Letters_09-23

Jeff Green | Jun 11, 2009

Good Samaritans, Ron Hodgson, Ottawa

Bear Bites Bear, William Faiola

The oil light was flashing on the dash of my friend's car and we were well beyond cell-phone range in the backwoods of North Frontenac. Fortunately we were able to pull off the narrow gravel road. We inspected the road behind us; sure enough there was a trail of dark oil leading about 1/2 km back to a boulder in the middle of the road. The car was immobilized and we knew we had to find another way out.

It was June 6 and my friend Dave and I had decided to spend a day fishing on Granite Lake. The roads to Granite Lake are pretty rough and we decided that the Mosque Lake - Hydro Line route was too rough for our Jetta Station Wagon. We were advised that the Arkol Road might work for us. It turned out to be a much better route and despite a disappointing day of fishing, we were confident that the return journey would be uneventful. That's when the beeping started.

It was 4:30 p.m. so we reckoned we'd be seeing the sun go down before we finished our hike to get some help.  Plus, this was no place for a tow truck after dark and our wives, back at our cottage near Snow Road, would be ready to call out the Provincial Police rescue squad before too long. 

Then came the sound of ATV engines and around the bend came a squadron of ATVers looking like a group of dusty Martians in their helmets and masks. When we told them our problem there was no hesitation. Two of them volunteered to take us to a phone at the Ompah Fish Hatchery while the rest of the party waited. This would delay them a good 45 minutes and they still had to get to Calabogie for supper. But this was a Good Samaritan situation.

I'd never ridden on an ATV before – it was dusty maybe, but very comfortable.  We barreled off down the road leaving our poor Jetta bleeding on the side of the road. But when we arrived at the fish hatchery it was closed and the cottages in the area were, too.  "Let's take them to the Trout Lake Hotel", said my Samaritan, "It's only another 10 minutes."  Off we went again and soon we were at the hotel, dry-lipped and dusty but in the presence of a phone, a friendly bartender and ultimate salvation.

Our Samaritans wouldn't take anything for their help. It's almost a code, it seems, to help strangers and to expect help if and when you need it. So I'm hoping you'll publish this letter as a way of expressing our gratitude for the help we experienced, which we'll pass on if we ever get the opportunity to help others in distress. Thanks boys - we won't forget your kindness.

Ron Hodgson, Ottawa

We have a big black Labrador; his name is Bear. He is a really passive dog by nature, loves people and hates to be alone. The cat beats him up. On June 5 at 5:30 pm, my two boys, Chris and Adam went for a walk with Bear along the trail bed across from Clement Road near Sharbot Lake.

All of a sudden they came across a big black bear and two cubs. The cubs took off. The big bear stood there grunting not moving away. Our dog Bear went right at the bear and bit it on the butt, the bear took off pretty fast.

The next day we went to Kingston, but when we returned we found our house vandalized and our dog Bear gone.

William Faiola