Rescued kitten recovering thanks to teen’s generosity

Published 10:00 pm Monday, June 1, 2009

Scott Rink, 15, is one of those good teenagers who folks clamor to read about.

It all started with Scott’s friend, Andrew Montzingo, an assistant supervisor for a YMCA school program. On a drive, Montzingo, an animal lover, noticed a crow pecking at something on side of the road. He pulled over to investigate and discovered that the crow had been harassing a newborn kitten.

He snatched the kitten away from the possessive crow.

About that time Scott, a freshman at Mountlake Terrace High School, came walking along. Montzingo showed him the kitten.

Scott offered to take care of the kitten, named Bono, and rushed it to a veterinarian. He paid the bill with money he earned from mowing lawns.

Scott used more of his money to furnish a kitty hospital at his home, says his proud mother, Taira Rink.

“He’s been getting up to do the 3 a.m. feeding,” Rink says. “We decided as his parents not to repay him for the vet bill because we wanted him to learn the lesson that sometimes doing the right thing has a cost, but that it is often worth it.”

Staff members at Cedar Way Elementary, his old school, donated to Bono’s care and sent cards showing their appreciation.

“They were quite touched that a former student had such a heart.”

The kitten went to school last week with mom, who is the student behavior and volunteer coordinator at Cedar Way. Scott’s father is Gary Rink, community re-entry specialist at Everett Community Justice Center.

The kitten has gained weight, Taira Rink says. His ears have popped up, his eyes have opened and his purr is bigger than he is.

“We’re awfully proud of our son and the choices he made on his own,” she says.

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It’s party time at the Disaster Relief Trailer, but they won’t eat grub stored in the rig.

The semi is loaded with goods to help a community in the throes of a disaster.

We wrote about the emergency rig, prepared by the Everett Fraternal Order of Eagles on April 6. It’s stocked with water, portable toilets, blankets and anything else needed in an emergency.

Bob Nelson is chairman of the program. He says they’re not hoping for disaster, but they are stocked and raring to go in a worst-case scenario with their 53-foot trailer.

The Eagles and the Auxiliary will dedicate the rig at 4 p.m. Sunday at 1216 Broadway. It’s a good time to stop by and ask questions about joining the club, too.

Stay for dinner; $5 a plate. Let them know you would like to attend by calling 425-760-5101.

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Yes kids, there will be some way cool bikes.

(Are kids still saying way cool?)

Anyway, you get my drift.

Choose a refurbished bicycle at a Kids Bike Swap planned for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop, 2531 Broadway in Everett.

Sharing Wheels fixes up all manner of bicycles including, tiny bikes, BMX bikes, mountain and road bikes, giant bikes and even chopper-style bikes says Geoffrey Crofoot, Executive Director of the program.

“Of course, the Kids Bike Swap tends to focus on sizes appropriate for the smaller child to young adult,” he says. “Even within that size range, we have a great selection of bicycles to choose from, thanks to the generous donations of Snohomish County residents.”

Trade in a poorly sized or out-grown model for a restored, properly sized bicycle. The cost to the child or family is little or nothing, he says.

Crofoot assured us there are groovy bikes, too. Forgive us, children, if you don’t understand that lingo.

And parents, they need volunteers for the event and folks to help fix up bikes in the shop.

For more information, call 425-252-6952.

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Reality TV shows don’t have to mess around with picky little things such as spell-check. Thursday night’s installment of “So You Think You Can Dance?” showed contestant auditions in Seattle. As one lovely woman began her dance routine, a caption helpfully informed viewers that she was from “Millcreek.”

Kristi O’Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com.