To the editor:

Look before you leap. That’s my advice to those eager to turn “Smiley” the dog into their very own Terry Schiavo. Their scurrilous legal actions only diminish WAIF’s ability to do its job of helping homeless animals.

Without WAIF, Island County’s homeless animals would face far worse conditions at whatever kind of facility our financially-strapped county government would have to cobble together. The very thought makes this dog lover cringe.

It is clear that times are about to get a lot tougher for all, animals included. I urge every reasonable citizen to lend support, both philosophical and financial, to WAIF in its mission.

Kirk Francis

Langley