Letter to the Editor

This gift keeps on giving

Friday, September 16, 2011

Editor:

I feel a short introduction is in order for this letter. It was sent to the McCook Humane Society and we felt it was not only of interest to the Shelter, but also to the entire City of McCook. It is remarkable that one Spaniel mix dog, found in the park, has started a long list of gifting. How blessed and thankful we are to have Mr. McCord visit McCook. The dog, by the way, was adopted into a loving home.

Mary Keslin

McCook Humane Society

The letter

Dear Friends,

I recently visited your town to help accomplish my goal this year of running three miles in all 50 states. Might not sound like much, but a year ago I managed to lose 60 pounds in three months and discovered the joy of running. Three miles in each and every state in America is plenty for me. (So far, I've ran in 25 states since this past May.)

One of my friends from Oklahoma, Karla Dillon, came with me and ran with me in McCook and Oberlin, Kansas, (We covered two states that day) but while running in the park near your location, discovered a stray dog. I think it may have been a spaniel mix. It looked dazed and confused and was quite thirsty but was very friendly and had obviously had a good home.

The local police took the animal to your location and we visited later with Karla, who left a donation with you. We hope the dog found its owners or was placed in a good home, but wanted to send a donation as a remembrance of our visit to your community and in thanks for your care not only of this dog but for animals throughout the year.

Since our visit to McCook, I've decided to make a donation to all the towns I run in from the remaining states on my check-off list since that day as I continue on my journey of running in America. It's been a great trip, a chance to see how people live in states I've never visited before. McCook is the only place in Nebraska I've ever visited and I will never forget the beauty of Nebraska.