APRIL 19, 2024 TRUTH OR LIES Truth or lies: Roary and the blind dog The nameless stray dog was born Beach. His in a cave on the island of Tasmania, Australia, on Cole's mother quickly abandoned him after five weeks. The red haired golden retriever grew up not knowing he was blind. He had a keen sense of smell and walked with such confidence you never would have known he was blind. Every evening after scrounging around for food he would always find his way back to his cove on the beach. Byron, who was 10 years old, and his brothers Noah (12) and Roary (13) were all at Cole's Beach building sand castles. Roary said to his brothers, “Please let’s go swimming now. It’s hot out here.” Roary was a natural-born swimmer, even though he could not see. His two brothers would often swim with him and guide him. This was his favorite thing to do, considering he loved the challenge. It made him feel as though he could see. Byron and Noah kept racing each other building sand castles. Noah said to Roary, “OK — in a minute. Soon as we finish, we’ll go take you swimming. Just wait a minute.” “Help! Help! (splash) Help, help (splash)! (splash) Help!” Roary was hollering. He had wandered into the water without his brothers. He was impatient and frustrated because of the heat. Roary figured if he swam before, he could do it again! But when the bottom went from under him, Roary panicked, realizing he did not know the direction of the shore. The unnamed dog was in the water cooling off. He sensed that Roary was in a panic, fighting the water. He swam over to Roary, barking. He then swooped under him, placing The boys explained what happened at the beach slowly. “Mom, can we keep him please?” “Are you all right, son? Do I need to take you to the doctor?” “I’m all right, no Mom,” said Roary. The dog was bumping into everyFELICIA WILBERT Groundcover vendor No. 234 thing; he had never been in a house. Their mom turned around and looked at the dog running into everything. She said, “Looks like that dog can’t see.” “Yes, he can!” Roary hollered out. Roary on his back, still keeping his head above the water. Roary's two brothers were calling to the dog, “Here boy, here boy, over here boy!” and raced towards him. The unnamed dog was swimming towards the boys and the shore as though he could see. When they reached the shore, the brothers thanked the dog petting him, hugging him, loving all over him. Roary said, “It would be nice if we could keep him.” “Do you think Mom and Dad would let us keep him?” Byron asked. Noah said, “Well, let’s go see. Let’s take him home with us. We have to. He just saved your life! There’s no one else out here — so whose dog is it?” “He has no collar,” said Byron. They were so excited they forgot to scold their brother. Byron, Noah and Roary were so excited when they arrived home. Seeing their mom, they blurted everything out. “Roary went out into the water on his own! He almost drowned and the dog saved his life!” said Noah and Byron, talking at the same time. Mom said, “Wait a minute, what happened? Slow down!” Is "Roary and the bling dog" TRUTH or LIES? Samuel and Martha Waymeans, published March 8, was TRUE. “He saved me from drowning today. How could he find me in the water; and take me to the shore?” “I don’t know, but that dog surely can’t see, watch this! Here boy, come here boy,” she said to the dog. The dog moved in the direction of her voice. However, he still was bumping into things. She waved her hand in front of his eyes. She asked Noah to go get one of his small balls. Mom took the ball and waved it in front of the dog's eyes and his face. He did not respond. She took the ball again and repeated the same steps. Then she threw the ball. “Go get it boy.” He did not move or turn his head. Mom said, “He is blind. Don’t worry, we'll take him to the vet. Have him checked out and make sure he’s healthy. You can keep him. If he is blind, you have to be extra careful with him, like your brother. I’ll smooth the dog idea over with your dad. Right now we need to get him some food and give him a bath then he can stay.” The next day they took the dog to the vet. The veterinarian confirmed that the dog was blind. However, he was a healthy 10-month-old golden retriever. He also informed them that it would be difficult to train him, suggesting they send him to obedience school. The boys had a fuss with each other all evening, trying to decide the dog's name. They decided whoever the dog chose as his master should name him. He let the boys bathe him, however, he stuck under Roary. That evening at dinner, Roary decided to name him, announcing his name as Colander. As time passed, Roary and Colander became inseparable. He trusted his dog and his dog trusted him. Roary would tie a rope around Colander’s collar, then attach it to himself to swim with him. Even though Colander could not see, he was a great lead dog. He always knew how to return to the shore. Colander lived to be 21 years old, passing away on the 21st anniversary of their meeting. Roary never forgot how Colander had saved his life. He had a plaque made that said “My Superhero Colander.” GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11 CHANGE from page 4 Homeless statistics in Michigan Since the housing market has tightened and government aid programs have dried up, more people in Michigan are facing a crisis of the unhoused. According to the most recent report from Michigan's Campaign to End Homelessness, the number of homeless individuals in Michigan increased by 8% in 2022, from 30,113 to 32,589 persons. While other regions like West Michigan, mid-Michigan and the Detroit area also experienced double-digit increases, the western half of the Upper Peninsula witnessed a 47% increase — and Northern Michigan saw a 56% increase. In the meantime, the northeastern region of the state and southwest Michigan saw a population decline. Who is doing what? State Representative Emily Dievendorf (D-Lansing) reintroduced a "Bill of Rights for the Homeless" in July 2023. This bill would have protected homeless individuals from discrimination in the workplace due to their lack of a permanent address, ensure that they are treated equally by all government agencies, and allow them to vote and receive the documentation required to prove their identity. According to House Bill 4919, an individual's rights, privileges or access to public services cannot be taken away from them or restricted just because they are homeless or thought to be homeless. Homeless people in the state of Michigan are entitled to the same rights and benefits as any other citizen. But much more needs to be done. This bill is currently in limbo, as it was referred to the Committee on Economic Development and Small Business, but has not moved past introduction. Regarding the lack of concern about homelessness becoming a top priority for Michigan voters and those around the world, I have spearheaded a "Let us always remember that our true wealth lies not in the abundance of our possessions but in the compassion we show towards the poor and vulnerable." ~EPM worldwide campaign called Mandate Future Political Leaders to Prioritize Homelessness on Change.org to bring the issue to the forefront. And I hope that Republicans and Democrats alike come together and realize that homeless issues should become among the top concerns of the voters' minds along with the economy, abortion rights, immigration and more.
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