A special place in hell

Ms. Sablich's letter to the editor (June 15) caused me to begin sobbing uncontrollably (even through men aren't supposed to cry). It told of an imaginary horse that had just delivered a foal under horrible circumstances here in Pahrump. It was the most moving story I've ever read.

My neighbor has two horses and a donkey in an area not much bigger than my bedroom. They just stand there all day in the blistering sun. No Shade. No protection at all. Even in the winter, when it gets so cold that it freezes pipes, they just stand there 24/7.

I try to tell myself that God has provided them with a special ability not to get hot or cold or suffer from the flies that are crawling in and out of their eyes. In my heart, I know better.

Across the street is a dog that is confined to a three-foot chain and is out in the open 24 hours a day. It yaps at me anytime I open the front door and looks at me as if to say, "Please, can you help me? I'm miserable. It's 110 degrees outside and my water is too hot to drink. Also, if you would pet me for five minutes, I would be in heaven for the rest of the day."

In the winter, the dog looks at me as if to say, "Please help me. It's 19 degrees out here and I'm freezing to death. Would you please ask my master to build me some kind of doghouse? It doesn't have to be fancy. Just anything to keep the bone-numbing wind from casing me to shiver."

Here is "A Dog's Prayer" by Beth Norman Harris:

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I shall lick your hand between the blows, you patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do. Speak to me often, for your voice is the world's sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my God and I am your devoted worshipper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, although I would not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather, hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful noon of eternal rest and I will leave you knowing, with the last breath that I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

I hope that there is special place in hell for anyone who mistreats their animals.

RONALD WALKER

Glory to the 'linemen'

They kept their word. After our meeting May 31, NDOT had promised to repaint the lines on Highways 160 and 372 in our town.

When I checked later, I was told that it would begin Monday, June 25. That day we all saw yellow on the roads.

Thank you, Joe Martinez, assistant district engineer, and Tood Marty, highway maintenance supervisor, for the Las Vegas Highway Maintenance Office. These are men of their word.

They probably don't want to know, but my next project is getting crosswalks painted in areas where we need to cross the highways without driving a car. Mainly, the areas of Saddle West-Best Western, Wal-Mart, and the intersection of Highway 372 and Pahrump Valley Boulevard.

People that keep their word are very special and I found two of them. I guess it pays to take action. I found that telephone calls do not do the job.

MAUREEN SHERWOOD

Thanks to Goedhart

We would like to take this opportunity the thank Assembleymen Goicoechea, Grady, Carpenter, Marvel, Goedhart, Settelmeyer and Senators Rhoads, Amodei and McGinness for their unwavering support of AB144.

This bill establishes a formula for determining the maximum rate for interruptible service that a public utility may charge for electricity for irrigation pumps

Those of us who buy our power from Sierra Pacific are paying close to twice as much as other farmers and ranchers who have different power suppliers.

When AB144 goes into effect Oct. 1 it will help us tremendously.

Thanks again to all those involved with the passage of AB144.

JOE AND NANCY SICKING

MARTIN CREEK RANCH

PARADISE VALLEY, NEVADA