Lucy of Seattle --- Her memory...Have you seen the El Camino?

This article is from the West Seattle Times about a golden retriever named Lucy who was fatally injured by a hit and run driver. We are searching for an El Camino as described in the article below.

 

Followup: Working for safer West Seattle streets in Lucy’s honor

March 18, 2011 at 2:45 pm | In Pets, Safety, West Seattle news | 19 Comments

One week ago, we published the sad story of the hit-run crash that killed Lucy, a 13-year-old Golden Retriever. First we heard from the witness who saw the whole thing, as Lucy and her owner were crossing California SW at Dakota. Then we heard directly from Matt, who was with Lucy when it happened, and almost got hit himself. While there is no word from police on any break in the case, those who told their stories have been working on the pedestrian-safety advocacy they hope might be Lucy’s legacy. We promised a followup. First, the witness e-mailed three City Council members, who, he says, got a fourth involved, which ultimately led him to Seattle City Light to make sure the street light on the southwest corner of that intersection is working. He was also pointed to SDOT to request better signage for the crosswalk.

The witness was also directly in touch with Matt (and wife Sarah), who say they have connected with SDOT’s community traffic liaison, Jim Curtin. They learned Jim, a West Seattleite, had heard about Lucy’s death via WSB, and they wrote:

Jim informed me that the wheels are turning at SDOT and they plan to do a full site visit and evaluation to determine the most appropriate options for making the California/Dakota intersection safer. He indicated that he will be back in touch with me within one to two weeks with recommendations and next steps. Additionally, we briefly discussed potential opportunities for funding if there isn’t a budget for the recommended improvements. Some alternative sources of funds could include the SDOT Neighborhood Street Fund and/or the DON Neighborhood Matching Fund in conjunction with community funding (via fundraiser).

Also, we’ve received a more detailed description of the vehicle involved in the hit-run incident from the Seattle Police Department. The vehicle is a customized dark colored El Camino with possibly aftermarket grill and rims and tinted windows. It would be great if we could ask the community to keep a look out for this vehicle and, if seen, inform the Police. The SW Precinct police officers involved have been incredibly responsive and helpful.

… Please let the community know how much we appreciate all their kind words and thoughts for our family during this difficult time and how fortunate we feel to live in such a wonderful, close-knit community.

Doug and Cory Bond

My sister and her family recently lost their horse who was a big part of their world for more than 20 years. Very sad and it was thought that Kokanee was going to get better.  We pet owners cringe at the thought of losing one. Doug and Cory Bond deal with this regularly because the original pet owners did not have the integrity or means to stand by their pet.

These two retired police officers in Saanich British Columbia Canada take in abandoned, often ill older dogs to give them comfort and care during their remaining days. The vet bills are considerable, the sad days always near and the sense that they are making a difference always there.

As an aside one has to wonder how many of these dogs were abandoned because of inflated drug prices charged by unscrupulous veterinarians...refer CBC "Marketplace" episode.

Back to Doug and Cory - What can one say about people like this?
Read more at http://www.timescolonist.com/life/Couple+puts+hearts+souls+into+helping+sick+dogs/4080239/story.html

www.patbayreflective.com sends kudos to Doug and Cory...

Folks under 44 - The number one cause of death

I was reading a website today. The site is very much in tune with what we at Pat Bay Reflective are trying to do > Prevent Accidents. The site is www.preventable.ca and is full of great information. These folks take a proactive view of accidents prevention. Even though preventable accidents are the number one killer for people up to the age of 44 in the Canadian province of British Columbia the good news is that this is something that people can actually do something about. By practicing common sense and being fully cognizant of the 'what if' factor we can reduce these deaths and injuries.
The 'what if' factor is what operational managers refer to as contingency planning. > What if that technician cannot solve the problem? What are the options?
In terms of accident prevention I adopt this "what if"operating principal to reflect the need to plan to work, play and rest safely. What if a car cannot see me at this corner? What if the wood stove chimney leaks? What if I lose my dog at night? What if I drink and drive? What if I am not properly trained on a motorcycle or scooter? Dealing with these questions and resolving the issues will keep you and yours safe. Think "What if?"

Be Safe, Be Seen in 2011
www.patbayreflective.com

The Police and Helping our Elderly

The following is a great story about help; help provided by two policeman to an elderly gentleman in need. If the police authorities encouraged cops more in this area and the media publicized these good deeds to a greater extent we would be in a better place. Tragic stories of "bad shoots" such as the deaf man in Seattle and police corruption are important but let's remember that the average cop has integrity,courage and a sense of social responsibility clearly illustrated in this report from Victoria BC's Time-Colonist (who deserve kudos) ---

Police help 95-year-old loner, his pension cheques uncashed

 

 

By Lindsay Kines, Times Colonist December 18, 2010 

 

 

A pair of Victoria police officers played Good Samaritans to a 95-year-old man who was discovered living alone in an apartment without heat or lighting, despite having thousands of dollars in uncashed pension cheques.
Constables Jan Malinosky and Rebecca Pollock responded to a 911 call from a “confused elderly male” in the Hillside Shopping Centre area on Thursday afternoon. The officers found the man in good condition, but with no heat or lighting in his apartment.
The officers — Pollock is just three weeks out of training, while Malinosky has about 10 years on the job — checked with B.C. Hydro, and discovered the man was behind on his payments.
Yet a quick look around his apartment revealed that he had a number of uncashed pension cheques “in the area of thousands of dollars,” said Staff Sgt. Kerry Panton, who supervises the officers’ shift,
A Watch.
The officers got the man to write out a cheque to B.C. Hydro, deposited his pension money in the bank for him, paid his bill and arranged for a victims services worker to sit with him until an emergency crew restored the power.
The following night, the officers went back to check on the man, and took him some groceries.
“He was cosy,” Panton said.
Meanwhile, police alerted agencies to make sure someone checks on the man and determines if it is safe for him to be living alone, and to ensure he receives proper care.
Panton praised his officers’ compassionate and “outstanding” work on the file.
“It’s what we often do — the side that people don’t see,” he said.
Police hope to find the man’s family. But if they are unsuccessful, he will not be forgotten over the holiday, Panton said. “If he’s alone on Christmas night,
A Watch is working again, so we’ll make sure he’s got Christmas dinner.”

© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist

Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/Police+help+year+loner+pension+cheques+uncashed/3999658/story.html#ixzz18aCjF8fg

Budd Stewart
Pat Bay International Inc.
www.patbayreflective.com

Now hold on...

The rain was coming down in fifty gallon drums a few days ago. I saw a lady walking her dog accompanied somewhat reluctantly by who could only have been very good friend. The walker was out of breath, stumbling and bedraggled, the friend was shivering, her shoulders well rounded as the rain came down.

The closest house was at least two hundred yards distant, the traffic was steady and the spray off the tires added to the misery. The walker struggled to hold on to her dog and her sanity I expect. They surely realized that the ditch was becoming a small river as the rain came down.

There are moments that freeze in our memory and this will be one of mine. The two bedraggled walkers in the rain with the Labrador furiously wagging his tail nose to the ground oblivious to all except the fading scent as the rain came down.

Obesity in Pets - Out of Control

When Pat Bay was recognized for having one of the Top Ten Pet Fitness Products for 2010 for our 3M reflective leash and collar covers I had no idea what or who the APOP (Association for Pet Obesity Prevention) was. The competition was run internal to the APOP so the product providers had no idea their products were being reviewed and considered.

The APOP has an important message to pass on. If you want your pet to live as long as possible then keep them fit. It appears that we are not doing a very good job as the following figures from the 2009 APOP study will attest:

• An Estimated 51.5% of Dogs and Cats in the United States are Overweight or Obese
  • An Estimated 89 million US Dogs and Cats are Overweight or Obese

• An Estimated 15% of US Dogs and Cats are Obese
  • An Estimated 26 million US Pets are Obese

• An Estimated 45% of US Dogs are Overweight or Obese (BCS 4-5)
• An Estimated 8.6% of US Dogs are Obese (BCS 5)
  • 35 million US Dogs are estimated to be Overweight or Obese
  • 6.7 million US Dogs are estimated to be Obese

• An Estimated 58% of US Cats are Overweight or Obese (BCS 4-5)
• An Estimated 21.4% of US Cats are Obese (BCS 5)
  • 54 million US Cats are estimated to be Overweight or Obese
  • 20 million US Cats are estimated to be Obese

  2009 US Pet Population (Source:  American Pet Products Manufacturers Association)
  Dogs	77.5 million
  Cats	93.6 million
  Total Dogs and Cats	171 million

• Approximately 62% of US households own at least one pet = 71.4 million homes

Did you realize a 12 pound Yorkie is the same as an average female weighing 218 pounds and a 14 pound cat is equivalent to a 237 pound man? Did you consider that a 90 pound female Labrador retriever is equal to a 186 pound 5’ 4” female or 217 pound 5’ 9” male or a fluffy feline that weighs 15 pounds is equal to a 218 pound 5’ 4” female or 254 pound 5’ 9” male? Source -APOP


So when you consider giving your dog or cat that extra cupcake or whatever it is think again. That is of course if you want to keep your pet around. They get many of the same diseases we get if we are obese or overweight. Have a look at the APOP website. Some interesting tools and information.

Have to run and take some food out of Jindo's dish!

Be Safe

The one absolutely unselfish...

friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog....When all friends desert, he remains." - George Graham Vest in a speech to the US Senate in 1884.