I liked the Aug. 15 front-page photo of Buddy the dog and his owner.
Buddy and Fran were sitting on a bench in Shelburne Falls, and that’s where a dog should be on a hot summer day: outside with his/her owner, not trapped in a sweltering car with the windows up. If you’re going grocery shopping or go to a restaurant to stuff your face in air-conditioned comfort, leave your dog home with water and food. All pets deserve to be treated with kindness. They’re family and, unfortunately, are only with us for a short time.
In his Aug. 7, 2025 My Turn (“It’s (still) not about you: It’s about your dog!“), Barry L. Adams writes, “I encourage people to never walk away from a dog left unattended in a vehicle. Not only is leaving your dog in a car unsafe and potentially life-threatening, but it is also illegal in 31 states, including Massachusetts. If you see a dog unattended in a vehicle, try to locate the car owner and/or call 911. If you believe the animal is in immediate distress and may suffer harm or death, you are protected should you save the animal’s life. Know the law as written in M.G.L.A. 140, Section 174F.”
I hope Buddy and Fran and Barry L. Adams are having a good day.
Tim Grant
Bernardston