Softest dogs you could ever meet

Firstly, my four dogs, not, incidentally, all black. Sadly, some people will always be convinced that anything larger than a toy poodle is dangerous and nothing will persuade them otherwise.

My dogs are all rescue dogs and I am proud to say that all four have the loveliest temperaments I could wish for.

One of my older dogs, a dobermann/rottweiller cross, probably does look fierce. For this you can thank the idiot who cropped his ears for him in an attempt to make him look vicious.

My dog didn’t want this done, I’m sure; he would much prefer the natural “softer” look he was born with. He also wouldn’t have to suffer the rain getting into his ears, or the extreme cold he suffers with his ears because the blood circulation has been badly impaired.

I could easily introduce you to more than a dozen local dog owners who do allow their dogs to socialise, run around and have fun.

None of them keeps their dogs perpetually on the end of a lead, considering it cruel.

Imagine, never being allowed to run about!

As for dog poo, not only do I conscientiously clear up behind my own dogs, I also clear up at least a dozen piles a day from other dogs. The council dog warden is aware of this and supplies me with bags.

I also litter-pick constantly. You name it, I’ve cleared it.

I have been through no fewer than eight litter-picking sticks over the seven years I’ve lived here, all at my own expense, around £20 a time.

I keep East Green clean, frequently clear the beach from the river to opposite the sports centre, Mewsbrook and several streets around my home.

I do the same when I go further afield and recycle as much as I can.

Unbelievably, I also keep Lobs Wood litter-free.

The rubbish I have collected over the years would fill several lorries.

So, L. Moore, I am doing something constructive about these problems.

I could make all kinds of assumptions about your qualifications as a good citizen.

I won’t, though I have to say you are obviously ageist.

I am actually 60, so being that old I shall no doubt have died and be out of your hair in no time.

If I do look older than my years, it could well be that clearing up behind the slobs in this town several times a day for seven years has aged me somewhat.

So, kind person, if you should see me and my dogs about, come and say hello.

Find out what my dogs are really like before you publicly pre-judge them.

Jerry Forbes

Granville Road

Littlehampton

Editor’s note: we have had further letters praising Mr Forbes’ efforts, in a similar vein to those published last week.

Thanks for all the contributions.