A BUNDLE OF FUR

            Everyone who has a pet knows the joy they bring into your life. The time spent with these special friends is priceless and the bond that connects can’t help but pull at your heart strings. But over time our special friend’s age and their health declines to the point that they begin to suffer. Finally you are confronted to make the awful decision if it is time to make a final visit to the vet. This is probably one of the most excruciatingly painful experiences anyone can face.

            Toby was my “better half’s” constant companion for 15 years. He was always by her side and gave nothing but unconditional loyalty and love. When walking him people would stop and pet him and say how cute he was. Then, invariably, they would ask his breed. Our stock answer was “… he’s Corgi on the bottom and handsome stranger on top.” And it was the truth. He was the sweetest little guy who never once in his life barked! But then the final day came and an incredible emptiness and sorrow entered into our lives.

            We swore we would never own another dog—Toby was it! The pain of separation was too much to ever endure again.

            About two months passed when I got a call on my cel phone. It was my “better half.” “Hey,” she greeted me, “…I’m on the computer and looking at some little pups and they are adorable,” she said. So the hook was set! But before making a decision we called our son who is a breeder of standard poodles, groomer, trainer, dog show judge and author of a published dog book, “How Much is That Doggie in the Window.”

“Heck, if you and mom want a pup I can get you anything you want,” he said. We thought about it and decided we wanted a “pure bred” alright but the breed we wanted was a “pure bred mutt.” And that is how Jake came into our lives.

            He was only about five months old when he was running wild around San Diego, California fields. Trying to catch him was an adventure in itself we were told, but finally he was caught and placed in a “kill” shelter awaiting the inevitable. But a small miracle occurred. Someone from a rescue shelter came across him and took him to a safe home operated by Maria Brunetto for placement.

Soon after my “better half” was again on the computer and contacted the shelter. She saw one little pup that might fill the bill, she thought, but after talking with Maria she was advised to take this little floppy ear ball of fur who now runs our lives and house. It turned out that this little guy was the worse of two breeds Havanese and poodle and weighed in at 18 pounds. The reason I say he is the “worse of two breeds” is because the Havanese is noted for stubbornness and strong will. The poodle is noted for high intelligence so when you match the two together-- well, you know what I mean!

            It took four days to ship him by van to our home. Those four days were spent cooped in a cage along with other dogs being delivered to their new “forever homes.” As a consequence whenever we drive Jake finds it necessary to stand between my “better half” and myself as we drive. He doesn’t just stand there however; he places his two front legs on my right arm to look out the front window. I am sure passerby’s wonder which one of us is driving!

            The first three days in his new home was one of exploration. He was terrified when we first got him and when Kathleen held him in her arms for the first time he was shivering and frightened not knowing what to expect. Yet he never whimpered a bit. But after a few days—and exploring his new surroundings he settled in. After a month he was becoming a “mom and dad’s boy.” But even after a few months later he remained shy of people. Anyone trying to pet him he would back away and cower behind us. The reason, our son thinks, is because of his experience running wild and people trying to catch him. But now a year has passed and he is slowly letting strangers come near but he still won’t let them pet him.

            Watching him sleep is hilarious. He will be in his bed or sleeping at our feet or on the sofa and he will begin to softly bark and growl. Whatever puppy dreams he is having are surely something only a dog psychiatrist could explain. When awake he never barks but if he wants your attention—especially for a taste of dinner or to play—he will sit at our feet and let out a soft growl and stare you down until you respond.

            So now after the passage of over a year he is more than part of the family. After losing Toby we thought the hole that was left in our hearts could never be filled. And it is true; Toby can never be replaced but the hurt is replaced by the love and joy that this little floppy ear ball of fur has brought. He is not a replacement but rather a new happiness that only Jake can fill.

GIFTED HANDS

           

            As a newspaperman I have had the unique opportunity to meet and write about people in various fields including presidential candidates, governors, senators, congressmen, astronauts and just ordinary people who affected our lives in so many ways. But one gifted person made a personal imprint. His name is Dr. Cary S. Kaufman, MD FACS.

            We live near Bellingham, Washington State. The community sports little industry but is home to Western Washington State University, a large shopping mall and scattered businesses and small manufacturing companies. All in all the population consists of about 50,000 and is surrounded by beautiful mountains and islands including the 15,000 foot snow-capped Mount Baker.

            Bellingham sits on the edge of Bellingham Bay. The islands are home to folks who love to live their own way of life and for them a visit to the “big city” is usually only to buy provisions. You wouldn’t think that this small town (in comparison to Seattle a major city some 90 miles to the south) would be home to one of the nations most renowned breast cancer surgeons. Perhaps it is because of the beauty and serenity of our area that attracted this uniquely skilled physician. Regardless, welcome Dr. Kaufman.

            According to his staff personnel and colleagues, he is one of the best of the best specializing only on breast cancer surgery. His services take him from the west coast to Europe. He is a renowned lecturer and a prolific writer specializing on his specific facet of work.

            A quiet, gentle man with an infectious smile he exudes confidence and trust. And for someone who has need of his skill these are special benefits. I should know—my better half had such a need recently.

            It was supposed to be an annual mammogram and honestly she wasn’t thrilled with taking the time to go in for the examination. But her doctor pressured her into going in and “getting it over with!” So, reluctantly, she obeyed.

            About a week later she got a call from her doctor’s office. They said that the film was clouded and if she wouldn’t come in and have another ex-ray. Annoyed, she did so. About another week went by and she received another call. This time they wanted her to come in for a biopsy. Now little bells started to ring.

            A few days later her doctor called and asked her to come in—she had some information she wanted to share with her. This was on a Friday and the weekend went by slowly. On Monday my wife went in and was told the news that the mammogram revealed two small tumors and the biopsy indicated cancer.

            That’s when we met Dr. Kaufman. Our first visit was short as he advised us of the situation. Both tumors, he said, was in its early stages and one was benign. The other, however, needed attention. Looking at the film you could see a small white object—about the size of a dime—seemingly floating in its own heaven. It looked so innocuous yet it could easily turn to a more horrific result. So, surgery was scheduled for the following week.

            As for the benign tumor it should be removed at the same time as removing the cancerous one the doctor advised. “This way we won’t have to go back three or four years later if needed,” he explained. As for the malignant cell he described what he intended to do.

            “Picture an egg,” he said. “The yellow yoke is the cancer and is surrounded by white material. What we want to do is take out all of the white matter (which houses the cancer).” By doing this he will not actually see the cancer since it would be encased in the white substance. “If I see the cancer then I didn’t do my job!” he said with a smile. To make sure all cancerous material that was removed was sent to a laboratory for a more in-depth examination.

            Incredibly Kathleen didn’t need to be hospitalized. The operation was done in an out-patient clinic and lasted for about 70 minutes. While she was in recovery Dr. Kaufman came out to the waiting room all smiles. Everything went along perfectly he said. There were no surprises and the prognoses are excellent he said. In fact she may not even require radiation treatment. “As soon as she recovers you can take her home,” he said shaking my hand.

            It has now been a week since the surgery. Other than pain from the incisions she is doing remarkably well. For now, with rest and limited arm movement on the right side, she will continue to heal. You wouldn’t think such a major operation had been done.

            To think that just a few years ago such an operation wasn’t in the offering. Those were the times when breast cancer was a ticket to the graveyard. But as medicine advanced and new techniques were developed successful operations are nearly routine. But that is only in the case of early detection.

            Many of these techniques were developed by this gifted surgeon. It is his passion. And as far as time off is concerned everyone wonders when he does so. He sees patients during the weekend—even on Sundays.

            So, given a scare like no other you can bet my better half will make sure to have an annual mammogram as well as for our female readers should do as well.

            Thank you Dr. Kaufman for an outstanding job. We will be forever grateful.

HEAVEN HELP US!

            If anyone can make sense of what is happening in all of the presidential campaigns please let us know!

            On one side you have Hilary Clinton who is anxiously awaiting the possible indictment for criminal charges regarding her email escapades and an admitted socialist whose greatest wish is to change the United States into another Greece (which is bankrupt), and on the other side a narcissistic egocentric billionaire blowhard who has the morals of an ally tomcat, whose claim is he has a lot of money and can make deals!

            Then there are other candidates who are blemished with the title of being part of the “establishment.” As a consequence they are considered the enemy of the people and part of the “good ol’ boy club” who has made political life a source of handsome paychecks and power.

            And there are many who fall into this category.

And finally there are the last of the group in political theater—the American voter.

Unfortunately there appears no one more inept and ignorant than those who cast votes. They seem unfamiliar with what is subjective and what is objective. Rather than rely on the history of the candidate the voter considers more about how they part their hair, if they smile a lot or if they can make more unattainable promises than the other guy they are running against. They will simply vote for the person who appeals to their emotions rather than their reason.

That’s the difference between subjective and objective.

If one were to take their vote seriously and consider the facts of where our nation is heading then a lot of these folks seeking office would be weeded out at the beginning. But that isn’t the case. Politicians have the uncanny ability to sell refrigerators to Eskimos and Condo time shares to jailed convicts. The old joke is a politician arrives in Washington D.C. in a 1977 Chevrolet station wagon and leaves after their term in a new Cadillac. In addition when they arrived they were nearly broke but after retirement most leave with millions in their bank accounts.

By the way, they also make the laws of the country.

But do all political servants meet the above standards? Fortunately, no. There are some reputable honest people who do not fall into the corrupt category. They do believe in America’s greatness and are fighting desperately to regain what has been lost. But to do so they will need to go a long, long way back.

As an example; you have the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The only difference between the two is that the Republican Party is exactly what the Democratic Party was 50 years ago. The American Constitution is now interrupted to be a “living document,” and this has resulted in changing our beliefs regarding, philosophy, traditions, morals and appetites for hedonistic pleasures upside down. What was once judged “wrong” is now “right” and vis-a- versa.

Simply put; error now has equal rights as truth no matter what your conscience dictates. As Barak Obama joyfully proclaimed, “…American is not a Christian nation.”

It’s insane.

Watching the republican debates a few days ago I was embarrassed at the performance between Donald Trump and Marco Rubio. The disgusting usage of vulgar innuendos, the bullying and child-like actions seemed things that you would expect out of the mouths of a third-grader! The difference is, as a parent, you would take that kid, swat him on his behind and send him to bed without supper! But in the political arena it’s all considered the name of the game. Issues apparently are not as important to debate as discrediting of the other person. Today it is understandable why only about half of the American people bother to vote. The pickings are slim. You seem no longer to be voting for someone but rather who you are voting against.

There was a book published some 75 years ago titled, “The Great Game of Politics.” The only thing that book has in common with today's practice of politics is the title.

Will the American people finally wake up? The way things are going this writer has little hope. Over the past 100 years we as a nation has progressively leaned towards the idea that government is designed to take care of us from birth to death. The idea today seems that government owes us! That we are entitled to benefits rather than having to work for them.

Government is the great womb and as its children we need to be cared for in all our decisions ranging from religion, work, education and a host of other things. Gone are the days when a person could seek their own rewards by the sweat of their own brow. We now have laws to prohibit such nonsense.

And that is the job of the politician. Make laws!

Meanwhile the average voter will sit back, scan the sports page, turn on the television and get briefed on how they should respond to all the propaganda spewed on their screen. It’s now all entertainment. It’s easy; you don’t need a brain.