Oct 2023. Blues Vol 39 No. 10

words, he bravely

words, he bravely stated, “I’ve come to the end of the trail”. He had less than a week to live. Of course, Ruby and Rocco sensed something was wrong. Then, as predicted, my brother left to be with our Lord. In our home, on my birthday, in my arms, Norbert Ramon slipped from this world and went to the next. Ruby was still a young dog and my brother’s shadow. That day, we felt the inevitable was near and Ruby was taken to a dog day care. We knew Ruby would not understand and would be her normal playful self with my brother at a very bad time. My brother would not be able to respond to her affection. Upon her return, she knew something was amiss. Something terrible had happened to her beloved partner. After the funeral, Cindy returned to Houston and took Ruby. Life was not the same for anyone. Cindy attempted to resume work. Ruby had no one at home and had to be taken to dog day care. One day, Cindy called frustrated that Ruby did not want to go to daycare any longer. Ruby would run and hide under the bed and could not be coaxed to come out. Some of her friends had a farm and offered to take Ruby. They told Cindy that Ruby would have other dog friends and plenty of land to run around. Hearing this, I could not bear the thought of my brother’s dog leaving the family and, with her blessing, I took Ruby to live with us. Now I am in the position of owning two black labs with whom I shared the love and loss of their previous owners, my son, and my brother. Their departures have left a searing painful hole in our hearts. Ruby and Rocco sensed my sorrow. As if on queue, they became my shadow, following me everywhere I went. We affectionately dubbed my car the Labmobile. Gunny Rocco and Ruby bonded and became unlikely best friends. It was heartwarming to see two dogs with opposite personalities become inseparable and attuned to one another’s feelings along with mine. It wasn’t long before I would wake in the middle of the night and discover Rocco lying next to me. Ruby would share my pillow, sometimes with her nose touching mine. What can I say? I fell in love with these two dogs and we developed a special bond, cemented through adversity. Their spirit lifted mine. For that, I will forever be grateful. One day, Rocco gazed at me in a strange manner and whimpered. Ruby would lay by his side and their playfulness subsided. Something was wrong. A quick trip to the vet confirmed the dreadful news. Rocco had advanced cancer and only a month to live. We were devastated. Rocco handled his illness with grace and courage. His eyes would assure me not to worry, everything would be okay. He had done his job and now it was time for him to join his true master: Our son. It is often said, time heals, and our plans are never Gods plans. I try to accept this, but it is difficult. I do know through this experience that God, in his infinite Wisdom, arranged for these black labs to come into our lives. I am now a firm believer that animals have souls and feelings and understand more than we know. They are truly Gods furry angels, placed on this Earth to interact with a specific person, for a specific purpose, at a specific time and place. This is one of God’s many gifts. Providing mankind with pets from His Animal Kingdom to “Serve with Love” 24 The BLUES Click here for your FREE Subscription.

READERS SPEAK OUT letters from you PAROLE PROTEST – FELIX OCHOA COP KILLER My name is Craig Fos, and I am a twice-retired police officer, having served both the City of Galveston and City of Dickinson’s Police Departments. I am seeking your assistance in keeping a cop killer behind bars where he belongs. My wife’s father, William Mullins, started his short law enforcement career as a reserve police officer in Pearland, Texas. He then went to work as a full-time deputy with the Ft. Bend County Sheriff’s Office. Three years later, he was offered a job with the police department in the small town of Yorktown, Texas, his boyhood home. On July 11, 1976, Officer William Mullins, had been working as a patrol officer in Yorktown for only three months. He, like many police officers do each day, went to work with the full intention of returning home to his family. Felix Ochoa, on the other hand, decided that he would drink and make the choice to get behind the wheel of a car. His erratic driving got the attention of a concerned citizen who contacted Officer Mullins by CB radio. Officer Mullins stopped Ochoa to protect the citizens of this great state. Felix Ochoa had previously told a relative that he wanted to kill a police officer one day. When Officer Mullins stopped him, he saw an opportunity to get his wish. He shot Officer Mullins for no other reason than the fact that he was a police officer trying to do his job. Felix Ochoa was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. His conviction was overturned because of a dispute about whether or not Ochoa requested an attorney before his confession was taken. Ochoa pled guilty to avoid a second trial and was sentenced to life in prison. My wife, who was still a teenager at the time, was promised that the man who killed her dear Daddy would spend the rest of his life in prison. The police officers of this state work hard to protect the citizens and to keep the state safe. They know that there are risks involved. In the event of a vicious criminal act, the officers count on our system for justice. When Felix Garcia Ochoa was sentenced to life in prison justice was served. I ask that you help keep this man where he belongs. Please write or email your protest letter to: TDCJ - Victim Services Division, 8712 Shoal Creek Blvd, Suite 265, Austin, Texas 78757 Email: victim.svc@ tdcj.texas.gov. Please include the following inmate information in your letter: Offender: Ochoa, Felix Garcia State ID: 01447719 TDCJ ID: 00295407 With your assistance, we can help keep the state’s promise to that teenager that her father would receive justice. Thank you. Lest we forget. Craig Fos The BLUES 25