LETTERS
SEND YOUR VIEWS AND LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: DON@NANTUCKETINDEPENDENT.COM
TICK QUESTIONS

To the editor:

I read with interest the article in the Dec. 5 Nantucket Independent - "Ticks, Lyme disease still major concern" by Mary Lancaster.

I found several statements in this article that cause me to question the credibility of Dr. Telford. Dr. Telford is quoted as saying, "The bacteria that causes Lyme disease cannot live in temperatures above 70 to 80 degrees." If this were true, then humans would have nothing to worry about regarding Lyme disease, as the human body consistently maintains a temperature above 96 degrees. This is considerably higher than 80 degrees, which is the top temperature of survival as stated by Dr. Telford.

Dr. Telford also states that "explaining that ticks require 90 percent or greater humidity to survive and reproduce." This is also not necessary for tick survival. I have recently completed a risk assessment for tick bites in the County of San Bernardino, Calif. As part of this risk assessment, I read a study by Dr. Lane (et al, 1999) who documented a six percent tick bite rate in Imperial County, Calif. What is interesting is that Imperial County is one of the driest counties in California. If the land is not irrigated, all vegetation would likely die. The humidity rate is very low, yet a map showing where Ixodes Pacificus ticks are found includes Imperial County (2007).

- Anne Mears, BSN, RN, MSN Candidate

The following letters were sent to Independent Writer Peter B. Brace, in response to last week's front page story entitled: "Hangin' with Jake becomes a futile effort," in which he shares his experiences as a new dog owner.

DOGS DESERVE BETTER

To Mr. Brace:

Thanks for your heartwarming piece about your new dog. As a representative for Dogs Deserve Better, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to ending the suffering endured by dogs that are kept chained or penned for their lives, I want to thank you also for mentioning that chaining a dog outside, in all sorts of weather, is no way to treat "man's best friend." Because it "has always been done," people too often don't realize the abuse inherent in chaining a dog for its life. Many people who keep dogs this way think they're treating Fido just peachy. We always appreciate gentle reminders, such as yours, that perpetual chaining is a horrific way to treat a dog.

To learn more about our organization - or perhaps for future column ideas - please visit www.dogsdeservebetter. org

Monica Schreiber

Belmont, California

HE'LL COME AROUND

To Mr. Brace:

You can't possibly be thinking of getting rid of Jake! You said yourself that you understood getting a dog was a big responsibility. You said yourself that 'dogs are people too.'Well you wouldn't give back a child after it was born would you? Now I understand how you feel. I've had dogs my whole life...strays, pure-breds...you name it, I've had it. I currently have three. They were all, at one point, hyper, furniture chewing, peeing on the floor puppies. One still is. We call her our Jack-huahua. She was sold to us as a pure bred, but looks completely like a Jack Russell. She also has the temperment of a Jack Russell.

Full of energy, barks like crazy, etc. Well, you know. Anyway, I want you to know she's getting better. The trauma of her earlier life is starting to fade and she is starting to mellow. That's not to say she doesn't still get at the furniture or bite or pee on the floor. It's just less and less frequently. She also sleeps a lot more. Thank God!

Anyway, I am convinced that the structure of a routine has contributed to this. We also work all day. We keep her confined to one part of the house and I go home for lunch every day. We are at the point that I don't even have to give her much attention at lunch. She greets me when I come in and then goes back to her bed. Please keep the faith.

Try to stick it out. With the love and attention you are willing to give to Jake, I know he will come around.

- Erikka P. OUR GRATEFUL THANKS

To the editor:

The families of Rachel Parrotto Budzynski would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the Nantucket Community for its incredible love and support during Rachel's nine-month battle against cancer. Her qualities as a daughter, sister, wife, mother and healer have left a mark on all who knew and loved her. She is truly missed.

To the fundraisers and all those who supported the "Raise It Up For Rachel" campaign, we thank you. To her friends and acupuncture patients, The Marla Lamb Fund, Hospice Care, Marine Home's med flights, and the incredible Nantucket Cottage Hospital staff who made her and us so comfortable - thank you. Unending thanks go to the friends and Lighthouse School parents who generously fed us weekly, and to Lizie of Lizie's House who made sure Rachel's daughter, Isabella, was loved and hugged daily. What can we say to Dr. Craig Bradley? "You are the best;" and to his wife, Zoe, who visited Rachel and brought humor and laughter to their new friendship even in the worst of times. Thanks to the White Elephant for their generosity of accommodations and hosting the post-funeral reception; and to other guest houses on the island who offered to or housed off-island family and friends.

Finally to Father William Eddy and the staff at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, we extend our deepest appreciation for embracing and holding us together as we planned our celebration of Rachel's life. With the Christmas season upon us, we offer a wish and prayer for this "village" that God may continue to bless you all.

Again, thank you.

- The Parrotto and Budzynski Families