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I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated Bruce Bellingham’s “The Final Word” in the March issue. I enjoyed his other articles, too – I just love his style and attitude! When I was a courier in the ’80s, I loved telling the Golden Gate Bridge toll booth collector, as I handed her an extra bill, “I’d like to pay for the next driver.” What a superb tingling sensation occurred in my soul – the whole world was right and good and perfect for that one moment – even more so than when I was the recipient of such an act of random kindness, which is why I started doing it in the first place.

That is one more reason I do not like this Muni Clipper Pass: there’s no way to give someone your three-day grace period like there was with the paper Fast Pass.

I am saddened and sickened by these changes and will continue to find ways to be a cog in the wheel of metropolis and promote the launching of arks whenever I can. It’s heartening to know that there are others who feel the same way.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful spirit, Bruce!
                                                                                Lorraine Grassano, Pacific Heights
 

I just read Chapter 38 of “Jasmine Blue’s Tails of the Dog Park” [March 2011]. You are in great hands with Dr. Kent.

I first met him in the late ’90s when Duke, my 7-year-old golden retriever, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and given an estimated three to five months to live. It was clear to me from the start that Dr. Kent was a special kind of doctor.

Duke made history at Davis. His osteosarcoma went into remission – something veterinary science back then thought was impossible – and it did not return for two years. Dr. Kent treated Duke with radiation and eventually chemotherapy over a several-month period, and he lived almost two more years after that. So three to five months turned into over four years, and it was four years of hiking, swimming, running, etc. No one would have ever known that Duke was a cancer patient. I am convinced it was part luck and a big part Dr. Kent.

It was lifestyle changing to spend so much time in Davis, but I believe well worth it. I continue to make yearly charitable contributions to the small animal clinic at Davis in honor of Dr. Kent’s commitment to his patients and profession. Give him my regards, please. He might remember my golden retriever, Duke – the miracle dog.

                                                                                                                David B. Roseman, Marina


Your “Publisher’s Note” [March 2011] on the good ole boys’ network down at City Hall and what’s going on with Stow Lake was the first thing I’ve read about the situation that got it right. Thank you for another hard-hitting piece and for speaking your mind on tough issues where other writers will not go. My husband says you are the Mohammed Ali of the Northside – your words float like a butterfly, and they definitely sting like a bee. Keep up the good work.

 
                                                                                                               K.Neustadt, Sea Cliff
 

A few weeks ago, I did a web search on Pali Boucher from Rocket Dog Rescue after Animal Planet reran their special on her. In the course of the search, I came across Chapter 22 of the lovely column, “Jasmine Blue’s Tails of the Dog Park.” Over the last few weeks, I have smiled and laughed at Jazzy’s antics and enjoyed sharing them with my daughter Josie while working my way through the column archives.

I was devastated to read about the aggressive nature of Jazzy’s cancer, and terribly relieved to hear that Dr. “Superman” was so casually talking about seeing her at a two-year follow-up appointment. 

Wishing you, and especially Jasmine, all possible health and joy through this ordeal.  I’m praying that I will be reading about Jazzy’s adventures for a long time to come.


                                   Cassandra McTaggart & Josephine Whitchurch; Canberra, Australia

 

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