This past Sunday afternoon, as I was shopping with my son at the Cataraqui Town Centre in Kingston, some enterprising individual, or group of individuals, decided to do a little window shopping of their own.
I am not going to rant about my feelings regarding this. I think that anyone reading this would be able to figure out what my emotional state would be. I will not even dignify with an answer the person who commented on the Kingston Whig-Standard website on my posting with something akin to me “asking for it.” My feelings toward them, too, can be easily divined.
Compared to other vile acts on people, my experience pales in comparison. Neither my son, or I, were injured (except the trauma on our Christmas spirit). In the scheme of things, when so many families lose loved ones, their homes and their livelihoods, this is admittedly pretty petty in comparison.
Nevertheless, I do want to say some things.
First, I want to thank the couple who immediately reported the vandalism and theft to the Cat Centre Security Office. Too many people watch these things happen and resolve to do nothing. They set an example that others in our society would do well to emulate.
Second, I want to thank Kyle, the Security Officer, who dealt with the situation. Although I am not certain what his duties are, I am sure he went up and beyond them. He scrounged up plastic and tape to podge the hole shut, he calmed my son, who just experienced his first taste of crime one week before his 8th birthday, and he calmed me as well. He took down the information, was eager to handle any request, and stood out as a good ambassador for the mall.
If I ever set foot in that place again, it will be for people like Kyle who work there.
Now, I said I would not address the individuals responsible for this, but that’s not entirely true. In fact, I wish to offer them some hospitality.
Make your way out to the country. Stop in, and help yourself to more things that I worked hard to afford – be my guest.
Before you get too eager, however, I want to introduce you to a member of my family:
First, I want to thank the couple who immediately reported the vandalism and theft to the Cat Centre Security Office. Too many people watch these things happen and resolve to do nothing. They set an example that others in our society would do well to emulate.
Second, I want to thank Kyle, the Security Officer, who dealt with the situation. Although I am not certain what his duties are, I am sure he went up and beyond them. He scrounged up plastic and tape to podge the hole shut, he calmed my son, who just experienced his first taste of crime one week before his 8th birthday, and he calmed me as well. He took down the information, was eager to handle any request, and stood out as a good ambassador for the mall.
If I ever set foot in that place again, it will be for people like Kyle who work there.
Now, I said I would not address the individuals responsible for this, but that’s not entirely true. In fact, I wish to offer them some hospitality.
Make your way out to the country. Stop in, and help yourself to more things that I worked hard to afford – be my guest.
Before you get too eager, however, I want to introduce you to a member of my family:
He is over 130 pounds, and is a breed of dog called a Great Pyrenees. You may not be familiar with them, so let me provide some detail from the American Kennel Club:
http://clubs.akc.org/gpca/gpcabreed.html
“The Great Pyrenees is a territorial guard by nature, which means that he works to keep his territory free from predatory danger. Because of this, there may be times when the shepherd does not see the dog for long periods of time. He knows that the job is being done because the losses decrease. If the dog is working effectively, the stockman may never see a predator, and the flock will never be disturbed.
“A good working dog has been selected for hostility toward all possible predators. This is why Great Pyrenees, although bred to work on bears and wolves, are equally effective on wild and feral dogs which are an increasing problem to stockman.
http://clubs.akc.org/gpca/gpcabreed.html
“The Great Pyrenees is a territorial guard by nature, which means that he works to keep his territory free from predatory danger. Because of this, there may be times when the shepherd does not see the dog for long periods of time. He knows that the job is being done because the losses decrease. If the dog is working effectively, the stockman may never see a predator, and the flock will never be disturbed.
“A good working dog has been selected for hostility toward all possible predators. This is why Great Pyrenees, although bred to work on bears and wolves, are equally effective on wild and feral dogs which are an increasing problem to stockman.
By nature, the Great Pyrenees is nocturnal. It has no tolerance for other dogs except the herding dogs that it works with, and very small dogs. It can be trusted with small, young and helpless animals of any kind, but it has to be watched as a young pup with some supervision as it usually takes a pup 18 months to become a livestock guardian dog. It is one of the most interesting qualities of a Great Pyrenees-the absolute intolerance of all predators, coupled with extraordinary patience and kindness to stock. "
So, here’s my generous offer.
So, here’s my generous offer.
You can keep whatever you grab, so long as you can get away from him in time.
Remember – one of his breed can single-handedly kill a mountain lion, and two can kill a bear. Also bear in mind he has a very, very long chain (which he has snapped on occasion), and likes to spend more time outside than in the house.
If you can hang on to whatever you steal before he pounces on you and mistakes you for a wolf or a coyote, I’ll gladly accept the loss with humility and a tip of the hat to you for your survival skills.
Oh yeah, and Merry Christmas to you. Enjoy my camera.
If you can hang on to whatever you steal before he pounces on you and mistakes you for a wolf or a coyote, I’ll gladly accept the loss with humility and a tip of the hat to you for your survival skills.
Oh yeah, and Merry Christmas to you. Enjoy my camera.
