I have been going through a difficult time in my life, but growing up and living in a small community like Squamish has been such an asset. I have had three different incidents where this was shown.
I needed an evaluation of my house for my separation agreement with my divorce. I went to Mike Carney, who is a realtor and from Carney’s Waste Systems, and explained what I needed. He put together exactly what I needed, and when I tried to pay him for it, he wouldn’t accept it.
I rely on my bike for transportation because I don’t drive, and one day found it with the tire slashed. I went to Tantalus Bike Shop, where the fellow quoted $50. When I went to pick up the bike after it was repaired, the owner Al Ross served me. Al and I had grown up in the same neighbourhood in Squamish. We caught up on life and then when I went to pay him for the bill, he only charged me $25, which covered the parts only.
Recently, my bulldog, Archie, was very sick with aspiration pneumonia. I took him to the veterinarian and was sent home with antibiotics. Archie had very laboured breathing through the night, so I called the veterinary clinic to book another appointment because I thought that he needed to be put down. I had a horrible day thinking that I’d lose my beloved Archie, then went in for the appointment. The vet met with me and thought that I should have a second opinion from one of the other vets. She got the owner of the Eagleview Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Melanie Armstrong, to take a look at Archie. Dr. Armstrong was Archie’s regular vet, which made me feel better too. Dr. Armstrong thought that it was aspiration pneumonia too and that the medication needed time to take effect. She also thought that he needed a combination of steroids to open his airways to help him breathe. What a relief this was for me. When the visit was done we hugged and we were both crying.
What a difference this made for Archie, and he has totally recovered now. Dr. Armstrong didn’t charge for the second visit plus gave me her personal cell phone number for the long weekend in case of emergency.
Here are three business owners who went out of their way for me during my difficult time. I’m so proud to have grown up here and be still part of such a caring community.
Suzanne Kirkman
Squamish
