scene of the tragedy at hand, I feel compelled to mention the irresponsible nature of those ill-mannered citizens that impeded their travel thereto. Let us not forget that on Sept. 11, 2001, hundreds of firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel selflessly ran toward extreme danger to save lives, regardless of the impact to their own safety. In the spirit of true patriotism, the day after the attacks brought an unprecedented wave of nationwide and global solidarity, turning grief into collective action, volunteerism and mutual support. Sept. 11 is now officially recognized in the United States as Patriot Day or National Day of Service and Remembrance, encouraging people to honor victims through charitable acts and community building. Could we all please agree that pulling over for first responders is the least of those aforementioned duties? Consider this: what if you or a loved one were in crisis? What if you, heaven forbid, found yourself in dire straits and in need of first responder assistance? Would you hope your fellow citizens would feel compelled to yield the right of way to the emergency crews coming to your aid? Of course you would! Not only do we need to pull over when we happen upon emergency vehicles approaching, but also, we need to show love and support for the first responders that keep us safe on a daily basis. Perhaps we could also show love and support to the valiant first responders of 9/11 by honoring their ultimate sacrifice and remembering the 343 firefighters and 71 law enforcement officers who were lost that day on their way to rescue and recover victims. Twenty-five years later, 9/11 is more than a memory. It remains in our hearts and in our minds as a solemn reminder of human resilience, the fragile nature of life and the unmistakable courage of our first responders. Certainly, when we consider all that has been lost, and more importantly all of the potential goodness that is to come, we can pull over for our everyday heroes who are merely trying to do their jobs. Never forget. 22 TO BE FRANK Be a good human: Respect our first responders -FRANK A Pet of the Month: Kiwi By Allyah Harrar Some dogs are content to spend the day curled up on the couch, but that’s not how Kiwi rolls. She’d much rather know when the next adventure starts. This gorgeous 60-pound red heeler mix recently turned 7, and for the past four years, she has been her owner’s constant companion. “She is always up for an adventure,” her owner, Paula, said. “Her ideal way to spend the day is wherever I am!” They enjoy all sorts of activities, from jogging and bike rides to paddleboarding trips and dinners at pet-friendly restaurant patios. You name it, Kiwi wants in. That thirst for adventure comes naturally to Kiwi, who has what Paula calls “100% heeler personality.” For example, she loves to circle other dogs and show off her herding instincts, especially when they’re smaller than she is. Around bigger dogs, she’s a little more cautious, but she’s always ready to jump back into the action once she feels comfortable. When it comes to people though, all that goes out the window. Kiwi has no such reservations. She loves everyone and is always looking to make new friends wherever she goes. That amiable nature also makes her an excellent shop dog. Kiwi gets to go to work with Paula every day, although if she had any say in the matter, she’d probably trade the shop for the beach. That’s where Kiwi really shines. Paddleboarding is one of her favorite activities, and she and Paula have spent plenty of time exploring the Lowcountry from the water. Kiwi rides along on the board, taking in the scenery before hopping off whenever they reach a spot where she can explore. Whenever there’s another adventure a short swim away, she’s on it. I would like to think Kiwi believes she’s telling Paula, “Something cool is over here!” as if Paula wasn’t the one paddling them to that location in the first place. Kiwi does have a few quirks that keep Paula laughing. For one, she does not like having her feet touched. Pat them and she jumps like she has just stepped on something in the ocean. It’s just one of those things that makes Kiwi, well ... Kiwi. Like most of us, after a day outside, Kiwi is happy to have some space of her own. She isn’t much of a lap dog, but she likes to stay close by. If Kiwi had her way, she and Paula would spend even more time outside. Paula joked that Kiwi is ready for them both to retire early so they can more fully commit to playing and exploring together. Until then, Kiwi will happily take every beach trip, paddleboard ride and adventure she can get. To nominate your pet for Pet of the Month, please e-mail editor@islandvibesIOP.com. To be frank, humans continually confuse me, especially when it comes to respecting our first responders. I, for one, carry and exude the utmost respect for local law enforcement, firefighters and every single first responding entity. Apparently, I am not in the majority. On a recent afternoon, my human and I were traversing home via Palm Boulevard when we happened to hear a multitude of sirens approaching behind our vehicle. Ever the dutiful civil servant, my human pulled over and off to the right, obediently hugging the shoulder of the road. While we waited for the approaching fire truck to pass us, no less than three vehicles zoomed around our pulled-over selves and continued about their ways. Dear reader, I was stunned, nay, flabbergasted at this unfortunate development. While the fire engine did manage to proceed around us and ultimately navigated the boulevard to arrive at the PEOPLE & PETS
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjcyNTM1