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The arrival of winter and winter weather means that numerous "outdoor" dogs will suffer as they are not adequately protected from the harsh elements. Howling winds, biting cold temperatures and snow, sleet and occasionally rain will adversely affect even the hardiest of outdoor dogs which are not ap- . propriately protected. Some people believe it is accep- table to keep their dog outside without shelter. This is not the case. Many dogs are not outdoor dogs. Some dogs can manage out- of-doors provided they have a good doghouse and they are ac- climatized to outdoor weather when they are younger and dur- ing warmer weather. Under the Criminal Code of Canada, all dogs are, by law, re- quired to have adequate shelter. A doghouse should be large enough for the dog to stand up, sit down, turn around and stretch out comfortably to the fullest extent of its limbs. It should be insulated, have an interior windbreak, ex- terior door flap and be elevated six inches off the ground, facing away from the prevailing winds. As well, the dimensions of the doghouse should be directly related to the size of the dog. This is important for the dog to keep warm in the doghouse with its own body heat. Outdoor dogs should always have access to fresh water in a non-spillable water container. Besides inadequate shelter, another problem many outdoor dogs experience is a lack of atten- tion from their family members. . Letters io the editor Money not frittered away on French Immersion To the Editor: On November 30, Mr. Dean Kel- ly wrote a letter regarding government spending in which he claimed French Immersion cost Durham Region $30 million last year. I replied the following week that the figure was nonsense. He in turn wrote back December 11 stating that he got his figures from Ian Brown, Chairman of the Board of Education and that since he had quoted these figures in the media before and they hadn't been disputed, the implication was that they must be fact. Well, I'm disputing them now. Since that time, I've spoken to Bobby Drew, trustee and Dr. Barry Vail, Superintendent of Schools. He told me he had no idea why Mr. Brown would give Mr. Kelly such figures. According to Dr. Vail, the Board considers French Immersion to be no more expensive than the usual pro- gramm and if it is more expen- sive ... "the cost is minimal' and I quote. He said the idea that French Immersion was more expensive was a "fallacy" (his word). Dr. Vail went on to say that only 15-20% of the Board's discre- tionary funds are spent on educa- tion. Eighty to eighty-five percent is spent on equipment, salaries, maintenance and things of that nature. It would be totally ludicrous then, to even consider spending half the remaining budget on only 2,705 students. Furthermore, Ottawa would not allow it & the Board simply could not justify the cost. He did mention that French text books were more expensive, but in my experience, when French Imer- sion came to R.H. Cornish, parents raised money to offset the cost and to this day, fundraising goes on. Mr. Kelly mentions several drop-out rate figures from studies across Canada, but I can assure readers the drop-out rate in Durham is not reflected in these figures. The article he refers to says only 27% of Grade 7 students sfar in Immersion, yet the number of children in my daughter's Grade 7 class has hardly changed since kindergarten. If the drop-out rate is as high as 60% in Durham, why is almost half the population at R.H. Cornish in French Immer- sion? We are blessed with a very impressive system in this Region that is well regarded outside this area. Instead of talking about Canada-wide surveys, let's talk about what Durham residents are paying for. Mr. Kelly quotes statistics on proficiency, but it might interest readers to know a recent govern- ment study whose results were published a couple of weeks ago in the Toronto Star, found there was virtually no difference in the reading abilities of the English" and French Immersion Grade 6 students tested. It was suggested that I had enrolled my children in French Immersion so they could some day get "prime" government jobs. Come on! why would I want my kids in government jobs when they could work for an airline, the R.C.M.P., international com- panies, or teach? The possiblities are endless. My youngest daughter wants to be a veterinarian. Her French Immersion background will allow her to app- ly not only to the college in Guelph, but to the college in Quebec as well. But even if my girls never use their French after graduation it is making them bet- ter students by challenging them and broadening their minds. Mr. Kelly asks why not learn Spanish since it is more prevalent in the world than French. I can only answer that one would not go to Belgium and expect to speak Spanish when the two official languages are Flemish and French. . The whole point of this letter is to try to let readers know that their tax dollars are not being squandered as far as Immersion is concerned. Mr. Kelly's letter keeps harking back to Meech Lake, the G.S.T. and the govern- ment forcing bilingualism on Canada while I'm trying to talk about the cost of French Immer- sion to the taxpayer in Durham Region. He is entitled to his opi- nion of the Mulroney government and English supremacy (although English dominance is more as a result of the sun never setting on the British empire and American advances in science and technology than English be- ing "right" and "'good.'), but I think these views are unfair when they are used to try to persuade the public that money is being frittered away on a chosen few at the expense of other children who are being forced to use food banks. Sandra Smith Prince Albert Dogs are social animals. They need love and attention. Unfor- tunately many outdoor dogs only see someone for the time it takes to place the animal's food bowl before it and give the pet a *'pat on the head." If your dog is an outdoor dog, at least make sure it is comfortable. An appropriately constructed doghouse inside a fenced-in yard or dog run is a good start. As well, make sure the dog receives plen- ty of attention. Take it for fre- quent walks, play with it and groom it. Provide your 'best friend" with plenty of love and at- tention and your kindness will be returned several times over by your faithful, canine companion. Doghouse Construction The doghouse illustrated in Fig. 2 can be simply made from readi- - ly available materials. Basically, itis a frame of 2' x 2" 's, with a 1, or 3" weatherproof plywood exterior. It has an entrance and hallway which are separated from a sleeping area. Walls, floors and ceiling of the sleep-area are insulated with 12" styrofoam sheets, which, in turn, are covered on the inside with a panelling of %" hardboard or similar material. Size Of Sleeping Area Floor Space For each inch of your dog's height (measured from top of shoulder to ground), allow 36 square inches of floor space. For example, a dog 12 inches tall needs 432 square inches of floor space, or a floor area of 16" x 27" ~ Take care of outdoor dogs by building shelter equals 432 square inches. Height Of Sleeping Area Add 1 or 2 inches to your dog's measurement when in a sitting position (from top of head to ground), in order to determine the ceiling height. For example, a dog 12 inches tall will have a sitting height of about 14 inches and the doghouse ceiling should be 15 or 16 inches high. Overall Doghouse Dimensions For example, a Dalmation (20" tall, sitting height 23") doghouse should measure: sleeping area -- 20' x 26'; hall area -- 12' x 20"; ceiling height -- 25°'; doorways -- 10" square; roof -- 36" x 72". IF YOUR AD WAS HERE Over 20.000 people could have read it this week. That's a lot of potential customers for your business. For advertising Made Easy call the PORT PERRY STAR - 985-7383 (o wich . ST. JOHN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Rev. Stuart McEntyre, B.A., B.D. Telephone: 985-3409 Rev. Calvin Stone (Stouffville 1-416-640-4006) SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30 9:55 a.m. Morning Service Church School & Nursery During Worship All are welcome For information call 985-3630 PORT PERRY oN PRINCE ALBERT UNITED CHURCH Rev. D. Robert J. LePage, B.A. M. Div. SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30 10:00 a.m. Port Perry 11:30 a.m. Prince Albert Morning Worship & Church School Nursery Care Always Available SCUGOG ISLAND MANCHESTER PASTORAL CHARGE Minister: Elaine Barber 985-4094 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30 Intergenerational Service Scugog Island 9:45 a.m. Manchester 11:15 a.m. No Sunday School BLACKSTOCK-NESTLETON UNITED CHURCHES Rev. Dale Davis Blackstock 10 a.m. North Nestleton 11:15 a.m. Church School & Nursery During Worship EMMANUAL PENTECOSTAL CHURCH Regional Rd. 8 at Simcoe Port Perry, Ontario Rev. David Beesley, Pastor 985-4441 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30 9:45 Christian Education 11:00 a.m. Morning Worship Message - "New Life, New Lifestyle!" 6:30 - Praise Service Message: ""Twas the Night Before Jesus Came" Nursery Care and Children's Church Provided in Both Services "A Church Reaching Out in Love" NESTLETON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Rev. Wm. Fairley - Minister DECEMBER 30 11:00 a.m. Morning Worhsip All welcome BAHA'I FAITH For information about Baha'i meetings & activities please write P.O. Box 1153, Port Perry, Ontario, LIL 1A9 or Call 985-9339 PORT PERRY BAPTIST CHURCH Hwy. 7A & Island Road East of Port Perry 985-8681 Pastor: Rev. David S. Daniels Bible School: Sunday 9:45 a.m. Classes for all ages Worship Services 11:00 a.m. & 6:30 p.m. Nursery & Jr. Church NEW YEAR'S EVE 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Pot-luck Supper & Fellowship Call church for details Wednesday, 7-8:30 p.m. Adult Bible Study & Prayer (No Clubs or Jr. High Youth) A Special Welcome To The Handicapped COLUMBUS UNITED CHURCH A Community Church For All Rev. Jack Griffen, B.A. M.Div. 10:00 a.m. DECEMBER 30 "A New Year & A New Vitality" Welcome to a Community Church for Everyone GREENBANK PASTORAL CHARGE United Church of Canada Rev. David Shepherd, Minister SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30 Services: 9:30 a.m. - Seagrave 9:30 a.m. - Pinedale 11:00 a.m. - Greenbank EMMANUEL FULL GOSPEL FELLOWSHIP Durham Road 23 and 7th Conc. Reverend Timothy Godfrey Pastor ~~ Church: 852-7054 ~~ Residence: 852-5871 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30 9:45 a.m. - Family Bible School 11:00 a.m. - Worship Services 6:00 p.m. - Praise Meeting Tuesday - 9:30 a.m. Ladies Fellowship Wednesday - 7:30 p.m. Prayer & Bible Study Saturday - 7:00 p.m. Youth Group ST. BERNADETTE"S CATHOLIC PARISH SUNDAY MASS 11:30 a.m. Nestleton Community Hall Nestleton Serving Cartwright Township Come On Home Father Tom Lynch 705-932-2712 COMMUNITY CHURCH CAESAREA SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30 9:00 a.m. Guest Speaker: We Welcome You to the Country Church Tues. - 4-5 p.m. Sunshine Club Tues. - 8 p.m. Prayer & Study Rev. Tim Godfrey 852-5871 or 985-7519 HOPE CHURCH A Christian Reformed Fellowship 166 Simcoe Street South Prince Albert, Ontario 985-9679 Song Service: 9:50 a.m. Worship Service 10:00 a.m. Coffee and Fellowship 11:15 a.m. Worship Service: 7:00 p.m. Nursery Provided Nursery & Story Hour Provided Youth Groups Girls 7-14 - Mondays 7-9 p.m. Boys 8-15 - Wednesdays 7-9 p.m. High School Plus Ladies Coffee Break & Children's Story Hour Thurs. Mornings 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Babysitting Available Alternate Sundays - 8:30- 10 p.m. All Are Welcome! ANGLICAN CHURCH The Rev'd Charles E. Buli Incumbent St. John's Church St., Blackstock SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30 9:30 a.m. Christmas Lessons & Carols Church of the Ascension 266 North St., Port Perry SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30 8:00 a.m. Said Eucharist 11:15 a.m. Holy Communion Church School & Nursery TUESDAY, JANUARY 1 The Naming of Jesus 11:00 a.m. Joint Holy Communion