There are many heroes in our area, but this time it is a 13-year-old girl named Brittany Canceleno.

If you read the Journal last week, you know about the goose who was frozen into a pond. It was Wednesday, December 30, on a pond near Church Street. Well, I have an exclusive side to the story. Brittany looked out her window and noticed that when people fed the geese, one could not come for the food. She did not just feel sorry for him, but went into action mode immediately. Brittany called the Department of Environmental Conservation, or DEC, and asked if they could help. Not surprising to me, who has never had any help from them when asked, they told her to call some place in Ulster County. Those folks could not come out either, so the resourceful young girl called 911. The Ellenville Police Department did what I would expect: responded to the call. The police called the fire department and Ellenville Rescue Squad.

Very quickly, many compassionate people were at the pond, working on the best plan. Rescue Squad Captain Arnold Ortiz wisely put on a wetsuit and went into the pond. The goose was not hurt, was freed, and joined her flock. When the goose swam away, the crowd cheered. The entire event took about an hour.

I would just like to honor Brittany and the police and fire and rescue squad of our town with at least a certificate of appreciation for not only considering one of God's little creatures, but for setting a wonderful example to everyone, especially children.

If any hard-hearted person should complain about taxpayer's money, the aid that was given was very good practice in case a human being should end up in the same situation.

Thank you to all of you.

* * * Thinking about the previous story, it is too bad that no one told Brittany to call Jill Shufeldt, who is our animal control officer. I doubt if Jill has a wetsuit, but if you do need help with any animal, you can call Jill at 626-5979 or her cell 845-389-1968, or email her at doggonejill@aol.com.

Jill told me the following story:

I rescued a hound/Lab/Pit in Accord a few weeks ago. She is about two-years-old and nobody has claimed her. She is still healing from her horrendous injury. Picked up as a stray on Lucas Ave., the entire bottom of her chin was hanging off. The vet thinks she may have been going for bait in a trap, must have clamped down on the bottom lip/chin area. She must have ripped it nearly off when freeing herself from the trap. The vet had to staple her entire chin back on and she still has drains in it. She is a trooper though, and even while her chin was hanging completely off she would try to kiss you — quite gruesome, but how sweet. Once she is completely healed, she will be up for adoption. Her name is now Sadie.

I hate traps. Can you imagine being caught and full of fear and then left that way for many hours or days? I think all trapping should be banned. I would like members of the Basha Kill Area Association to ask the DEC and work with legislators to ban trapping in that beautiful, natural area. It should not be a place of suffering.