Very grateful

Dear sir:
This is an open letter to the good people of Fort Frances–and in particular to the decent, kind-hearted person who found my little lost dog and returned her to me last Saturday.
A few weeks ago, we were all shocked to read in the Times about an act of unspeakable cruelty in the very heart of our community. I am referring, of course, to the case of the puppies that had been abandoned to die of hypothermia in a dumpster.
Revolting as this incident was, I still have reason to believe that compassion far outweighs brutality in Fort Frances.
Last Saturday morning (Feb. 13), I was exercising my new puppy on the municipal walking trail north of Eighth Street (yes, there is actually a sign that says dogs are welcome!)
Just as we were crossing the S.C.S.C. snowmobile trail, a bright red snowmobile came hurtling along the trail at full throttle. The dog (a five-month-old German shepherd) became terrified and dashed off down the snowmobile trail with the snowmobile in relentless pursuit.
And that was the last I saw of my dog. I searched the whole day for her–all the hiking trails, snowshoe trails, and snowmobile trails between Eighth Street and Stanjikoming Bay. All without success.
But I did learn something worthwhile. It was during these eight hours of anguish that I began to notice, for the first time, the surprisingly generous nature of the average Fort Frances resident.
There was the fellow who lives in the little yellow and green house at the top end of Minnie Avenue who offered to go out and look for my dog with his snowmobile. There was the mini-bus load of young native Canadians (involved in some kind of a healing project) who volunteered to help me look for my doggie.
Another dog-walker and four cross-country skiers all said that they would keep a special lookout for her.
Finally, at 5 p.m. with the sun setting and with the realization that my “Sunshine” would have to spend the night alone somewhere out in the big muskeg north of Rainycrest, I returned home, profoundly discouraged.
And what did I find when I got home? “Sunshine!” Some kind soul had picked her up, God knows where, deciphered the address label on her collar, presumably loaded her in a car or truck, and delivered her safely to her own back door.
What can I say? Thanks Fort Frances, you’re the best!
Sincerely,
Colin Young