Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

NEIGHBOURLINESS

Earlier this week we lost our dog, a miniature wire-haired dachshund, just about the smallest dog you can get, who for the first time seemed to penetrate our perimeter fences. We threw ourselves into a frenzy of activity, hunting the nearby streets and park, pouncing on unsuspecting youngsters to leave messages. We were about to start putting up “lost dog” posters when we finally got through to Crownhill police station (thereby hangs another tale). Yes they had a small scruffy looking thing answering Archie’s description. Sure enough it was he, and he returned in the car, a little shell-shocked, but none the worse for his adventure. Micro-chipping beckons.

A lady and her daughter had found him on the road and after making exhaustive enquiries had taken him all of the way from Plympton up to the police station at Crownhill to hand him in. I rang to thank her later; she was just relieved that Archie had been restored. It meant a great deal to us, this act of kind neighbourliness.

The press is so full of nasty news that we sometimes forget that only a small minority behave consistently badly. Most people fully embrace their responsibility to the wider community.
The real bonus is, if you help somebody else, you feel better about yourself. On the very few occasions when I have helped somebody “beyond the call of duty” I have felt really positive for days. I remember the red-faced youngster who approached me at Victoria station some years ago asking for help. He had lost his wallet and had no money to get home. Could I lend him the (whatever it was) give me his name and his dad would reimburse me. I believed him. No, I said and marched him to the ticket office and bought him a ticket and refused to give my name and sent him on his way, thinking one day someone might do this for my kids if they get stuck.
He got home safe and sound (I hope) but I was the real beneficiary. Not for nothing does the scout’s code include those famous words: do a good deed every day. It is an important part of finding happiness.

Good neighbourliness is still alive and kicking. People hand in lost wallets, look in on their elderly neighbours and give a helping hand all the time. Long may it continue. And, Mrs Metters, thank you once again for your kindness.

posted by Nigel on Monday, September 17, 2007