Mortalitas

“He died doing what he loved best and left this world in a happy and peaceful state of mind. He would have said, ’Crocs Rule!”’
-John Stainton, as quoted by MSNBC
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14663786/?GT1=8506

Big news: The Crocodile Hunter is dead. Stingray barb to the heart. Mean though it is to say it, I have to: Is anyone surprised that he was killed by wildlife? After all those moments of him holding a vastly toxic snake by the tail, or wrestling a crocodile, etc. you kind of figure it was bound to happen sooner or later, don't you? All the same, I have to admit he did a lot of good things for nature, and he ultimately was a pretty admirable man in many ways (though I don't count common sense among them).

A bit of news rather closer to home is the CDOT accident that happened a few days ago. http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_4263919
My dad works for CDOT, he started on the sign crew and is now in the body shop, and knew Chuck (Charles). Dad says he was a really nice guy who was always in a good mood, and he invited my dad to come hunt on his property. I feel very bad for his wife, who's expecting kid #1 soon. As if losing your husband wasn't bad enough, now top that with all the stress of a newborn. Ouch. The good news is, there looks to be a lot of community support, and the Colorado State Employees Credit Union is taking donations for the family.

One more death to talk about is that of my dog. We got her when I was ten, she's been MY dog for most of that, and tomorrow she's going to be put to sleep. Her health's been speeding downhill for about a month now, and she's gotten to the point where she can't even breathe well, much less get around. I went to visit my parents yesterday and it hurt to watch her and to see what horrible shape she's in. I'm glad she won't be hurting much longer, but I'm sad to loose her, just the same.

It's just not a good time for the mortality rates, is it?