It’s rather easy for one to get stuck in their own microcosm of issues – higher food prices, lewd politicians (yes, you Silvio Berlusconi), or whether or not to give the booze a rest for a week, or even a day.
Then comes a timely reminder there are far greater issues at hand, and the boss isn’t some arrogant, parsimonious ass, but a relentless wall of water coming from the department of Miss Mother Nature (I’m not sure she could sustain a relationship with a temper like that).
In one of her more destructive outbursts of late, heavy rains have taken their toll on various parts of the globe – but none more than Brazil, where more than 700 people (hundreds more suspected) met their demise after being swept away by raging landslides.
The situation has understandably created utter pandemonium, where a scene of dead bodies floating downstream and drowned animals (baby elephants) hanging in treetops has become the norm.
Under such grave circumstances, where loved ones are lost and life savings have literally dissolved, the warmest scenes of human (and canine) emotions are often revealed. It is here the things that really matter come into focus, and John Lennon’s famous words – “all you need is love” – are profoundly understood.
One of hundreds of bodies recovered from what has been declared “the worst natural disaster in Brazil’s history”, Cristina Maria Cesario Santana, from Teresópolis (one of the hardest hit areas), was buried last week in a makeshift graveyard along with other fresh victims.
However, unlike others in her plot, Ms Santana had a rare and regular visitor, her dog Leao. Right after her owner had passed away and was laid to rest, Leao sat at her raw and flowerless grave all day and into the next night, and indeed for several days after that.
Workers looked on as Leao sat by the person who had given her a happy life, it seemed, and she appeared unwilling to leave. Such emotional scenes are not uncommon in Brazil at present – a stark reminder of what is really important, and that dogs are cool.
There has been no further word on Leao. Maybe she is somewhere safe now, listening to the Beatles.
Leave a Reply