Have your say

Protecting a pet

Regarding Lindor Reynolds' Jan. 8 article, Owners fear for fate of 50 missing dogs, the only surefire way to protect you dog is to not let it out of your sight.

No matter where I have lived -- city, town, country -- I have never let my dog (or cat) outdoors without having my eye on her. I either accompany her outdoors, or actively watch from a nearby window. It is a reality, these days, that you cannot assume that things will be all right with your child or your pet because you have taught them well.

There are nefarious individuals and groups who will take advantage of our less-than-constant vigilance of those we love. It is obvious that those living on a rural property are not immune to such interference.

Do what you have to do to protect your animals. This may mean creating a fenced enclosure, having your pet tattooed and chipped and installing an invisible fence system. All of this may run contrary to the desired lifestyle of those living in the country. I'm sure, however, that those who have lost a pet under suspicious circumstances will tell you that they would be willing to do all that and more to have their loved one back with them.

LISA GOWER

Winnipeg

Teams to watch

Re: Heading in the right direction (Jan. 9). Wouldn't it be something if our universities could actually have basketball teams one would want to watch? At one time, back in the '70s -- a very long time ago, I know-- the University of Manitoba actually had national-championship-calibre teams, and made up of local players. Why is that no longer possible?

I was at the Wesmen Classic this year, as in years past, and it seems to me that each year the tournament, at the university level at least, is populated by teams one has never heard of and cares nothing about. Each year it becomes more and more difficult to find teams for the tournament that are worse than the Wesmen.

After all, they do want to have a slight possibility of winning, so good teams aren't invited. The calibre of play is bad and our universities do not appear to care to run good basketball programs, because if they did, one would think they would have done it.

DAVID WIEBE

Winnipeg

All of the Winnipeg media have been guilty of oversight, the Free Press among them.

In recent days we have had lots of news about the world junior men's tournament and about spoiled NHL millionaires reaching an agreement.

However, we have heard little of the U-18 Canadian girls who competed in the international competition in Finland. These girls are younger than the boys and are under no less pressure to represent their home country well.

Three of these girls are from Manitoba. They brought home the gold. Yet there is almost no mention of their accomplishment. Do you not think girls' sports are important?

DENNIS HERNTIER

LaRiviere

Difficult to understand

Re: Audit burns hunger-striking chief (Jan. 8). It is difficult to understand how funding by government to First Nations can be so mishandled.

The fact is that the Attawapiskat reserve has a population of about 1,550 people and Chief Theresa Spence receives a salary of $250,000. Compare this to Winnipeg, which has 700,000 residents, and whose mayor receives about $122,000 per year.

With about 600 reserves of various sizes across Canada, how many millions of dollars of taxpayers' money get wasted?

ISSIE OIRING

Winnipeg

Riel House will open

Question No. 27 of your Dec. 31 year-end quiz (Do you remember... 2012?) said: "The federal budget hits Riel House. What's happened?" The answer was "Budget cuts close the historic site."

In fact, Riel House National Historic Site is not closed. Parks Canada has committed to keeping the site and the house itself open and accessible to the public in July and August each year.

We are currently working collaboratively with community stakeholders to explore possibilities to further enrich the visitor experience as we move forward.

MARILYN PECKETT

Parks Canada

Winnipeg

Solution makes 'cents'

Re: Penny's death called pain (Jan. 4). If merchants feel inconvenienced by the disappearance of the penny, one simple solution would be to advertise and charge prices with the taxes included.

For example, instead of offering an item for $16.99, which actually costs $19.03 with sales tax and GST, advertise it at $19 or $19.05, taxes included, and then no pennies are required.

JOE NEWMAN

Winnipeg

Integrity intact

Contrary to Tom Sherbrook's Jan. 4 letter, Astrological rubbish, the Free Press does keep its publishing integrity by reporting on the many facets of lifestyles, hobbies, religious beliefs, nationalities, ethnic groups, cultural activities, news items of consequence, dire or outstanding, and such to satisfy the various interests of its readers. The results are often educational, enlightening and entertaining.

Whether people pay attention to the astrological charts or not, it is their choice, just as it is their choice to enjoy the comic sections, the sports pages, the career information and too many other topics to mention. Even if everything doesn't satisfy all readers, the paper does have something for everyone.

DOLLY DENNIS

Rosser

Offended by accusation

In her Jan. 8 letter, Is Canada any better, Ava Block Super writes that Canadians "seem to tolerate the murder and disappearance of invisible and marginalized women."

I am deeply offended by this accusation. While there are no doubt still some prejudices against women in some aspects of our society, I do not believe that extends to our justice system.

It may have some failings, but I do not believe there is a systematic prejudice against women in our justice system, nor is there a tolerance for murder and kidnapping in our society. I have not in my wide circle of friends ever heard expressed such a terrible thought.

ED WUSCHKE

Pinawa

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 11, 2013 A11