Puggle problem
I am writing to express my sincere disappointment in your full-page story … on Puggles. (“Call it puggle love,” Dec. 20) These dogs are mutts, plain and simple.
I understand that no matter what, there will always be a certain number of people who are dead set on buying a dog from a breeder because they like the look or personality of a purebred. However, when you mix breeds to follow a trend and make a buck, you are not guaranteeing either of these breeds’ attributes. The only thing you are guaranteeing is the increase in pet overpopulation and in irresponsible pet ownership.
Next time you decide to print an article promoting designer mutts, try telling the 24,000 adoptable pets at Chicago shelters that the reason they are being put to sleep this year is because a family decided to go with a trendier mixed breed.
–Nina Chiotasso, 23, Wicker Park
Hooray for happy buses
I just read your article in today’s RedEye newspaper titled, “Happy, singing buses make CTA bearable.” (Dec. 20 column by Kyra Kyles) It was a wonderful article that spoke about two bus drivers who make riding the bus more enjoyable due to their lively personalities.
As I was reading, I anticipated the part of the article where you mentioned a notable former bus driver called “The Happy Bus Driver.” The Happy Bus Driver is now retired, but drove the CTA for many, many years … he is now 80 years old. This man is my grandfather, and around the area where he resides–Near West Side–he is very well-known as The Happy Bus Driver. Over the years, he has received much recognition for his over-the-top happiness … not only while driving the CTA but also outside of work. [Since I]–and a host of others around the community–deem my grandfather as the original “Happy Bus Driver,” it would have been nice to hear his name mentioned along with the other notables. By the way, his name is Cleven Wardlow.
–Tiffany L. Johnson, 25, Southwest Side
QB always a controversy
While you and your staff (and many Bears fans) seem to be ecstatic about the return of Rex Grossman (“Super Bowl shuffle?” Dec. 20), I’d like to offer a little cautionary tale that you and your readers might be too young to remember.
In 1986, there was a team in Chicago that had a killer defense but an injured quarterback [Jim McMahon]. The backup [Mike Tomczak] was a capable QB who suffered because he was neither the injured starter nor a Pro Bowler. But the team won–a lot. It won nearly every week despite constant mediocre QB play and constant badgering from the media who wanted someone–anyone–who could do better. It was said that anyone could be QB with this team’s defense. So eventually, the coach brought in someone to take over at QB [Doug Flutie], and the fans loved it despite the controversy it created. Then the new quarterback started his team’s most important game of the season, the first round of the playoffs, at home. The team was routed, and the promise of a dynasty faded because the team couldn’t decide whom it wanted at quarterback.
I’m not saying it’s going to happen again, but while I’m not looking for the Bears to lose, I’d say a football team is a fragile thing. Maybe Rex Grossman is the right guy, maybe he’s not. It’s hard to argue for Kyle Orton, except when one looks at one thing–the win-loss record. Sure, the defense has led the team, but the way I see it, there are a lot of Pro Bowlers out there whose teams aren’t 10-4. The truth will come out when it matters, in the playoffs.
–Will Christensen, 41, Ravenswood
