I'm writing in support of the letters from Jim Weger (Dec. 5) and Rose Williams (Dec. 13) regarding pets in businesses where food is available.

On Dec.13 we were shopping in a well-known store in Lebanon and ran into a woman who had three dogs (yes, three) in a cart people use to put their food products in.

We notified management (to no avail) and contacted the head offices in Eugene. We have been a supporter of this store chain for many years. That has come to an abrupt halt.

We have had pets in our homes our entire lives, some 60-plus years, and yes they've always been companion pets, but they don't go shopping with us. It seems our parents did a better job of teaching us hygiene lessons where pets are concerned. Are people who shop with pets more valued? It appears so.

A dog being present because of a person with a physical need is different, but should never be placed in a cart where food products are also placed.

Joe Barber, Lebanon

Pick up after your dogs

How come pet owners are so irresponsible? I know Albany has a leash law, which means your dog is to be confined or restrained at all times. Some well-trained dogs will stay with their owners and not cause a problem. I am not so concerned about dogs running loose as I am about dog owners not picking up after their pets.

A walk in the park is no longer carefree. We walk our dogs on a regular basis, and yes we pick up the waste. We seem to be in the minority.

Recently on our walk around Lexington Park, I took an informal survey. On one loop around the park I counted 30 different dog piles. These were all on the sidewalk or within 4 feet of it. And I am sure there were more that I didn't see. And who knows how many are in the grass? So much for throwing a frisbee. No telling what you or it might land in.

Not only is this disgusting, it is unsanitary. I doubt anyone wants to track this on the carpet or have kids get it in their mouth. There are bags provided in a lot of places. Sometimes the dispensers are empty but the people that take them must have another use for them.

While the pet bags work the best, there are other options. Any plastic bag will work. All stores use them, so getting one is no problem. If nothing else, you can use a garden trowel and bucket.

If you are going to be a pet owner, be responsible. If you are not going to be responsible, take your dog somewhere other people don't have to go. Perhaps you should walk your dog in your own backyard and no one would care whether you picked up or not.

Larry Truesdale, Albany

Libraries open the world

Over 60 years ago my parents moved from Portland to a small farm near Scio. Post-World War II there were few paved roads, no one had television and reading local newspapers and listening to the radio provided news.

The first time I visited a public library was in Scio when I was enrolled in the local grade school. The world opened up to me on that day and the doorway it revealed has aided me the rest of my life.

Libraries are a great resource. They can provide me with entertainment, educate me, enlighten me and entice me. Even though we now have Internet, television, iPods, IMAX theaters and terrific long-distance phone service I still find myself drawn to libraries - dependable, honest verifiable sources of information available free of charge to anyone. The opportunity to check out a book on any subject is available to anyone who has a library card.

Unknown sources give me information on the Internet. I can't see their faces, verify their expertise or depend upon what I'm exposed to via the web.

I count myself lucky because we have a public library in Scio - but there are many people in Linn County who still don't have that access into the world. Consider the concept that an educated people are free people - this freedom is not to be exclusive or reserved for a select few.

Be a good Linn County neighbor - support a library district that will provide services to everyone and encourage citizens to learn about their world.

Mary M. Van Agtmael. Scio