Losing best friend, but with great care
She was, without a doubt, our favorite wedding gift back in 1999. We named her Jessica Grace upon receiving our long, lanky legged, chocolate Lab pup from friends Charles and Linda Reed. Jesse was a loyal friend, protector and treasured hunting companion for 15 years.
Last week she could barely get up, and we knew that was the day that every owner of such a wonderful, Godsent, family member dreads. Jesse (aka Pooh Bear) had been in pretty good health since moving back to Kannapolis from Virginia last year — and had not needed a vet.
Finding a vet that would come to the home proved a challenging task. Then I found Dr. Scott Vaughan, and his wonderful staff at the China Grove Animal Hospital. He cut into a very busy schedule — between operations — to come to our home the next morning, along with his assistant Melanie. They spent nearly an hour — not just the 10 minutes necessitated for the job — befriending Jesse and getting acquainted with the family. Believe me when I say, their compassion and kindness went far beyond a business transaction. They even helped with laying our best friend to rest. The next day we received a beautiful sympathy card — Lab on front, of course — with a very warm, personal hand written inscription of condolence enclosed.
Our warmest wishes and prayers to Dr. Scott Vaughan, Melanie and Michelle. Somewhere down the road when Tammy and I are ready for another long legged, clumsy Lab pup, we are comforted in knowing we will have a great team standing by for what will — with the Good Lord’s help — hopefully be another wonderful and blessed 15-year-run.
— Randy and Tammy Biggerstaff
Kannapolis

Will of the voters
I fully understand someone wanting to be married. I get it. I did not vote for Amendment 1 in North Carolina. I don’t really care if gays want to marry. It’s none of my business.
But, that being said, we are a democratic society. When does the will of the majority and voters’ OK get overlooked? I understand if some say it’s a rights thing. Again, the majority voted and spoke on this issue.
So, gay friends, remember if this goes your way and I am sure it will, next time you may vote, your majority may be overturned. It’s a two-way street.
The voters and majority already settled this issue, and I am sorry it did not go your way.
If we allow a few to overrule the majority, well, let’s just say bad things can happen. Don’t think so? Read your history of a little man named Adolf Hilter.
— Grant Eagle
Concord