Sad News of Oscar and Opal

Oscar

Oscar with Charlotte and Bethanne (rear, on pillow)

Oscar and Zachery

Margaret and I have shed a lot of tears  today.   We lost a true gentleman and companion this afternoon, one whom will be missed by many.   He captured the heart of everyone that met him and was asked after more than anyone else in the pack.  It didn't seem to matter whether people were dog people or not.  Everyone loved Oscar.  He just plain had charisma and a certain style that drew  men, women and children to him.  He was one of those guys everyone clamored to love.  And he basked in it, yet, all the while he remained humble.  Always a quiet, laid back fellow, he did not intrude, but shined bright. We will miss Ozzie.
 Please remember Margaret in your thoughts and prayers as her little ones are her family and she has cared for them for many years now.  I am afraid she faces more loss as her babies are all becoming very old now.

OMG!  Margaret just came down to tell me Opal, her parakeet has died!  She has had Opal for several years.  I bought him for her in Raleigh at the Raleigh Bird Show.  She placed him in with Oscar.  Sweet dreams to Opal.  We will miss her morning and evening song, and, I know, her chatter with Margaret will not be able to be replaced.  Poor sister has lost another of her beloved pets!  I am afraid my pictures of Opal are on my other computer so I will have to post it later.   

AREN''T YOU DEAD YET ?

I worked in the health care field for 30 years, in pathology, no less. My profession did not shape my attitude toward death and dying. I came into health care because of, and with, my belief in man's worth and dignity, both in life and in death. But, these things must be taught when we are young.

People need to be made aware of the choices they have in their way to die. Death not by assisted suicide, or by death panel decision, but, with compassionate care and an easing into the inevitable, with or without extraordinary means.
You should have a living will, and have it in hand, when you have that attack or accident that leaves you lingering between two worlds. Living will, death panel, whatever..once you are placed on an artificial means of life support you will not be removed until you have been dead for some time. My advice is, don't let anyone put you on a ventilator unless you know there is hope of ' a life ' after you are weaned off of of it.
As for 'death panels', they have always been around, they are called, "Doctor". And, they do a darned good job ( with love and compassion ) when their hands are not tied by insurance companies, hospital administration, and government!
These proposed death panels are straight from hell and should be fought tooth and nail. The government already kills and sanctions killing in and out hospitals everyday. I am speaking of both in and out patients under a physician's care.
By the way, I was a lowly tech. I am not a physician or a pathologist.
My advice is talk to your doctor, carry your living will at all times, and as long as you have breath fight against any more help in dieing!

note:  this was written in response to a post on http://murrbrewster.blogspot.com/