A Dog’s Plea
Florence Roxborough
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for your kindness than mine. Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I might lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.
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 the sound of your footsteps fall upon my waiting ear.
Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to the bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for 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.
My friend, when I am very old and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing, and sight, do no make efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun.
Please see to it that my life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your loving hands.
Editor’s note: Florence passed away on Nov 2. We never had the opportunity to meet her. She sent in her contributions by mail in her own handwriting and always put in a word to us. We will miss her. She was dearly loved.
North Kawartha Public Library
& Lifetime Learning Centre
Katie Jackson& Lifetime Learning Centre
Season’s Greetings from the North Kawartha Public Library and Lifelong Learning Centre…The North Kawartha Lifelong Learning Centre is very pleased to announce that they have received a three-year grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation! We are extremely grateful to this organization and to the Ontario Government as this money enables us to maintain and enhance our service to the community. We are once again proud to present the “Strings in the Snow” holiday concert performed by “Spectrum” String Quartet from the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, Sun. Dec. 14th, 7:00 pm, at the Trinity United Church. Are you thinking of buying a computer? Attend the seminar “How to Buy a Computer” and make an informed purchase! Sat., Dec. 5th, 2:00-4:00 pm, Apsley Library, $10.00, please register in advance. Learn to use your computer—sign up now for a beginner or intermediate computer class starting early in 2004. One-on-one tutorials are always available, $10.00/hour, or come in and make use of our high speed Internet service, desktop programs, and educational children’s computer games. Our monthly lecture series continues on Thurs. Jan. 15th with a presentation on Breast Cancer from the Peterborough Breast Cancer Support Group, 7:00 pm, Apsley Library. Everyone welcome, a donation to the Support Group will be accepted. Our International Film nights continue Thurs. Dec. 11 with the French film Amelie and Thurs. Jan 8th (film TBA), 7:00 pm in the Library. The Community Skills Inventory Project is underway in North Kawartha! This project, funded by HRDC and the Rural Secretariat will ultimately bring people and employment opportunities together. You can help—a survey will be circulating the in the New Year and your cooperation will be vital to the success of the project! Holiday Hours: the Library and Learning Centre will be open on Tues. Dec. 23 until 4:00 pm, then will reopen Tues. Dec. 30th at 10:00 am. Please call 656-4333, email library@northkawartha.on.ca or check out our website www.geocities.com/nklibrarylearningcentre for more information. The staff, Library Board, Learning Centre committee and volunteers wish you the very best for the holidays!