The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

To The Eagle:

The sun is out and the days are getting longer, and I’d like to walk in my neighborhood. But, I’m afraid! Not of gangs or such as in big cities, but of animals.

You see, a couple of months ago on a rare sunny winter day, my husband took our dog for a walk. She was on her leash. Not 10 minutes into the walk a large dog, three times her size and weight, came out from behind bushes, a scuffle ensued, and subsequently Kodees was bitten in the eye and the retina detached. After many trips into Longview to the vet, medications, testing and more testing, the end result is her loss of eyesight in that eye.

She will adapt and I will try to adjust to her new personality, and I will try to approach her on the good eye side so I don’t continue to spook her. In my opinion this was an avoidable event and not fair to my dog to be attacked when she was on her leash while the other dog roamed the neighborhood at will. The expense was almost $700, money that could have stayed locally for St. James, or a school sport scholarship, or the fair, or any number of worthy non-profits in our community. We try to give generously of our time and money, but this year we’ll be adjusting donations due to the unnecessary vet expense.

If you’ve been on Columbia Street you’ve no doubt seen Kodees out the attic window (a white dog) and she may have barked at you. I hope she hasn’t startled you. But, from inside she cannot harm you.

My request to you if you have a dog or pet that isn’t contained or under control, please contain them. Do this not because it might be the legal thing to do -- do it because it’s the right thing to do. Thank you.

Jan Dees

Cathlamet