My husband and I were returning from West Virginia with our daughter's dog, a schnauzer, Heidi, who is blind. We stopped at a rest area, near the dog walk section.

My husband got Heidi's leash from the trunk, and I got her out of the back seat while he went to the rest room. I noticed one lady who had two very large dogs, mastiffs, walking past our car on leashes.

I stayed between the closely parked cars until they were well past us, with Heidi behind me. However, the dogs must have sensed us, and came barreling back to us. The lady had no control over the dogs, so they jumped me and knocked me to the ground.

There was no room for me to put my arms down to break my fall, and there was an immediate response from fellow parkers. One man got a leash from the lady and pulled one dog off me. She pulled the other dog off me.

Several men tried to pull at my hands to help me up, to no avail. Finally, one man got behind me and the three of them got me to my feet, unhurt. Another man offered his cell phone to call EMS, which I did not need.

The dogs' owner deposited the dogs in her car and came back to see if I was all right. She ran her hands up and down my legs, arms, back and head, to be sure. The lady who was parked next to us did the same thing and topped it with a hug.

They asked if I was driving alone and I told them my husband was with me, and I was fine. By that time my husband was back and missed all the excitement. I was badly scared but had no ill effects the next day.

MARIAN LE DONNE

Finleyville

This may not seem like much to most people, but to us it qualifies!

One recent night when a cold front and high winds roared through Ross, we lost our garbage can and recycling bucket. To replace both, we probably would have spent $40 to $50.

We looked all around and couldn't find either one. However, someone did! We had our house number on both, and Saturday morning when I went out to warm up the car (to go purchase a new can) they were both back beside our driveway.

No clue who did it, but we want to thank them for taking the time in the cold to drag them from wherever they wound up. We have very wonderful neighbors all around us.

KATHY SKALOS

Ross

My daughter and I had tickets for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Mellon Arena, and we had arranged for a ride from my other daughter because it would be hard for me to walk up to the parking lot. I have two artificial hips and two artificial knees that make walking up and down steps without a railing difficult.

The show was not over when it was time to go out to meet our ride. We had to make the people in the aisle seats stand to let us out. My daughter was helping me, but the kind gentleman on the end seat took my arm and walked me up to the main floor.

I told him thanks but wanted to let him know he was a Christmas angel, and I wish him and his family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

JOSEPHINE MCMANUS

Stanton Heights

W hen I had minor surgery at St. Clair Hospital, I had a truly extraordinary experience during my short stay.

Following surgery, I shared a room with Paula, a wonderful woman who was recovering from her surgical procedure. Paula's two daughters came to visit, which prompted me to say how wonderful it is to have children who live nearby, as mine live out of state.

At one point Paula's daughters left the room and came back bearing gifts for their mother ... and for me, a stranger, who did not even know their names. Their generosity and kindness touched me deeply.

I want to thank Paula and her special angel daughters, Ashley and Danielle, and let them know how much their gift touched my heart. They are the true spirit of this season, and the embodiment of the friendly city of Pittsburgh.

JUDY RISHER

McMurray

First Published: December 31, 2009, 5:00 a.m.