MAY
14, 2006 --
For
several weeks, I have been thinking of writing about Shana -- while
she is still here to read it. And something happened today to convince
me this is the time to write.
We were in Riverdale Graphics, a card, gift, and print shop in The Bronx, on
Riverdale Avenue. The proprietors are Lou and Zita Gottesman -- terrific people.
Shana was lying down next to the counter and Lou, seeing that I was holding
stamped envelopes, asked if I was going to mail them.
When I said yes, he asked if I would mail one of his bills, too. Of course
I agreed to, adding that I was going to the local post office -- a few blocks
away, not to the mailbox across the street . I then explained that I have to
tell Shana that I'll be right back. Lou immediately answered, "Don't tell
her; just go." I looked at him, he looked at me -- and we both started
to laugh.
But maybe the laughter was unfair to Shana. I have a hunch she understands
everything I say to her. I have a hunch it is not inaccurate to say that Shana
has a personality (not a canine-ality).
Clearly (I write this without embarrassment), Shana knows a lot more people
than I do. People who see me
without her, ask how she is -- and I have know idea who most of the people
are.
I know she loves going to Litchfield County in Connecticut -- and also to Central
Park and to the Press Gate at Yankee Stadium.
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Shana
is happy to see her friends in Central Park's North Meadow
where the BSL is playing the first two weeks of this season.
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Here she is shown
in Central Park's North Meadow, May 11 -- the first day of the Broadway
Show League 2006 season, and outside Yankee Stadium the evening of
May 10 (the car behind her is George
Steinbrenner's).
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Shana
outside of Yankee Stadium on May 10th. The car in the background
belongs to George Steinbrenner.
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Note her happy expression
in the North Meadow photo and how she seems to be standing upright
on her hind legs. Clearly, seeing all her friends from the Broadway
Show League at the North Meadow ballfields was a tonic for Shana, who,
at age 16 and nine months (comparable to about 90 of our years, according
to a
veterinarian's chart) usually has some trouble walking and will, intermittently,
not be able to stand on her back legs.
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Incontrovertible
proof of Shana's personality…
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Shana
in the Phantom of the Opera pre-game huddle, last BSL
season.
It's possible she advised the team to take the first pitch at bat.
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While
she was in North Meadow, though,
her back legs did not give way. (Alas, dogs are not permitted in North Meadow
-- I am investigating if an exception can be made for Shana, because she has
a
personality.)
Some years ago, we were in the showroom at Capuano Cadillac and Buick in Torrington
-- one of Shana's
favorite places to visit.
A vigorous discussion was taking place between the manager and a salesman.
Shana would have none of it. Barking,she immediately went between the men.
Shana just does not like to hear people raising their voices at each other.
(Capuano recently was purchased by Northwest Hills. I hope Northwest follows
the Capuano approach of regarding people more as friends than customers --
and I
wish Ralph and Barbara Capuano well in their retirement.)
When she was younger, Shana would express her sense of public duty by howling
when a fire engine sped by.
Obviously, she felt it was her responsibility to help the fire engine sound
the alarm.
Shana would also enter a store, particularly Oddo Print Shop in Torrington
and A Frame Come True in Torrington, or office -- particularly The Voice in
Winsted (now gone) or John Steele's
Book Shop in Litchfield (also gone with the passing of proprietor Bill Keifer)
-- barking -- to announce that she had arrived, and was ready for attention
-- and
treats. Shana has this knack about getting snacks -- even from strangers.
Last Sunday, for example, in the park behind Grant's Tomb, Shana (notwithstanding
her walking problem) pulled me in the direction of a family having a picnic
-- and got an offer of a hot dog, which she accepted.
These days, I am thankful (and happy) just to see Shana walk, however slowly.
She needs help getting up though.
Some time ago, I noticed that people, passing us in the street, would -- most
of them anyway (there are a few who either fear or dislike dogs) -- smile when
they saw her and compliment her.
These days, people probably show sympathy as much as smile when they see Shana.
And, should they ask about her age, they usually say, when I tell them, "God
bless her."
Indeed so. I know that God blessed me with Shana, a devoted companion who is
not only good looking, intelligent and sensitive -- but has a personality as
well.
People marvel on learning Shana's age. If I
had anything to do with it -- it is only that Shana strongly believes I need
her to look after me. And, of course, she is right.
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