My dog’s name is Rusty, and he has not saved a single train station. He really isn’t one for cats either, but I’d like to think he’d make an exception for Tama. That being said, my dog does have some qualities that make him newsletter worthy. Despite his name, Rusty’s the fastest Frisbee catcher at the local dog park. Of course, he doesn't usually want to give the disc back once he’s caught it — he takes pride in his work! But my dog, like any hero, has more talents than just physical prowess. He selflessly provides me with important reminders! Just as Lilou the therapy pig reminds travelers in the San Francisco International Airport to relax, Rusty reminds me to never leave the TV remote in an easy-to-reach location. I swear he chews them up like candy. And the brains on this dog are really something else. Sure, African giant pouched rats have been trained to sniff out land mines — saving dozens of lives — but ol’ Rust took just two weeks to become housebroken. I’m pretty sure that makes him some sort of genius. Plus he doesn’t drool nearly as much as my ex’s Newfoundland. Okay, so maybe none of that is on par with saving lives, fighting terrorism, or even just keeping a rural train station in business. Maybe Rusty is just a goofy mix with a big, lovable grin. But he’s my goofy mix, and one who loves getting me to grin along with him. That seems pretty heroic to me. Any pet can be a hero in the eyes of its owner. If you have a pet half as cool as Rusty, send our team an email and tell us about them!
MY COOL DOG What Makes a Pet a Hero?
A s a guest writer for this newsletter, I’ve had the chance to cover some truly heroic pets. From Conan, the Belgian Malinois who helped in the fight against the Islamic State group, to Tama, the stray cat who saved a railway station in Japan, I’ve shared some incredible stories of animals that gained fame through their selflessness. But have you heard of my cool dog?
Divorce and Family Law During the Coronavirus Pandemic
W hat Y ou N eed to K now
The Orange County Family Court is still open on a limited basis, for now. Given the serious nature of this pandemic, the court may temporarily close and postpone hearings. As of this writing, courts are open for limited proceedings. If you go to court, then wash your hands often, bring hand sanitizer, and avoid touching your face. Maintain personal space and try to stay in well-ventilated or outdoor spaces as much as possible. Since the virus is airborne, hand-washing will not completely prevent transmission, but it is still helpful. If you are immunocompromised, then talk to your attorney about options to postpone your hearing or to appear telephonically. Put petty matters between you and your spouse aside and work together to help everyone stay healthy. Thankfully, children are relatively safe from death and morbidity resulting from the virus. Unfortunately, children are acting as carriers and spreading the disease. If one of you lives with someone who is immunocompromised or elderly, then it may be time to come up with a different custody plan to protect everyone’s health. Try to be flexible.
take care of the children if you are sick? What about your
co-parent? And what if both of you are ill? Now is the time to start making contingency plans. It’s time to speak with your co-
parent (either directly or through your legal counsel, depending on your situation) and come up with an agreement governing things like exposure to crowds, hygiene, and travel. Plan ahead if you're thinking about divorce. Be aware that attorneys and the court systems are likely to be busy and overbooked once this is all over. China saw a major divorce boom after the epidemic passed through its cities. You can contact us now to get ahead of the inevitable rush if you know you are ready to move forward. We can meet with you via videoconference if desired, and we even accept payments over the phone. Meet with your attorney through videoconferencing. Our office is happy to protect you and the health of the community by arranging meetings with Mr. Bledsoe through FaceTime or other video messaging platforms.
Get an emergency parenting plan in place and ready now. Although children are unlikely to become seriously ill, parents are at risk. Who will
For more informative articles like this one, be sure to visit our blog at JustFamilyLaw.com/family-law-expert-blog!
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