Reader thanks retired Judge Burnett

Some people go out of their way to help others on a given day. Many fewer do so over the course of their life.

A reader wished to add a comment about retired Judge Gilbert H. Burnett, a winner of a 2017 StarNews Lifetime Achievement Award.

"Thanks for the great comments regarding Judge (Gilbert) Burnett on his well deserved award by your paper," wrote Mary Kelly. "I had the opportunity to work with him before my retirement from Southeastern Mental Health Center; I can assure you that your assessment of his work in our community is very honest and thorough.

"Judge Burnett gave his time, ideas and care for the people who appeared in his courtroom.

"He was asked by the court in Raleigh to address why many of his cases were not being completed in a timely fashion. Judge Burnett, through innovative thinking, had a vision that treatment options are a more productive alternative and smarter use of the courts’ time.

"The Raleigh court embraced and encouraged other counties to mirror the success. Of course, not all referrals are successful but many people did respond and had the opportunity to learn how to live free of alcohol/drug addiction and become contributing members of our community.

"The savings in terms of money, family problems, work and medical problems cannot be counted. It is very appropriate that he be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award, for his own life and for those who have a meaningful life now as the result of his work and dedication."

Lost and found

The Associated Press reported the following long distance lost-and-found story earlier this month out of Freeport, New York.

A dog that disappeared in Florida in February 2016 has been found in New York.

A woman who said she found the German shepherd-Jack Russell terrier mix brought it last week to a Long Island and New York City rescue group called Bobbi and The Strays, which traced its microchip and tracked down its astonished family in West Palm Beach, Florida.

"I had said many times, 'They're going to find that dog. They may not find that dog alive, but somehow, some way, they're going to find the chip on that dog and they're going to be calling us,'" Rick Moneck told The Associated Press in a phone call on Saturday. Nonetheless, the news came as quite the shock.

"I never, ever expected — you know, we kind of gave up on it," said Moneck. "After this much time had gone by, you just move on with your life."

Moneck told Newsday, which first reported the story, that his family adopted the "beautiful" and "well-behaved" dog, named Relay, as a puppy in 2014.

One day, Relay set off to explore.

"I think she's a wanderer," Moneck told the AP. "And I think she was just an opportunist dog and happened to see that she could fit underneath the gate."

The family scoured the area and put up fliers.

"The lady in the gas station said she saw a man call the dog over and walk away with the dog," Moneck said. A blurry video appeared to show a man putting Relay into his car.

In addition to the chip, Moneck said, Relay had left home wearing "a brand new collar, a leather collar, with her name in brass" — and his son's name, address and phone number.

However the dog got to New York, it's about to experience some more mileage.

Bobbi and The Strays were looking for a volunteer to drive Relay to Florida.

Moneck told Newsday it's "unbelievable" that his family will be reunited with the "dog that we loved so much."

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