Keep the faith

Nicola Sturgeon says that EU citizens will always be welcome in Scotland.

I was talking to a Polish gentleman recently. He loves living in Scotland, but is sometimes made to feel unwelcome by the Scottish Government’s hostility towards his values. In particular he finds that, at school, his children are taught to reject many key teachings of his Christian faith.

If the SNP really wants to be welcoming, it needs to show more respect for diversity. The government should encourage newcomers to embrace Scottish identity and culture, but should not seek to force them into the SNP’s mould of secular liberal progressivism.

Richard Lucas, Scottish Family Party, Glasgow

Don’t spook pets

This Halloween, don’t be haunted by a mistake that caused your animal companion to become lost, sick, or hurt. Follow these tips to ensure that All Hallows’ Eve is delightful, not frightful, for animals.

Unattended animals – especially black cats – are easy prey for Halloween tricksters, so keep your companions safe indoors. A constant stream of “ghosts” and “ghouls” at the door can spook animals, so make sure they have access to a secluded room with a TV or radio playing to calm them. Walk dogs early in the day, long before the witching hour, and avoid a cauldron of trouble by making sure they’re microchipped and wearing current ID tags.

Ingredients like chocolate, nuts, raisins, and the artificial sweetener xylitol can be toxic to dogs and cats, so prevent animals from goblin unhealthy treats by keeping them out of reach and warning children and guests not to share sweets with animals. Make sure they can’t get to potentially hazardous decorations like streamers, candles, and lighted pumpkins, either.

Being dressed in costumes can cause animals stress and impair their ability to see, move, and breathe, and small parts can pose a choking hazard. Leave fancy dress to humans and letting cats and dogs be their naturally adorable selves.

Jennifer White, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

Parking raffle

SO, 36 apartments and only 24 parking spaces (Dennistoun development gets green light, October 24). So is it first in gets one or will there be a raffle ?

John Agnew, posted online