wing hacks vs. Bush

[Re: “Get Milk,” Film, Dec. 4] I’m not too pleased Matthew Hays called my President a “right-wing creep,” although this seems to say more about left-wing hacks like Hays than it does about George W. Bush.

God Bless America.

>>Martin Schrick

Police do good

The Montreal police, notified by a friend, came by my home to prevent me from hurting myself and to take me to the hospital for help. The police noticed the boucan of dope. They both mentioned it. But it was clear their intention was to help me from the start.

They didn’t judge me for using dope to mute the pain in my life. To a guy thinking of taking his life, they were nothing short of angels.

I call them how I see them, the Montreal police are not always bad. Sometimes they save lives.

>>Ballet Gangster

Mirror writer rundown

Rupert Rottenberg rhymes. Lorraine Carpenter copies. Johnson Cummins johnsons. Mark Slutsky salivates. Jack Oatmon oatmeal. Matthew Hays betcha can’t eat just one. Malcolm falcom. Morgan Steiker, whiteker. Scott C. RIP. Front hunt. Chris hairy Barry masturbaterrian. Patrick Lejtenyi Zejbenmurgi. RantLine whodunnit. Load-Down slow down. Sasha, good vibrations, amazon.com. Erik Leijon: 1.5. Couch: 9. Victory! Yes? Mustard. Neil Boyce choice-pick. Slick Rick Trembles boobie legend. Christopher Hazou you do. Can’t wait for next week. Will be at Berri metro waiting.

>>Zack Legomaniac

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