Puppies and kittens aren’t things to be given as Christmas presents

Opinion: December 21, 2014 at 12:00a.m.

This is the time of year when people get it into their heads that puppies and kittens make great Christmas presents. With the growing problem of abused, abandoned and starving animals on the rise, and shelters filled to their capacities with sad looking animals, it’s necessary to re-think this thought.

Animals do not make great Christmas presents; in fact, an animal should never be bought or adopted with that goal in mind. Rather, puppies, dogs, kittens, cats and other animals should be rescued with the mind-set that they are a member of a family and will be loved and taken care of properly for the rest of their lives and treated with respect. If there is anything that gets to me more, it’s someone adopting an animal and then six months later changing their mind that they made a “mistake” by purchasing them and then abandoning or dropping them off at a humane society, or even worse, leaving them beside the road in a box to die.

Animals are a lot of work, yes, but they can be a very rewarding member of a person’s family and bring a lot of joy to the right person. They take a lot of money, care, time and effort but what you put into them you receive back ten-fold and they will love and cherish you forever if you treat them properly. Please be responsible when deciding if a pet is right for your family or not.

And last but not least, Columbiana County Humane Society recently was in the news saying that they were at full capacity with their 47 animals and could not accept any more due to lack of funds. Won’t you please consider giving them a small donation this Christmas to help them out with food and necessities to keep the animals fed and in good care until they can be adopted? This is the season to spread some good cheer and joy and what better way to do that than to make a donation to them and other humane societies and shelters in Mahoning and Trumbull counties, too.

Yvonne Palagano, Boardman

Parents should teach children to respect the law and officers

In reading about “officer re- lated shooting and deaths,” the focus appears to be all about the race issue, when I believe it is not.

Yes, we have had several recent news stories about deaths at the hands of police officers. This is a daily risk that is possible each and every time an officer starts his shift. They make “a vow” to their family, to come home. Split decisions are required, based on impulse, training, and anticipated life threats. Do I act or wait and see if the risk of life is for real? Who shoots first? Shall I become injured or disarmed? Am I concerned about a lawsuit? Will I become a target or focus of racial tension? The average citizen is unaware of all the thought process that ultimately results in the officers’ actions.

Recently an Akron police officer was murdered while off duty trying to keep the peace in a local tavern, and at the hands of an African American male. I attended this all-day funeral with others from our hometown, in a motorcade of hundreds of cruisers and wept with thousands of others. There were no riots, no damage, no assaults, and no vandalism. Why? Race wasn’t (made to be) the issue ... it was about a criminal act against another human being.

Did you know statistics show more African Americans are killed by their own race than whites? That the majority of police officers in this country never kill or shoot at a suspect their entire career? Are police officers now Wild West cowboys, who recklessly take the lives of law-biding citizens just walking down the street? I think not. Each story shows the person resisted, took aggressive action against the officer, or presented some sort of weapon (simulated or not). Our legal system is working just fine.

The problem lies with lack of respect, parental guidance, education, and concern for human life by these “bad individuals.” Our police who are sworn to serve and protect have the same rights, and it includes their own safety. The answer is not to change laws; it’s to enforce the ones we have. You challenge or threaten an officer in the line of duty and you will lose. Teach your children. Don’t exhibit questionable behavior. Don’t challenge. Don’t carry any weapons. Don’t put the officer in a position where he has no other choice.

Craig Callow, Mineral Ridge

Let public school children sing Christmas carols in a church

I am really upset over the let- ter from the woman in Canfield that appeared in the Sunday, Dec. 14, paper complaining about children from public school singing in a church. What better place to sing Christmas carols being that we are all God’s children? This lady has a problem.

That’s the trouble with this world. We have people like that woman from Canfield who tries to take the joy out of the Christmas season.

As we look forward to Dec. 25 to celebrate the birth of Jesus, I think she needs a lesson about our Christmas symbols. These are three I chose from a magazine I received:

Evergreens signify God’s immortality and everlasting life. The wreath’s circular shape reminds us of the circles of life, family and love.

The Christmas tree — because it stays green all through the year, the evergreen tree is symbolic of the eternal life offered to Christians through faith in Christ. The treetop points heavenward. A star signifies the special star that guided the wise men to Bethlehem. Lights represent Christ, the light of the world. Gifts beneath the tree are representative of God’s gift of his only begotten Son, who brings hope, love, joy and peace.

St. Nicholas or Santa Claus — the concept of the American Santa Claus originated with St. NIcholas, who was born in Asia Minor in the second half of the 3rd century. He was known as a kind, benevolent man.

Dutch immigrants to the United States brought “Sinter Klaas.” Americans, unaccustomed to the Dutch pronunciation, turned this into Santa Claus, who is a beloved symbol of Christmas for all children of all ages.

Now I say to one and all may your days be merry and bright. Merry Christmas.

Alice Dyce, Youngstown

Hope Classic was a huge success

On Dec. 13, the Hope Founda- tion of the Mahoning Valley held its third annual charity event, the Hope Classic: High School Basketball Showcase presented by Steven A. Jones Agency (a State Farm company) at the Struthers Fieldhouse. The Hope Classic invited both boy’s and girl’s scholastic teams from the area and beyond to compete in a one-day event with teams that they wouldn’t ordinarily face over the course of a season. The H.F.M.V. is a volunteer organization that assists in raising funds for chronically/terminally ill children while our basketball game was just one way of expanding into one of the best sports arenas; high school basketball.

Our event was well attended by college coaches, high school athletes, and close to 100 volunteers and participants. On behalf of the organization, I just wanted to say thank-you to all individuals, including the athletic departments of the participating schools, the board of trustees, partners, volunteers. the city of Struthers, the Struthers School District and WYTV/MyYTV for all of their help.

Proceeds from the game are earmarked to assist the chronically/terminally ill children. It is our hope to return next year with an even better pairing of boy’s and girl’s games.

Anthony Spano, Founder/Executive Director, Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley