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Wilkes Chamber Singers perform at First Presbyterian Church

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Growth, nursing shortage leads to recruitment at NEPA hopitals, clinics

<p><em>&#8220;The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.&#8221;</em></p><p>&#8213;M.K. Clinton, author, The Returns</p><p>I couldn&#8217;t agree more with the above quote.</p><p>The world really would be a much better place if humans would live their lives like dogs. Dogs are loyal, loving (unconditionally), protective, obedient and unselfish. They make our lives much more fulfilling.</p><p>I decided to write about dogs after I read about the passing of Zorro, the Wilkes-Barre City K-9 dog, who died last week.</p><p>&#8220;We thank Zorro for his dedication and service to the Wilkes-Barre City Department and the City of Wilkes-Barre,&#8221; a city Facebook posting read.</p><p>Zorro and many others before and after him have aided law enforcement for decades. They are trained to do a job, and they do it without question.</p><p>And it was especially gratifying to see that Rumor, a female German shepherd, won Best in Show this year at the 141st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.</p><p>These events got me to thinking about dogs in general &#8212; not just the top breeds, but all dogs. The dogs living in your homes that lick your face and jump on your lap and wait at the door and bark to warn you and lie down next to you.</p><p>These are the dogs we all love and want around us.</p><p>That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s always difficult for me to look at those pictures of those dogs that are homeless. The ones that await adoption at the SPCA, or at Blue Chip Animal Farm. There are so many that need a friend.</p><p>I currently do not have a dog. I have a cat &#8212; Lily &#8212; who is 18 and, well, let&#8217;s say she is set in her ways. Bringing a dog into her life at this time would not be good for anybody. I&#8217;m afraid Lily might kill me in my sleep if I brought a dog home.</p><p>That said, Lily did accept a dog in our lives for a brief time. Her name was Becky. She was my neighbor&#8217;s dog, and I was responsible for her care for a couple years. During that time, my appreciation of dogs increased dramatically, and so did Lily&#8217;s. Lily and Becky got along famously &#8212; they co-existed and even napped together. It was truly amazing to see, but it proved how dogs can win anybody over &#8212; even Lily.</p><p>Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said, &#8220;Dogs are the leaders of the planet. If you see two life forms, one of them&#8217;s making a poop, the other one&#8217;s carrying it for him, who would you assume is in charge.&#8221;</p><p>And dogs come in all shapes and sizes. I remember covering a story at Kirby Park one day. An event was being held to help homeless people. When I walked to the pavilion, I was greeted by the biggest dog I have ever seen &#8212; I think it was a Bullmastiff. The dog was just laying on the ground, watching everybody.</p><p>I had to talk to its owner, but I can tell you I was leery of getting too close. The woman assured me the dog was &#8220;a baby.&#8221; She waved me over, and I slowly approached. As I got close, the dog stood up and nearly looked me in the eye. As the dog walked toward me, I admit I was nervous.</p><p>The dog nudged me, so I petted him. The dog loved it. It fell to the ground and laid on his back, wanting a belly rub. We became instant friends.</p><p>This is why I get so upset when I see stories about animal abuse. Of how some idiots in this world abuse their animals &#8212; many of them being dogs. I applaud those who rescue these poor animals and give them homes and show them that there are humans that really do care.</p><p>My friends Deidre and Frank Kaminski take care of their daughter&#8217;s dog, Stihl, who looks a lot like Zorro and Rumor. Stihl could be the poster dog for a &#8220;Man&#8217;s Best Friend&#8221; campaign. Stihl is everything you would want in a dog and then some.</p><p>To all the dog owners and lovers out there, keep doing what you&#8217;re doing. Take care of these wonderful companions. Try to love them as much as they love you.</p><p>My pal, Chuck &#8220;Top Gun&#8221; Peterman had a black Labrador Retriever named &#8220;Rebel.&#8221; Here was a dog that loved to be around the guys. And Rebel loved to eat.</p><p>One night while playing cards, I put my hoagie on the floor to play a hand. When the hand was over, I reached for my hoagie &#8212; it was gone. Rebel ate it.</p><p>He was standing right next to me, still licking his lips, as if to say, &#8220;Got anymore.&#8221;</p><p>God, I love dogs.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">O&#8217;Boyle </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Oboyle_Bill-2-1-10.jpg</photo0><caption0>O&#8217;Boyle </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Zorro-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">K9 Zorro and Officer Stanley Wychock, provided by the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department&#8217;s Facebook page. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Zorro-2.jpg</photo1><caption1>K9 Zorro and Officer Stanley Wychock, provided by the Wilkes-Barre City Police Department&#8217;s Facebook page. </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle, or email at boboyle@www.timesleader.com.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Beyond the byline: What better friend than a dog?