On that particular day I had 50 people waiting on me to give training at my work at 10 am. So my options 1) leave the dog to get hit. 2) put him somewhere safe and get help 3) Wait for animal control and lose my job. I put him in my car – got him food and water and went to work. When I got to work – I had one of my co-workers sit with him.  At 11 when I finished my job I went out to the car got him out to walk him – at which time I noticed he was limping. I called my vet to let them know I was brining him in – they told me to call a vet hospital. I called a vet hospital they told me to call the Fairfax County Animal shelter – I called the Fairfax County Animal Shelter at 11:20. They told me they would dispatch someone. That someone didn’t come until 2 O’clock. In the mean time I was out with the dog during most of the work day. Would your work be cool with that? When that someone showed up it was a small little short man named Officer Cole on a power trip. The kind of personality that should never be allowed to be an officer. He told me he should arrest me for animal cruelty and that they would have to euthanize the dog – Mind you all this time I was like – look I am willing to pay for him to be ok. Oh – by the way – Officer Cole told me they would have to euthanize him – not because he was in so much pain – but because it was a Maryland dog in Fairfax. Really?! Especially after I kept saying I will pay for the vet bills. And believe me – I am giving a shortened and sweetened version of the way this man behaved. I pretty much had to beg the officer to let me take a picture of the dog so I could post flyers in the neighborhood where I found him.  Since then – I have posted flyers all over the neighborhood, where I found him, on three different occasions. I called the Fairfax Animal Shelter and have checked on him multiple times. I called the PG county and Charles County animal shelters and put in reports. So tell me – really ? Did I do the wrong thing? Now don’t get me wrong – aside from Officer Cole every one that I have talked to and worked with on behalf of this dog has been amazing and helpful.

  To accuse a citizen who loves animals of basically torturing a dog – while they were at work? If I had not picked him up he would be dead. If I had not called the Animal Shelter and end up waiting for hours til he was picked up – I would have taken him to the Animal Hospital at 11:30.  

This Officer has a problem with the way he interacts with the public.  It is inappropriate that the officer spoke to me the way he did and apparently filed a report that was blatently lying.  I am a highly educated and highly socially conscious person in the community. When I am helping an animal – or functioning in society in a positive manner –  I need to be spoken to with respect as I spoke to him.  Having many friends who are Police or Fire Department etc.  It is a role in society I respect.  Officer Cole’s behaviour is the kind that gives police a bad name. 

Another issue: if you want to win votes you may want to refrain from personal attacks of any sort. The Senator is not a stranger to money, but neither are a good portion of the Fauquier residents who are swing voters. Fauquier can win a close race. Concentrate less on marijuana for medical use and pot in general and on more on the issues: transportation, banking and finance, basic protections, and so forth–kitchen table issues. I think you may have lost the Fauquier folks tonight. I am the 2nd Chair of the Virginia Democratic Women’s Caucus and although Jill is not our cup of tea in terms of choice and education she steps up on other issues. You would have a hard time pulling a vote away from her on medical marijuana alone.

I am now embarrassed and humiliated to realize that our great country’s flag is not allowed to be displayed at a true hero’s home in Henrico County. It is an honor to have Col. Barfoot as a resident in Henrico. Col. Barfoot, may GOD bless and keep you.

Sussex Square, I pray that you realize your failure in representing the true spirit of America.

GOD bless America and GOD bless our flag!

The driver of the SUV going Eastbound on Old Dominion ignored a sign cautioning the approach of the intersection with the advisement to slow down to a speed of 30 MPH. The driver then went round the curve and struck the other vehicle at an alleged speed of 40 MPH which apparently is the legal speed limit of that portion of Old Dominion.

VDOT needs to put another sign below the stop sign on Bellview Road going Northbound, cautioning drivers to:

USE EXTREME CAUTION:
HIDDEN TRAFFIC COMING AT HIGH SPEEDS OF 40 MPH OR ABOVE.

The drivers on Bellview are subject to a very low speed limit of 25 MPH, and it is not obvious that the narrow single lane country road that Old Dominion appears to be, has become a commuter road with commuters travelling at 40 MPH and above.

The deceased paid with her life for her ignorance. GET THE WORD OUT.