Omar's Diary to Friday, June 28

Last weekend Man Servant bought a copy of The Economist. This was indeed a rare treat for both of us, as we both take an interest in the world beyond the New Forest.

For those of you not familiar with this magazine it is published weekly in London, and is available internationally as well as in the UK. It supports the free enterprise of a market economy, deregulation, and privatization, but will also speak in favor of maintaining democratic values and oppressed minorities.

I was especially interested in one of the leading articles that was headlined as ‘Reigning Cats and Dogs’. This was about how the relationship between canines and felines, and the servant species has changed over thousands of years. The paragraph where the servant species was quite disturbing as they were referred to as ‘naked apes’. The very thought, let alone the image that was conjured from my imagination was almost enough to put me off further reading. Fortunately, any images I had disappeared very quickly.

This process of change is referred to as ‘pet humanization’. It has lead to the development of a multi billion dollar globalized business supplying food, dietary supplements, medicines, medical care, and clothing.

This process is succinctly described in the following two quotes from the article:

‘The species that once enslaved others now toils to pay for the care of their pets’

and

‘Watch a hapless dog-walker trailing his hound, plastic bag in hand to pick up its mess’.

Now that is what I call ‘karma’ especially with the canine scenario.

About two weeks ago I was taken to my private medical centre. There I was examined and weighed. The good news was that since my last weigh in I have lost half a kilo. The bad news was that I overheard a conversation about my having to return for a ‘procedure’. No one explained to me what the procedure was, so you can imagine the stress this caused me worrying about what was going to happen to me. Perhaps because my weight was still a bit high the procedure could be some form of lipo suction?

A few days later I found out that the ‘procedure’ was to scale and polish of my teeth.

Last night my private doorway was locked and all food removed from the dining area. That even included the Dreamies. Most distressing.

This morning Lady Servant was cuddling me in the hallway, wishing me all the best. Man Servant appeared with my traveling pod, and before I could make an escape I was unceremoniously bundled into the pod. He always refers to this as like watching a reluctant two year old racehorse going into the starting stalls.

Worse was to come. No private ambulance or limousine with darkened windows to hide me from any photographers. No, not for Omar. I had to travel in the ‘red thing’. At least Man Servant refrained from having the roof down.

I had a copy of The Economist and some Dreamies in my Gladstone bag to occupy me in my private room, while was recovering from the procedure. The anesthetic must have been quite powerful as when I woke up all I felt like doing was going straight back to sleep again. The Economist and Dreamies remained untouched.

Back at Omar Towers I was affectionately welcomed by Lady Servant. Lots of cuddles, and a reassurance that I would have some fresh cold chicken later when I felt like eating again. I played the situation and pretended to be a bit off the pace for a few more minutes. This guaranteed me at least two extra pieces of succulent chicken.

I cannot help but notice the difference in the availability of medical care between servants and felines. It seems to me that I can get an appointment, be treated almost immediately, and at my convenience. Whereas in the media I quite often see reports of servants suffering unduly as a result of not being able to access medical services when they most need it here in one of the largest economies in the world.

Man Servant says he can remember reading somewhere in The Wealth of Nations by the 18th Century philosopher and economist Adam Smith. Although he was a strong supporter of a liberalized market economy based on supply and demand, he recognized that as well as benefiting from this system, some of the population through no fault of their own would need support from the wider society when they were ill or fell on hard times. It seems to me that servant society in this country is successful in its pursuit of the market economy, but somehow is not fulfilling its moral and democratic obligations to its citizens.

Far be it from me to put this difference in the availability of medical services between felines and their servants down to karma. I would never wish ill health on any living creature let alone not having access to treatment and cures. I would like to think Adam Smith would agree with me.

Your link to one of my favourite magazines

Your link to Adam Smith

And the medical centre where I am grateful for the amazing care I received