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Open Line Friday! (3/18/05)
Each Friday we will be posting articles or comments that VVAW affiliate members wish to share with the rest the group. See below for a list of this week's items.
First some announcements:
- photos from the 3/13/05 meeting in Fredericksburg will be posted soon
- a revised schedule (changes only to the layout) has been posted; we realize there are some conflicting dates, and these will be addressed shortly
Open Line Friday for 3/18/05
No Ugly Swans - submitted by Mollie McCurdy
Service Animals - submitted by Donna Pinnix
Faith, Jake, and Shell- submitted by Tammy Javier
Casey's House First Anniversary - submitted by Cindy Ingram
Howard - submitted by Donald Marro
No Ugly Swans - submitted by Mollie McCurdy
NO UGLY SWANS
By Charlotte Edwards, January 11, 2005
Where we live, on the Eastern shore of Maryland, the gentle waters run in and out like fingers slimming at the tips. They curl into the smaller creeks and coves like tender palms. The Canada geese know this place, as do the white swans and the ducks who ride an inch above the waves of Chesapeake Bay as they skim their way into harbor. In the autumn, by the thousands, they come home for the winter.
The swans move toward the shores in a stately glide, their tall heads proud and unafraid. They lower their long necks deep into the water, where their strong beaks dig through the river bottoms for food. And there is, between the arrogant swans and the prolific geese, an indifference, almost a disdain.
Once or twice each year, snow and sleet move into the area. When this happens, if the river is at its narrowest, or the creek shallow, there is a freeze, which hardens the water to ice.
It was on such a morning, near Osford, Maryland, that a friend of mine set the breakfast table beside the huge window, which overlooked the Tred Avon River. Across the river, beyond the dock, the snow laced the rim of the shore in white. For a
moment my friend stood quietly, looking at what the night's storm had painted.
Suddenly she leaned forward and peered close to the frosted window. "It really is," she cried out loud, "there is a goose out there." She reached to the bookcase and pulled out a pair of binoculars. Into their sights came the figure of a large Canada goose, very still, its wings folded tight to its sides, its feet frozen to the ice.
Then from the dark skies, she saw a line of swans. They moved in their own singular formation, graceful, intrepid, and free. They crossed from the west of the broad creek high above the house, moving steadily to the east.
As my friend watched, the leader swung to the right, then the white string of birds became a white circle. It floated from the top of the sky downward. At last, as easy as feathers coming to earth, the circle landed on the ice. My friend was on her feet now, with one unbelieving hand against her mouth.
As the swans surrounded the frozen goose, she feared what life he still had might be pecked out by those great swan bills.
Instead, amazingly instead, those bills began to work on the ice. The long necks were lifted and curved down, again and again; it went on for a long time. At last, the goose was rimmed by a narrow margin of ice instead of the entire creek.
The swans rose again, following the leader, and hovered in that circle, awaiting the results of their labors.
The goose's head lifted. Its body pulled. Then the goose was free and standing on the ice. He was moving his big webbed feet slowly. And the swans stood in the air watching. Then, as if he had cried, "I cannot fly," four of the swans came down
around him. Their powerful beaks scraped the goose's wings from top to bottom, scuttled under its wings and rode up its body, chipping off and melting the ice held in the feathers.
Slowly, as if testing, the goose spread its wings as far as they would go, brought them together, accordion-like, and spread again.
When at last the wings reached their fullest, the four swans took off and joined the hovering group. They resumed their eastward journey, in perfect formation, to their secret destination.
Behind them, rising with incredible speed and joy, the goose moved into the sky. He followed them, flapping double time, until he caught up, until he joined the last end of the line, like a small child at the end of a crack-the-whip of older boys.
My friend watched them until they disappeared over the tips of the farthest trees. Only then, in the dusk, which was suddenly deep, did she realize that tears were running down her cheeks and had been for how long she didn't know.
This is a true story. It happened. I do not try to interpret it. I just think of it in the bad moments, and from it comes only one hopeful question: "If so for birds, why not for man?
Reprinted with permission from www.rense.com
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COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SERVICE ANIMALS IN PLACES OF BUSINESS - submitted by Donna Pinnix (though she is not the author)
1. Q: What are the laws that apply to my business?
A: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), privately owned businesses that serve the public, such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, taxicabs, theaters, concert halls, and sports facilities, are prohibited from discriminating against individuals with disabilities. The ADA requires these businesses to allow people with disabilities to bring their service animals onto business premises in whatever areas customers are generally allowed.
2. Q: What is a service animal?
A: The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. If they meet this definition, animals are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government.
Service animals perform some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself. "Seeing eye dogs" are one type of service animal, used by some individuals who are blind. This is the type of service animal with which most people are familiar. But there are service animals that assist persons with other kinds of disabilities in their day-to-day activities. Some examples include:
_ Alerting persons with hearing impairments to sounds.
_ Pulling wheelchairs or carrying and picking up things for persons with mobility impairments.
_ Assisting persons with mobility impairments with balance.
A service animal is not a pet.
3. Q: How can I tell if an animal is really a service animal and not just a pet?
A: Some, but not all, service animals wear special collars and harnesses. Some, but not all, are licensed or certified and have identification papers. If you are not certain that an animal is a service animal, you may ask the person who has the animal if it is a service animal required because of a disability. However, an individual who is going to a restaurant or theater is not likely to be carrying documentation of his or her medical condition or disability. Therefore, such documentation generally may not be required as a condition for providing service to an individual accompanied by a service animal. Although a number of states have programs to certify service animals, you may not insist on proof of state certification before permitting the service animal to accompany the person with a disability.
4. Q: What must I do when an individual with a service animal comes to my business?
A: The service animal must be permitted to accompany the individual with a disability to all areas of the facility where customers are normally allowed to go. An individual with a service animal may not be segregated from other customers.
5. Q: I have always had a clearly posted "no pets" policy at my establishment. Do I still have to allow service animals in?
A: Yes. A service animal is not a pet. The ADA requires you to modify your "no pets" policy to allow the use of a service animal by a person with a disability. This does not mean you must abandon your "no pets" policy altogether but simply that you must make an exception to your general rule for service animals.
6. Q: My county health department has told me that only a seeing eye or guide dog has to be admitted. If I follow those regulations, am I violating the ADA?
A: Yes, if you refuse to admit any other type of service animal on the basis of local health department regulations or other state or local laws. The ADA provides greater protection for individuals with disabilities and so it takes priority over the local or state laws or regulations.
7. Q: Can I charge a maintenance or cleaning fee for customers who bring service animals into my business?
A: No. Neither a deposit nor a surcharge may be imposed on an individual with a disability as a condition to allowing a service animal to accompany the individual with a disability, even if deposits are routinely required for pets. However, a public accommodation may charge its customers with disabilities if a service animal causes damage so long as it is the regular practice of the entity to charge non-disabled customers for the same types of damages. For example, a hotel can charge a guest with a disability for the cost of repairing or cleaning furniture damaged by a service animal if it is the hotel's policy to charge when non-disabled guests cause such damage.
8. Q: I operate a private taxicab and I don't want animals in my taxi; they smell, shed hair and sometimes have "accidents." Am I violating the ADA if I refuse to pick up someone with a service animal?
A: Yes. Taxicab companies may not refuse to provide services to individuals with disabilities. Private taxicab companies are also prohibited from charging higher fares or fees for transporting individuals with disabilities and their service animals than they charge to other persons for the same or equivalent service.
9. Q: Am I responsible for the animal while the person with a disability is in my business?
A: No. The care or supervision of a service animal is solely the responsibility of his or her owner. You are not required to provide care or food or a special location for the animal.
10. Q: What if a service animal barks or growls at other people, or otherwise acts out of control?
A: You may exclude any animal, including a service animal, from your facility when that animal's behavior poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others. For example, any service animal that displays vicious behavior towards other guests or customers may be excluded. You may not make assumptions, however, about how a particular animal is likely to behave based on your past experience with other animals. Each situation must be considered individually.
Although a public accommodation may exclude any service animal that is out of control, it should give the individual with a disability who uses the service animal the option of continuing to enjoy its goods and services without having the service animal on the premises.
11. Q: Can I exclude an animal that doesn't really seem dangerous but is disruptive to my business?
A: There may be a few circumstances when a public accommodation is not required to accommodate a service animal--that is, when doing so would result in a fundamental alteration to the nature of the business. Generally, this is not likely to occur in restaurants, hotels, retail stores, theaters, concert halls, and sports facilities. But when it does, for example, when a dog barks during a movie, the animal can be excluded.
If you have further questions about service animals or other requirements of the ADA, you may call the U.S. Department of Justice's toll-free ADA Information Line at 800-514-0301 (voice) or 800-514-0383 (TDD).
DUPLICATION OF THIS DOCUMENT IS ENCOURAGED.
7/96
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Faith, Jake and Shell - submitted by Tammy Javier
On February 25, 2005, Planned Pethood Clinic Office Manager Jennifer Martin was on her way to work when she noticed a cat sitting in the middle of the road. A younger cat was sitting close by keeping a watchful vigil. Jennifer pulled over to see why the cat wasn’t running away and quickly discovered that the cat was injured. As Jennifer attempted to get the injured cat into the car, the younger cat ran away and still has not been found.
“Faith”, as the injured cat has now been named, was obviously hit by a car and left to die. Jennifer took Faith to a full service veterinarian where she was diagnosed with head trauma, broken teeth and a possible broken pelvis. Faith is a black, medium hair domestic. She is approximately 1 year old and has been vaccinated, de-wormed and tested negative for Felv/FIV. She is extremely affectionate and doesn’t hold a grudge against humans for hitting her and leaving her to die. Faith is available for adoption to an approved home only. If you are interested in adopting Faith or helping with her medical bills, please contact Tammy Javier at (540) 493-1414 or by email at gypclady@aol.com.
Jake is a very sweet one year old Male Lab/Coonhound mix, who is scheduled to be gassed on 3/22/05. He was turned in as a stray to the Franklin County pound, so he is not available until 3/22/05, which is the same day he is scheduled to be gassed.
Jake
Shell (no photo available) is a very sweet 1 1/2 year old Golden Retriever/Yellow Lab mix, neutered male, approximately 30 lbs, has had his shots, and is housebroken. He is currently with a foster home, but is available for adoption.
If you can help Faith, Jake or Shell, please contact Tammy Javier at (540) 493-1414 or by email at gypclady@aol.com.
Planned Pethood Clinic
18401 Virgil Goode Highway
Rocky Mount, VA 24151
To make an appointment for spay/neuter please call us at:
(540)489-3491
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Casey's House Celebrates its First Year Anniversary - submitted by Cindy Ingram
Come Join Us For Our 1st Anniversary!
Casey's House Is Celebrating Our First Year!
Where: 161 Pine Grove Rd. Bluemont, VA 20135
May 21, 2005 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
All You Can Eat Seafood Dinner
$15 In Advance/$20 At The Door.
(Tickets On Sale Soon!)
(Vegetarian Dinner Available Upon Advance Request)
Pet Adoptions All Day!!
Other Rescue Groups Are Invited To Bring
Their Adult and Special Needs
Animals For Adoption!
Call Cindy at 540-955-6348
For More Info!
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HOWARD
My bed is now an emptier space bereft of Howard
a fine canine who came to us broken and problem-ridden
but bright-eyed and always ready to smile and kiss
My heart is now an emptier space bereft of Howard
a fine canine who Hilleary and Jack saved and fixed
and passed to us to add to our home and hearts
My life is now an emptier space bereft of Howard
a fine canine who guarded, protected, loved, played
and brightened my life and my wife’s, and everyone else who
lived or visited here, especially Bob who I know
will name a bridge or highway in his honor
My life has been a fuller life, graced by Howard
a fine canine whose courage, joy and capacity for affection
given and accepted were remarkable gifts from God
My heart has been a gentler heart, fuller too, for Howard
a fine canine whose gait was peculiar, whose ears were floppy
and whose touch and presence were calming, calmness, narcotic
My head is now a gentler head, fuller too, for Howard
a fine canine wracked by cancer and pulmonary problems
but standing silently by my side as I write this
and wait for those who will help him one last time
Donald Marro
9/23/04