Get a dog to 'drop it' by lifting his hind legs
I am prompted to write because of a news story about a pit bull attacking a small dog on Maui (
Star-Bulletin, May 3). I was told recently by a friend, with great authority, that you can quickly force a dog to unclench a jaw-hold by going in back of the dog and lifting both rear legs off the ground. Apparently they have no choice but to let go of whatever they have gripped in their jaws. My daughter tried it recently when her large dog did not want to relinquish a pillow he had grabbed onto — as soon as she lifted his legs up, he dropped the pillow.
In any case, it seems safer and easier than trying to manually pry the dog's jaws apart. A handy hint that could save a life.
Christl Coleman
Honolulu
It's not a bad dog, it's a bad owner
I brought Oreo, my pit bull mix, to the Kauai Humane Society Park. This guy comes with two dogs, a lab and a pit bull mix. They attack Oreo. The lab let go but the pit bull locked on. For a few minutes Oreo didn't do anything. I tried kicking the other dog in his throat. Finally, Oreo defended himself and the dog let go.
I brought him to get cleaned up, and a guy in the parking lot yells to me, "See, that's why those kinds of dogs should be put down!" I snapped. Oreo was the victim and didn't do anything to provoke the other dogs.
Oreo is wonderful with both humans and dogs. Those who meet him will agree that he is a true "gentle giant." I try to use him to show that real pit bulls are NOT monsters.
Sadly, no matter how many good pit bulls there are, the world will only look at the few bad ones. The truth is that it's never the dog, but the owner! Unfortunately, those dogs had an irresponsible owner.
Sunny Sadaoka
Lihue, Kauai
TheBoat is a smooth, comfortable commute
Everyone knows TheBus, but have you discovered TheBoat?
Last week I took an early evening (3:55 p.m. Aloha Tower departure) cruise. Cost $4 per person — round trip! Panoramic coastal views provided ever-changing entertainment. The friendly crew was professional. Accommodations: padded seats inside upstairs, roomy tables in main cabin, clean restrooms and a snack bar that sells coffee, soda and breakfast/snack goodies.
Joe, a "regular" on TheBoat, told me a monthly bus pass ($40) includes transfers to TheBoat. He works in Honolulu, lives Kapolei and saves $1,000 a month between city parking and gas, and he doesn't miss sitting in heavy commuter traffic two hours a day. He said rough seas really aren't a big deal (due to the twin-hull boat style?). He has taken TheBus home on rare occasions.
I expected any alternative transportation to be crowded. It was not. This pilot commuter program was to cease this fall but has been extended six months. Lucky us. Check it out online: www.trytheboat.com.
On returning to Aloha Tower, I thought, if TheBoat doesn't draw capacity ridership, how many commuters will give up a car to ride steel rail?
Marie Larson
Kailua
Meeting in Israel will be good for Hawaii
Our state has been chosen from all the others to participate in the historical conference "Facing Tomorrow," which will include some of the most influential world leaders of our time ("Lingle to attend Israeli event," "
Newswatch," Star-Bulletin, May 4).
Facing Tomorrow is about planning for the world's future. Key points will address areas such as communication, technology, business, international relations and economic solvency.
We are at a crucial point, needing to develop new industries to become more self-sufficient and eco-friendly. It is wonderful to be included in cutting-edge discussions that can only help us to grow as a state and community. None of our tax dollars are being spent on this event, as Gov. Linda Lingle's participation is fully sponsored by the hosts.
I feel honored that our governor and our state have been recognized. The knowledge gained from participating in such an event can benefit Hawaii in so many ways. Israel is after all a world leader in technology, agriculture and medical advancements. We have so much to learn from each other as well as from the many other nations that are involved, such as Togo, Croatia, Poland, Russia and the United Kingdom, to name a few.
Rabbi David Glickman
Jewish Congregation of Maui
Kihei
We have important problems here at home
Why in the world is our governor going to Israel to solve all their problems? Don't we have enough problems here in Hawaii? After all, didn't our football team get smoked in the Sugar Bowl this year, our men's basketball team lost all their big front-line guys early in the year and the men's volleyball team didn't even make it into the playoffs.
Stay home, Governor, we have so much to do here in Hawaii.
Royle Kaneshige
Honolulu