Our Dogs Neal Barnard, M.D. Dr. Neal Barnard, internationally known integrative health researcher, President and Founder of Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine and author of several best selling books such as Breaking the Food Seduction and Food for Life, is a clinical researcher, author, and health advocate. He has been the principal investigator or coinvestigator on several clinical trials investigating the effects of diet on health. Dr. Barnard is the author of dozens of publications in scientific and medical journals as well as numerous nutrition books for lay readers and is frequently called on by news programs to discuss issues related to nutrition, research issues, and other controversial areas in modern medicine. He is a frequent lecturer at scientific and lay conferences and has made presentations for the American Public Health Association, the World Bank, the National Library of Medicine, the Franklin Institute, the American Medical Writers Association, the Association of Health Care Journalists, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, and many state dietetic associations. Dr. Barnard is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, a Life Member of the American Medical Association, and a member of the American Diabetes Association. CD - Lecture - Ethical Issues in Food Choices. An increasing number of people are motivated by the effects their eating habits may have on the world around them—the animals, the environment, and other people. New concerns about global climate change and the spread of emerging diseases, such as avian flu, highlight the fact that our nutritional decisions send ripples far and wide. This lecture looks at these bigger-picture concepts and how they can be motivators for change. Most importantly, it takes an optimistic view of how we can improve the world we live in. I have long believed that dogs are angels here on Earth to serve our many emotional needs. They display unconditional love and a Divine spirit. I found one such angel. at a most opportune moment in time. In July almost 12 years ago my husband Bill and I lost our beautiful afghan, Star, to heaven, she plays there still. Shortly afterward we found a wonderful afghan puppy and she made our hearts sing. Her personality was totally different than that of Star and we soon knew her name was Goldie. When we lost Star, we went the same week and adopted a dog as different from Star as we could find. My husband said that he did not want another afghan…fresh wounds I guess, so we found Taylor. According to our vet she is part Sharpei and part Lab. Taylor has always been an old soul. She was quick to learn any skill and tried to fill our hearts with laughter. After a few weeks, my husband looked at me and said, “maybe we should get an afghan to keep Taylor company”. So we found Goldie. For these years she filled our house and lives with her beautiful presence, running, jumping, playing and touching the most tender parts of our hearts. Without any prior illness or warning, last night she became ill and we took her to the emergency veterinary clinic where she passed away. That is how they termed it. Maybe because I have lived with Bill, Goldie and Taylor for so long I see it differently. Goldie got her wings last night. Yes, we will miss her, but I want to thank the universe for giving us those precious moments with her and for the changes she made in our spirits. It was a privilege to know her and I hope she had as great a time as she gave us. Michele Bege