Thankful for the ‘Marks’ among us

To the editor:
    Last week, a relative of mine had a dog that suddenly became quite ill. He took his dog to a local vet to have the dog examined. He didn’t have any money to pay down toward the unexpected visit and did not have an account established with the vet, as he had only had the dog a little more than a month. He wanted to establish an account and pay on it next month when his monthly check came, but they still needed some money down. Knowing that his dog was very sick and he didn’t have any money to give them, he didn’t know what he was going to do.
    Another citizen who was there had obviously overheard this conversation and followed my relative outside. He only identified himself as “Mark” and told my family member that he had put $40 down on an account so he could have his dog examined, realizing that the dog was very ill. My relative tried to get his last name and contact information so he could pay him back when his monthly check came, but this kindhearted man told him he didn’t want the money paid back.
    We have no idea who you are “Mark,” but we are so grateful to you for your act of kindness. All people hear are the negative comments about people’s actions, but this proves there are still caring and compassionate people out there. Thank you a million times over!!
    And now, on another note …
    Unfortunately, the outcome for my relative’s dog was not good. The dog, we believe, had gotten into a potato field just behind the home where she lived and had come in contact with the potato spray that had been recently put on the potatoes. We feel this spray poisoned her. Over a period of 24 to 72 hours after this contact, she had started to vomit, she began to stagger when she walked and it caused her to become blind. The vet also felt she had significant liver damage. The end result was that the dog had to be euthanized.
    So, please, all pet owners, keep your pets on your property and away from all crops/fields. And, if they are spraying fields near your property, please be aware of this potential danger to your pets.
Susan Cullen
Patten