Good News!

http://www.dailynews.com/ci_14291858

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They did their best

I understand the concept of not spending tax dollars on saving a dog, as Rebecca Howard espouses ("Dog's water rescue," Letters, Jan 27). There is one problem, she misses the point of life: Do the best you can where you can when you can.

The rescue team was not in Haiti. They were on a bridge in the rain. You know what, they did their best. Please save the obtuse arguments and let these people revel in a job well done.

- JEFF BORNSTEIN

Canoga Park

Tax money well spent

Re "Dog's water rescue," (Letters, Jan 27):

This rescue of a dog in the L.A. River during the storm by the Fire Department should be viewed as a humane training exercise in river rescue.

This time it was a scared, live animal. Next time it could be a scared, live child. Swift water training is done all the time, often using dummy mannequins. Any volunteers? It was tax money very well spent, no one else suffered any loss of service. Animals deserve care, rescue and love also - whether it is a horse trapped in a hole, a kitten in a drain pipe or a dog in a river. Tax money is wasted in a lot of other places but not in this case. Wake up and be thankful that the next time you call for help, it will be there, for you and your animals.

- KEVIN ELIASON

Santa Clarita

Bravo from the Netherlands

I read the Dutch newspaper de Telegraaf every day online. One of the headlines in the international section on Jan. 27 read: "Super Rescue Effort in Los Angeles for Dog."

I counted more than 90 Dutch readers' reactions. I will quote just a few:

1. "BRAVO, BRAVO, for this fireman."

2. "Despite the many negative feelings in Europe about America, in the U.S. an animal is just as important as a human being. I can't say that for the rest of the world. I take my hat off for these people!!"

3. "Why would the life of an animal be less valuable than that of a human being? There are people I would have never done this for."

If this wonderful rescue made headlines in a small country like the Netherlands, it must now be known all over the world. I, too, say bravo to fireman St. Georges and Capt. Ruda and everyone else involved.

- RIA VAN DAALEN WETTERS

Burbank

http://www.dailynews.com/opinions/ci_14291263


I read some of the stupidest letters from people who were outraged about the dog's rescue.

These people have no problem propping up an -------- mayor, paying out hundreds of thousands of dollars when the cops go crazy on the streets or subsidizing wasteful city programs, yet a few grand to save a dog will bankrupt the city.

Please. Morons.