Sept. 23, 2021 Letters to the Editor

Picked the wrong county to mess with

Editor:

These dirtbags running this Pot Grow must think we are a bunch of country rubes here.

Little do they know we have:

Tough Sheriff’s deputies, tough District Attorney’s Office and tough judges here in Douglas County, Nevada.

John Engels

Chairman

Board of County Commissioners

Thanks for helping animals in fire

Editor:

It goes without saying we should all be incredibly grateful for the efforts of the thousands of fire fighters, and support teams who have worked tirelessly to save one of the most beautiful areas on our planet, the Lake Tahoe Basin. They are still out on the fire lines, three weeks into this fast-moving marauder, protecting home, businesses and lives. This goes as well for our Law Enforcement agencies who have helped save many lives during these critical times. All of these selfless individuals are true heroes.

Catastrophes like this fire create ancillary emergencies that affect many families, and their beloved pets. Finding shelter and care for both can be a challenge during disasters. Fortunately, here in Douglas and El Dorado counties, we always have caring volunteers who always step up and offer to help. This was the case during the height of the Caldor fire, when a safe space was critically needed for all the family pets (and strays) who were displaced along with their owners. To accomplish this monumental task, one individual was “drafted” to put a shelter together.

Wendy Jones, of “TLC 4 Furry Friends Tahoe Paws,” accepted the job, and with virtually no staff or funds, was able to compile an impressive group of support agencies, to assist, including El Dorado County and Douglas County animal control, USDA, and an impressive number of volunteers to care for what turned out to be very large numbers of family pets. Wendy, and her team, acquired space at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in short order, and immediately started setting up and segregating cages for that covered the entire floor space of the fairgrounds main building, and almost immediately started accepting dogs and cats, rabbits, and exotic animal pets. The work didn't stop here. All “guests” had to be cataloged, fed, cleaned, walked (dogs only), and cared for. These tasks were accomplished by all of the great volunteers from as far away as San Diego, Las Vegas, but especially from the Carson Valley and Lake Tahoe, who worked tirelessly to care for these scared, stressed animals on a 24/7 basis.

Through out the three-week plus period the shelter was in operation, there were no losses or accidents, and all were successfully returned to their owners or shelters. The term “Hero” is overused in many instances, but in this case, these unsung individuals who unselfishly gave their time, and those who provided mountains of food, and supplies in support, are true hero's who stand beside the fire fighters, law enforcement and support teams to get us through this crisis.

Thank you all for the care you extended to our important family members.

D.A. Darrough

Minden

Vaccination doesn’t immunize

Editor:

I have noticed that the words "immunize" or "immunization" are now being used in the discussion about the coronavirus vaccines. Let's be clear. These vaccines do not confer immunity to this virus. We can tell this from the "breakthrough" cases we are seeing. Like the flu shot, these vaccines lessen the severity, but do not prevent illness from this virus. This is also why we are now told to wear a mask, no matter our vaccine status, despite what we were originally told. I've been vaccinated and immunized against numerous diseases, I just don't appreciate being mislead.

David and Kathi Hussman

Gardnerville