Hospice program covers pets

It’s fitting during the dog days of summer that Kris Kington-Barker, executive director of Hospice San Luis Obispo, should let us know about that fine organization’s Pet Peace of Mind program.

In a nutshell, Hospice SLO partnered with the Banfield Charitable Trust in having Hospice volunteers take care of pets — dogs and cats — for those completing life’s journey. The program “meets spiritual and emotional needs” of both the Hospice client and the pet, says Kris.

Care for pets of those no longer able to provide it includes walks, help with pet food and vet visits, grooming, boarding and whatever else helps all involved feel comfortable. Vets, grooming services and Cloud Star — a terrific local business that fills the need for healthy pet food — are all joining volunteers in the program. But it can always use more help, in both volunteers and finances.

Contact Holly Todd at 544-2266 or email hospiceslo@hospiceslo.org. It’s a good program; one that gives pets as well as their owners huge amounts of comfort. In short, it’s a good thing, a very good thing.

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Speaking of good things, Dr. Ahmad Nooristani (chronicled previously in this space) is having a fundraiser for his nonprofit Noor Foundation this Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. at MoTav in San Luis.

Dr. Nooristani has been working on opening a free clinic in San Luis Obispo — yes, free, as in no cost. Although volunteers have stepped up to oversee everything from bookkeeping to medical procedures, $26,000 is needed for a license to retrofit the clinic, which includes mandated changes in the heating and ventilation system.

The fundraiser at MoTav is $25, but if you can’t make it and believe in his mission, email him at drnooristani@gmail.com or slonoorfoundation@gmail.com for info on the free clinic and how to donate.

Those who have contributed to the effort so far include Allied Pharmaceutical, Angelo’s ATV Rentals, Best Care Pharmacy, Cenegenics, Compass Health, Dana Nelson’s Healthplus Pharmacy, French Hospital Medical Center, I Care International, MoTav, OGI, Pacific Eye SCOJO, Sierra Vista Medical Center and dozens of huge-hearted donors.

On behalf of Dr. Nooristani and those who will benefit from your thoughtfulness, thank you.

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On a different note, think today’s political candidates are having problems with language, syntax and context? A reader reminds us that it was Vice President Dan Quayle who once noted, “I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix.” Or Vice President Al Gore who said at one time: “It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment. It’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.”

I bring these comments to light to help illustrate this profession’s wizardry with words. Pamela Lee, creative director for Web Feet Image Management in San Luis, sent in these headlines from various newspapers. Draw your own conclusions:

“Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says,” “Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers,” “Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over,” “Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant,” “War Dims Hope for Peace,” “If Strike Isn’t Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile,” “Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures,” “Kids Make Nutritious Snacks” and “Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft.”

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On the topic of words, in last week’s intemperate screed about vandalism, I recalled a third-grade incident of breaking a car windshield after dropping a rock through the slats of the railroad trestle that spans Monterey Street in San Luis. I unfairly implicated my old best friend Ricky Mugler in the caper.

A lawyer in Palo Alto, Rick wrote in response — with absolutely no menace (I hope): “Three things: 1) I believe we were in second grade and it was my birthday; 2) Agree that our understanding of Newtonian physics was flawed, and 3) It was your idea! (Don’t deny it!) Not the first time you got me in trouble, either. Now my name will be all over this thing they call the World Wide Web … Your old friend, Rick (‘Ricky’).”

I’m sooooo busted.

Bill Morem can be contacted at bmorem@thetribunenews.com or at 781-7852.