| Snake called an ideal pet Dear Sir: With regard to your article on “Snakes in the Park’, July 20, 1994, [ would like to offer a few comments. We have a boa constrictor in our house hold and we find him to be a rather ideal pet. There are no problems with him’ disturbing neighbours with his barking, digging up their yard or using public arcas as a dumping ground, He. does not fight with the nelghbour’s cat at three in the morning nor does he do his busi- ness in the flower beds ‘as many feline pels tend to be. He does not spread bird seed all over {he carpet nor shred furni- ture or curtains when he is out of his cage. He does not raise a raucous when peopie visit, In fact, unless they are friends who know we have him, people com- ing to our home do not realize that he is here. CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD The Mail Bag He eats very little and cleaning his cage when he eliminates re- quires only .a few minutes to “Scoop oul the waste and dispose of il in the toilet (this happens three or four times a month). He spends much of the day in his cage but we take him out for a ““walk’’ around the house at least twice a day for a hour or two. When he is out of his cage, we are in the same room with him to keep an eye on him, more for his protection than anything else. As to taking these pets to the park, why should they not have the same access to public areas that canine and feline pets have? Do people think that the owners are just going to let them roam freely? These pets are of value not only as pets but from a monetary point of view. The snakes scem to en- joy this little extra freedom but there again, the owner is as much concemed for the welfare of the replile. as with any other pet. In this regard put the responsibility of having the reptile on the owner, don’t just decide that all snake owners are irresponsible, Pet Oscar is not a threat Dear Sir: Tam writing in responss to your article, “‘Park Pet Drives Locals Snaky,’’ July 20, 1994. I own a two-year old, five-foot long boa constriclor named Oscar and I believe that the people that have been complaining about the snakes in the park may be misin- formed. The fact of the matter is that these animals should not pose any problem in the park whalsocver. Snakes arc incredibly cican, do not make nolse, do not eliminate in the park, and contrary to Mrs. Oman’s stalement, they do not roam around, The boa constrictors in question are jungle animals and arc not comfortable venturing into open spaces without the close presence of their owners, I realize that a great number of people are afraid of snakes and this cannot be changed, However, in this case the fear is unfounded, The simple fact is that snakes do not atlack people unless directly threatened. And for. the record, due to an accident on my parl, I was once bitten by Oscar and it was not harmful at all. The damage was comparable to the results of a fight with a small kit- ten. a Research will show: that inci- dents of serious injury caused by domesticated, non-poisonous Snakes are so rare that they are virtually non-existent. Therefore, before people join in a phobia-based stampede to the city council, perhaps they should instead journey to the: library or local pet store and learn about these animals, , Before I bought my snake, which I would not trade for any ff dog or cat in the world, my mother was’ deathly afraid of snakes, She now handles Oscar for an hour each day with no fear what- soever, In a space as large as George Little Park, there should be room enough in the park for everybody. Brian Turner, Terrace, B,C, Veteran seeks apology Dear Sir: I am seeking an apology from Charlie Meck of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 13 over the con- tents of his letter (The Terrace Slandard, June 22) referring to mine of June 8, The only thing I] asked of Mr. Meck regarding the Legion was to pul-my letter on ils bulletin . ‘board, nothing more...-sio%% abl: All he said: to.me was it would have to go through the regular channels before being posted, [ve done no wrong except to let others know what I’ve gone through, I’m sorry ta say I have not been back ta see if my letter has been posted on the bulletin board, I do know that the Royal Cana- » dian Legion is there to help a our country. veteran in need of help. But I never asked the Legion for any- thing. My argument was not with the Legion but with the Veterans Affairs department. I’m only fighting for the un- derprivileged war veterans who are either not totally covered medically or not covered at all, who should’ be helped by Veterans Affairs and who should not have to go through what I just did, especially after all we did for Stand up, all veterans, as I am doing. We deserve what we eamed, Hand in hand we marched and defended our countrymen and we should be remembered in our time of need as they needed us. If the time comes again, | will be there willing and able as old as Tam. : The Lord bless all of us who are still alive and the ones we miss. Forget us nol: we did serve. Yours, Harvey Paul, Terrace, B.C. Special of the Month Hawaiian Pizza’s 2 Medium (Ham & Pineapple) oq ass (pick-up orders only} ——, Cc It’s Sharalyn’s 30th Birthday and there’s a Celebration! & Everything in Stock *except collactor plates & dolls Join Sharalyn for Birthday cake and coffee. Roses for the first 30 woman. Draw for $100 Gift Cerlificate. Anyone who comes in and proves its their birthday on *\ August 6 will receive a gift. ; *” Saturday August 6, 1994 ENTRAL GIFTS 102 - 4716 Lazelle Ave. 635-3334 ed se People are so conditioned from the time they are infants to fear snakes. And this fear is not misplaced when meeting reptiles im the wild. I, for one, would not know if it were poisonous or not. But the snakes that are here as pets are non-poisonous. They can bite but the bite is Jess painful than that from a dog and is done by instinct to threats or fast movements, I was approached by a young lady at work who was quite im- pressed with the snake in the park because her younger sister was excited about secing it and being able to touch it. From my own point of view, I like the fact that I am not allergic to it. (When he sheds, it’s all one piece and easy to dispose of). When I was younger, I was frightened of snakes and: wish now that I had had the experience of handling them sooner and per- haps there would have been a few less nightmares. ‘Just for the record, I am a mother of three young men and each night when I get home from work, I '‘walk’’ the snake, ' Yours truly, Ellanore Turner, Terrace, B.C. Summertime | Sleep Sale The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, August 3, 1994 - AQ t. —— ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TERRACE HEALTH CARE SOCIETY . INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE SERVICES Thursday, September 15, 1994 8:00 pm Education Room © Mills Memorial Hospital Current members of the Terrace Regional Health - Care society may renew their memberships on or before the Call to Order September 15, 1994 New members who wish to have voting rights at the Annual General Meeting must become a member of the. Terrace Regional Health Care Society on or before August 15, 1994 Annual Memberships at a cost of $5 may be purchased at Patient Reception, Mills Memorial Hospital or the Front Desk, Terraceview Lodge Cash & Carry Sale 1} 10 Year Warranty Single Set $269 Double Set $299 Queen Set $339 Spinalpedic 2 simmons Pillowtop Ultraplush Queen Set or step up to the $659 Expecting Company? A FUTON Sofa Bed offers versatility, quality comfort and affordability. Starting at $399 COUNTRYWIDE MATTRESS assorted colours 4501 Lakelse Terrace, B.C, FURNITURE & APPLIANCES 938-1158 Owned and operated by Totem Furniture & Appliances Ltd. CHARGE Mester Cad.