The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette obituary for Dusan Saula details his love for animals – and the unusual way he saved a chipmunk’s life.
As his obituary makes clear, Dusan Saula – who directed a Serbian Orthodox choir and played in a tamburica orchestra – was far from ordinary.
“Although Dusan’s birth certificate contained the generic term ‘Baby Boy Saula,’ he was anything but common; rather a shining, Serbian star was born.”
The obit, which appeared in the March 30, 2011 edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, provides many details about Saula’s musical career, wartime service and deep love for animals.
“He gave mouth to mouth resuscitation to a chipmunk to save its life.”
Anything but common, indeed. Saula’s dedication to animals extended beyond chipmunks:
“On another occasion, he brought home a baby deer whose mother was killed. He kept it in the basement feeding it from a baby bottle until he was able to find it a suitable home.”
I love the inclusion of Saula’s philosophy of life:
“Dusan’s life gives testimony to the statement ‘Ko Peva Zlo Ne Misli’ (Whoever sings doesn’t think bad thoughts).”
This post was contributed by Alana Baranick, a freelance obituary writer who lives in Northeast Ohio. She is director of the Society of Professional Obituary Writers and chief author of Life on the Death Beat: A Handbook for Obituary Writers.
