Home » From The Readers, Letters to the Editor » Dear Harley McGuire, Sedona’s Four-Footed Dear Abby

Dear Harley McGuire, Sedona’s Four-Footed Dear Abby

 
Wiskie
Harley McGuire, Sedona Times and SedonaEye.com star columnist

Hey Harley,

How’s it goin’? Loved your article in one of the Sedona Times  and since you asked your buddies to assist, here is a question to ask your readers that has been bothering me for quite some time.


Ya know the real skinny type dog that’s white with black spots that sits atop the really big red fire truck with the long ladder…the one that looks like it’s a football field long?


Well, I’ve been wondering why it is that we have such a big truck in such a short town? From what I’ve been able to gather, there’s no building in Sedona that’s more than 2 stories tall! Can you believe the boys down at the firehouse got the town to approve of this humungous toy! Why do you suppose they bought that big fire engine in the first place?

 

Well, since I’m hearing that this useless red engine truck cost almost a million $$$, why don’t they recoup some of this money and sell it to a town with tall buildings? They may also be able to save more money since they won’t need a qualified ladder truck jockey any more!


With this dastardly horrific economy, wouldn’t it make sense to get some of the money back that the SFD so foolishly spent? Then they could put the foolish money towards all the overtime assigned to fighting fires.


Hope this helps you scoop the other ST writers!

Your Buddy,

 Wiskie


Harley McGuire writes:

 

Dear Wiskie:

Since you’re asking for answers to your questions from my readers, that very nicely lets me off the hook! I’m a thinkin’ though that when Mom needs her battery changed (on her smoke alarm, that is) maybe, just maybe, the guys who do it will show up in that big truck. Whew, that would create some excitement in the neighborhood and possibly if I look sad enough they’d let me sit on the big dude for a minute even though I’m not one of those speckled dogs. 

Thanks for writing.

Lovingly,

Harley McGuire

16 Comments

  1. Mandy says:

    Hello Harley Mcguire…don’t know anything about fire trucks and politics, but I think you are cute…

  2. Krispen Katz of Milwaukee Wisc. says:

    they tell me that i came with the name and i promise to refer my dog friends to you for reading including the house dog (a royal pain in a cat’s arse) called PERCY….but who names a cat KRISPEN & a dog PERCIVAL PLANET !??!?@<<#

  3. Harley McGuire says:

    Oh Mandy, I’m blushing!

    Krispen Katz of Milwaukee, Wisc., Chase b Quicken, etal, can’t figure out what to tell you.

    Do any of you have a solution to the humun-gus fire truck here in Sedona, Arizona? Percy? Krispen? Percival Plantet? I need help . . .
    !??!?@<<#: I agree!

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

  4. Chip & Dale says:

    Harley – we agree with Wiskie – also what about taking over 89A? Lights or no lights the city is just out of its league -We don’t know where common sense went – but there isn’t much in the local government – thanks for your time even if we are cats!!!!

  5. Harley McGuire says:

    OMG, more kitty fans! Oh happy day. Not only that, you are very smart. Just wait til the other shoo drops and ADOT tells the folks that SR l79 is included with the gift package of 89A. Yep, it WILL happen.

    Also, Mommy read some stupid comment about how neato it will be for non-profiteers to put up signs along 89A where ADOT prohibits it in their current rite-of-way. Well, that’s another joke an’ motherhood and apple pie con job cuz places like that fancy name . . . hmm Looburg(?) will be the first to plunk down a sign rite there by that motel corner where ADOT won’t let ’em.

    Away we’ll go with the look of somethin’ called Loose Vegas. If, by chance, you live in that Village place where Mommy takes me to that neat park, just be happy, laugh, and enjoy that you weren’t included in this . . . hmm (again) corprated Sedona City Limits were the Pony Shows never end. Nope, not “Dog and Cat” included there. They deserve better. Thank you very much for writing to me, Chip & Dale. I love kitties, doggies, and most things furry. Some two legged critters are OK too. Specially Mom cuz she feeds me.

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

  6. Steve Carr, Phoenix says:

    Hey there Harley McGuire, I thought that you’d want to share this with our four legged buddies in Sedona and Verde Valley. It will be a fun day in Phoenix doing a good deed for two legged pals.
    Woofin’ at ya,
    Steve

    9TH ANNUAL DOG-FRIENDLY LIVER LIFE WALK, SATURDAY, MARCH 19 TO BENEFIT AMERICAN LIVER FOUNDATION

    An anticipated 1,000 walkers, many with their dogs who will compete for top prizes for best trick, smallest and happiest dogs, among others, are expected at the 9th annual Liver Life Walk, presented by Mayo Clinic, on Saturday, March 19 at Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, in Phoenix.

    Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Both the 5k and 1k walks will start at 9:30 with the dog contests to take place after the walks end. The Liver Life Walk will conclude by 11:30 a.m. A Family Expo also is planned with on-site booths by companies providing services to families and dogs.

    There is no registration fee for the team-based event, although each team member is asked to raise $25 in donations. Walkers raising at least $100 will receive an official t-shirt.

    In conjunction with the Walk, the Liver Foundation is kicking off “Lincolns 4 Livers,” a drive to collect spare change that will be matched in part by MidFirst Bank. The coin drive will begin January 29 and the donations can be used toward the team goal for the Walk.

    Last year’s Walk attracted more than 800 walkers and raised approximately $88,000 for the Desert Southwest Division of the American Liver Foundation. The fund-raising goal this year is $110,000 and 1000 walkers.

    “We’re well on our way to reaching those goals with the tremendous response we’ve already seen,” said Division Vice President Melissa McCracken. “Can you think of a better way to spend a spring morning in Arizona than a brisk walk and the chance to show off your dog to raise money for a great cause?”

    Teams can register for the event online at http://www.liverfoundation.org/chapters/Arizona.

  7. Harley McGuire says:

    Cool man (oops, Mr. Carr, Sir.) Mom doesn’t like it if I don’t watch my manners. Hope you have crowds and crowds of both the two and four legged variety.

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

  8. Inoch says:

    Well, I happen not to agree with Wiskie. Originally my mommy and I did think that it was a big waste of money to spend $800,000 for that big, big fire truck also known as the 2007 Sutphen SPH100. Television, movies, and popular culture have created the impression that ladders are only needed to reach vertically, which is incorrect. But then my mommy did her homework at the big library in Sedona and this is what she found out.

    Ladder trucks are not used exclusively for tall buildings, but rather provide horizontal reach as a key factor. The Sedona Fire District has a
    number of large structures including the new ProBuild Center at 28,000 square feet, Safeway, Bashas, Walgreens, and numerous large residences of 20,000 square feet. Most of our forest fires and brush fires need to be reached and fought horizontally to be effective in a minimum amount of time. The same goes for any of the stores in West and Uptown Sedona, because of the sidewalks and landscaping being in the way, our fightfighters have to use the 100 ft ladder to reach the burning structures.

    That unit is heavily borrowed by our surrounding fire jurisdictions because of it’s versality. It’s so much easier and safer to be fighting fires from a platform above the fires than standing on a ladder right next to the fire. In addition, the Fire District got a discount of almost $200,000 because this unit was used to demonstrate the capabilities of this wonderful, big firetruck to fire departments in our area. After mommy and I got educated, we realized how lucky we are to have this big, big fire truck in town. In fact, we went to the big fire station on 89A,,,I think they call it Fire Station #1… and they gave us a tour and explained exactly what that fire truck is capable of doing.

    In fact Wiskie it might not be a bad idea if you, Chip & Dale, got a chance to learn a bit more about what this big firetruck can do and….who knows, the nice guys in the blue uniforms may even let you ride on it! Wouldn’t that be real fun. Much better than chasing after it, isn’t it?

    Well, Wiskie,Chip and Dale, each day we learn something new…don’t we?

    Harley, thank you for letting me answer this letter. I really appreciate it because it gave me a chance to see that big, big, fire truck up close!

    Your canine buddy,
    Inoch

  9. Harley McGuire says:

    Hey, Inoch, it’s been a while since I’ve heard from you. As you know, I was only the messenger on this fire truck thing and Wiskie wanted response from readers and I thank you for being among them. Someone said that for fighting the forest fires it didn’t work out too well ’cause that big monster couldn’t turn around up Oak Creek Canyon!

    Anyhow, it’s good it’s being used. One day Mom and I were over by a grocery store and someone said “man down” and an amlance came and then that monster followed and we thought it would wipe out half the cars in the parking lot. Whew. It’s good the amlance was there or the guy would have checked out.

    It might be an OK thing if maybe those other places who use it could pay like rent or something? Do you know if they do? Mom remembers when the fire department was volunteer and they did a really good job, but then some high flewtin dude from California or some place came in and had big city ideas. Everything changed.

    Thanks again for writing. Wish I knew who did your ears and nails? Mom’s getting crabby dealing with me.

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

  10. Inoch says:

    Hey Harley,

    The lady I go to works at that pet shop in the outlet center. She knows how to deal with my nails. In fact, she’s going to do them this Saturday.

    Mom is getting me ready to go back to CCI so she could get re-certified for the next three years. She told me I better be a good boy and remember my commands. Piece of cake, Harley. Mom works with me on them daily. I can do 50+ things. Harley, if we meet someday, I’ll show you how I could turn lights on and off, open doors, get things off the floor, and put my sister Sadie’s empty food bowl in the sink for Mom. I know more; but I have to geet ready for sleep now.

    Hope you have a wonderful Thursday.
    Love,
    Your buddy Inoch

  11. Harley McGuire says:

    Wow, Inoch, you are one amazing canine! I do so hope that one day we can meet but I expect to be intimidated.

    No, I’m not interested in learning your talents even though they are so admirable. I’m quite content with Mother waiting on me hand and foot! Yep, she spoils me rotten and I’m ashamed to admit that one of her rewards is only that I try to bite her when she messes with my feet. Last night I felt sad and tried to cuddle next to her in bed. I think it made her happy again.

    Thanks for letting me know about that place where we can find the nail lady. For sure we need to check her out.

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

  12. Golden Bone Rescue & Rehab says:

    Hey there Harley McGuire,

    Golden Bone Rescue & Rehab is hosting a ZUMBATHON on March 12th in Cottonwood. Enjoy 90 minutes of the hottest latin inspired dance work out at the lovely Cottonwood Civic Center. Golden Bone Rescue places abandoned and abused dogs into loving foster and forever homes. They rehabilitate frightened and behaviorally challenged dogs, giving many dogs on euthanasia lists a new lease on life. An adoption event kicks off the day at 10:30 so please send all your big-hearted and loving friends. Guest speakers will include a prominent dog behavior specialist. Zumba instructors begin the dancing at 1pm! Admission is $25 and all proceeds go to Golden Bone Rescue & Rehab.

    Remember March 12th from 10:30am – 3:00pm at 805 N. Main Street in Cottonwood. We love SedonaEye.com! Thanks Harley!

  13. Harley McGuire says:

    And thank you, Golden Bone Rescue & Rehab! Count on me to help get the word out about these fabulous events to help “thems that can’t help themselves.” Best of luck for a successful endeavor.

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

  14. Humane Society of Sedona says:

    Hey Harley McGuire…there is a Low Cost Spay / Neuter Clinic! The shelter now offers a low-income, low-cost spay/neuter clinic to those eligible. Applications are online. Spay/neuter fees are based on species and gender. The clinics are offered once a week. Drop off your pet in the morning and pick him/her up later that same day. Have questions? Give us a call at 928-284-1572.

    Did you know that $17 out of each pet-friendly vehicle license plate sale goes to a special fund for spaying and neutering pets in Arizona? Our shelter applied for a grant and received $5,000 last year from license plate sales. Plates may be personalized with a maximum of 5 characters. Visit the DMV website and select Pet Friendly/Spay & Neuter link. License plates cost $25.

  15. Paw Prints Thrift Shop says:

    Paw Prints Thrift Shop is open Monday through Saturday at 6040 Highway 179 (across from Circle K) in the Village of Oak Creek. All proceeds go to the Humane Society and there is a book of Harley McGuire pals who are looking for homes. If you have furniture or household items you’d like to donate, please consider the Paw Prints Thrift Shop. For heavier items, we offer pick-up and delivery service. Call 928-284-4635 for an appointment.

  16. Harley McGuire says:

    Oh Happy Day it is for me to hear from our very own Sedona Humane Society and related Paw Prints Thrift Shop.

    A new kid on the block named Skipper just visited your low cost clip joint which means I’ll be able to meet him soon because his mom said he won’t be so “frisky” (whatever that means.)

    Also, my mom went to the thrift shop with Skipper’s mom and they found him a nice bed out there.

    Keep up the good work!

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

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