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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, March 17, 2004
This was the week that I was going to address several criti-
cal social issues, such as how to explain bald-headed men with
ponytails; and why no one has invented an artificial appendix.
Also, why do some parents allow their young children to dress
like gang members, or so-called rap “artists,” who use vulgar
language and urge inappropriate or illegal activities in their
“work.”
But no. After an experience last week, it became clear that
what follows had to be the topic. The thought would not get out
of my head; so I finally gave in. Here’s the story:
Our friends Richard and Sharon moved to Illinois Valley
about 11 years ago. With them they brought their “sweetheart”
105-pound Akita, “Max.” This shaggy, loving beast had become
“theirs” back in El Cajon, Calif. in San Diego County, when he
was approximately 9 weeks old.
He was among a litter of nine, and would have cost $500. I
say would have. The owner, a friend of Richard and Sharon,
changed his mind after he left “Max” alone with one of his sib-
lings and the multitudinous mom. They got into the man’s house
and, as Sharon put it, “trashed the place.” So he phoned them
and said, “If you take the dog, I’ll give you a bag of food, a col-
lar and a leash.” He knew that Sharon had hit it off with the pup,
and that probably made it a bit easier for him.
You might not know that the Akita breed is known for its
guard dog/watch dog capabilities. The critters are independently
minded and aggressive. And they’re highly protective of their
owners. Sharon recalls that “Max” would take a stance if some-
one with a cane approached her, probably out of concern that the
person would hit his “mom” with what looked like a stick to
him. He also became upset on one occasion when a woman was
taking a photo of Richard and Sharon, apparently because the
camera looked a bit suspicious.
She also remembers the case of the destroyed miniblinds, a
telephone or two, and some remote controls. “Max” was an ac-
tive boy. Nonetheless, he was well-loved; part of the family he
favored.
Upon relocating to Illinois Valley, our friends took their
heavy-duty buddy to veterinarian “Dr. Joe” with the warning,
“Be careful. He bites vets.” But he didn’t bite Dr. Joe, which was
a first. They hit it off immediately. So for the past 11 years, Dr.
Joe was the dog’s vet, and the beast liked him a lot.
Last week, “Max” began showing his age more than usual.
Sharon felt it might be a possibility that he was nearing a turning
point. For three days in a row she took him for extended walks
around the neighborhood. Of course, they were extended par-
tially because it was more difficult for the big pup to get around
than when he was younger. But he enjoyed himself immensely
and looked forward to each time.
One day last week “Max” suffered a stroke and was pretty
much out of it. Then his functions began to shut down. He could-
n’t stand; didn’t want to stand because it hurt. He had problems
with the canine “lifting-the-leg” scene. He had some “accidents”
and was embarrassed. He would eat steak, but not dog food. He
looked sorta’ miserable, and at one point gave Sharon a look that
said, “This sucks.”
He didn’t improve the next day, although he was not un-
aware of his surroundings, as Richard and Sharon watched him
closely. Although he was not unaware, it became painfully obvi-
ous that his time here was about concluded. Besides Sharon’s
premonition, “Rufus” the cat came to “Max” and cleaned his
face for him, with that insight that animals have for each other.
“Max’s” human buds made a tough decision. In the best
interests of their 15-year friend, they reluctantly decided to have
him put down. We were honored to be asked to accompany them
to Dr. Joe’s. He came out, and agreed that it was time.
Richard and Sharon had been speaking gently and affection-
ately to “Max,” lying on his favorite pillow (quite a large one) in
the rear of their pickup truck. Their “great dog,” looked quite
comfortable with the scene. His breathing was labored, but he
was unafraid and tried to smile when he saw Dr. Joe.
Richard gently held the underside of “Max’s” head and mas-
saged his jowls and ears. Sharon lay next to her puppy and
hugged him around the neck. Dr. Joe made the injection, used his
stethoscope, and quickly turned away. The last words “Max”
heard as he passed on were from Sharon, saying, “I love you,
Max.” And he was gone, as was his pain.
We all had watery eyes, and our friends mourned the pass-
ing for several days.
On that day though, in the rear of the pickup truck, still hug-
ging the peaceful “Max,” Sharon asked, “Where do you think he
is?” wiping away tears.
And without hesitation, I replied, “In Heaven, of course.”
Where else?
Illinois Valley News
An Independent Weekly Newspaper Co-owned and
published by Robert R. (Bob) and Jan Rodriguez
Bob Rodriguez, Editor El Jefe
Entered as second class matter June 11, 1937 at Post
Office as Official Newspaper for Josephine County and
Josephine County Three Rivers School District, published
at 321 S. Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523
Periodicals postage paid at Cave Junction, OR 97523
Post Office Box 1370 USPS 258-820
Telephone (541) 592-2541, FAX (541) 592-4330
Volume 66, No. 52
Staff: Cindy Newton, Chris Robertson,
Michelle Binker, Shane Welsh,
Becky Loudon & Kacy Clement
Member: Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
DEADLINES:
News, Classified & Display Ads,
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(Classified ads & uncomplicated display ads can be
accepted until Noon, Monday with an additional charge.)
POLICY ON LETTERS: ‘Illinois Valley News’ welcomes letters to
the editor provided they are of general interest, in good taste,
legible and not libelous. All letters must be signed, using
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verify authenticity. The ‘News’ reserves the right to edit letters.
One letter per person per month. Letters are used at the discretion
of the publisher. Unpublished letters are neither acknowledged
nor returned. A prepaid charge may be levied if a letter is
inordinately long in the editor's opinion.
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submitted each week if the item is to run for more than one week.
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One year in Josephine County - $20.80
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One year in all other Oregon counties
and out-of-state - $28
POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to
P.O. Box 1370, Cave Junction, OR. 97523
(Editor’s Note: Views
and commentary ex-
pressed in letters to the
editor are strictly those
of the letter-writers.
* * *
Typed,
double-
spaced letters are ac-
ceptable for considera-
tion. Hand-written letters
that are double-spaced
and highly legible also
can be considered for
publication.
Cards of thanks are
not accepted as letters.)
* * *
‘Good morning, Oregon’
From John Bazen
Cave Junction
Wake up to where the
“Progressive Liberals”
have already taken us.
Via current laws it’s
legal to:
*Allow MDs to mur-
der any unborn child any
“Mom-to-be” chooses.
* Al lo w MDs t o
“assist” in the murder of
any terminally ill person,
who so chooses.
*Allow the personal
growing and use of mind
altering drugs, namely
“grass.”
*Now a push to allow
the legal “marriage” be-
tween same sex “couples.”
Where, people of Ore-
gon, will this progression
stop?
Canada, a very
“Progressive Nation,” rich
in natural resources, yet its
largest cash crop is not
lumber, nor oil, but
“grass.” With grass and
meth, these are also some
of our largest cash cows.
Is it not sad, the
“enviro” groups absolutely
have no problem about
“Societal Pollution,” just
don’t cut down a tree, nor
dig a hole. Well, after all
this Earth is overpopu-
lated, right?
So, can Oregon, top
California? Let us pass
laws to allow bestiality, so
those who just realized,
“they were just born this
way,” can legally marry
their sheep or?
If this is a question of
“civil
rights,” or
“discrimination under the
law,” I ask, “Do we, or do
we not, each of us have the
mind, with which we each
make a conscious choice
as to what we each do, and
with whom we each do
anything?”
I think yes, we each
do. Thus it’s a self-made
choice, exactly on the
same level as those who
make choices to rape, to
rob, to murder or molest,
to do these acts.
Now another question:
When will these people
claim the proven-wrong
notion of “Born this way,
we also want our full
rights?”
Tree planting volunteers
From Leeandra DiFuria
Cave Junction
I would like to express
my appreciation for all the
good volunteers who came
to the IBIG Forestry Ac-
tion Committee 12th an-
nual Volunteer Tree Plant-
ing Day.
We planted trees; we
shared a meal; we met new
friends. This is my first
year as FAC Tree Planting
and Weed coordinator, and
I am again amazed at the
hardworking land owners,
volunteers and youth who
participated on Volunteer
Tree Planting Day.
I also appreciate the
individuals and businesses
that donated a variety of
wonderful dishes. The tree
planters find this most wel-
come back from their hard
work. I also appreciate I.V.
Soil and Water District for
faithfully providing the
funds for the 25-cent per
tree youth group incentive.
The people of Illinois
Valley are generous and
those who made contribu-
tions made a difference.
Volunteer Day had in
attendance more than 200
folks, getting together for a
common purpose, to plant
trees in Illinois Valley ri-
parian areas.
Tree-planting is hard
work; and year after year
folks show up rain or
shine. This year 4,500 to
5,000 trees were planted in
Illinois Valley.
It was a job well done.
I hope everyone can join
us again next year.
Library funding
REGIONAL SCIENCE FAIR WINNERS - Desiree Miatke
(left) and Geneva Vasquez, fifth-grade Evergreen Ele-
mentary students, placed first in the Junior Category
(out of 20 entries) at the Regional Science Fair in Coos
Bay. Their experiment demonstrated mechanical ad-
vantages using various levers to lift varying weights,
and which methods use the least amount of force.
(Photo by Shane Welsh)
From Andrea King-
Brockman
Selma
Libraries are full of
fun, like books of jokes
and, “How to Write a
Screenplay.”
Libraries are full of
facts and suggestions for
working through projects,
like constructing a French
drain or hand-weaving a
friendship bracelet or how
to write a screenplay.
Libraries are full of
details and forms to guide
us through bureaucratic
mazes, like creating a liv-
ing will or rezoning prop-
erty or how to copyright a
screenplay.
Libraries are full of
adventure, like books on
spelunking in Mauritania
and, “How to Write a
Screenplay.”
Libraries are full of
puzzles, like, “Where’s
Waldo?” and, full of his-
tory, like the formation of
our Bill of Rights and what
the Supreme Court has
said about censorship of
screenplays.
(Continued on page 3)
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Build on your lot — $104,000
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square feet, turnkey – some restrictions.
488 Addison, Cave Junction. 1533 sq. ft.,
3 bedroom, 2 bath