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Casual
Monday stroll. 1:35 PM. Photo: JH.
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Yesterday
was another oppressively hot and humid day in New York. I
take it from the Weather Map that we aren’t the only
ones. But that’s no comfort because these are dog days.
Which brings us to the dogs. A friend sent us an email over the
weekend with photos of six dogs who are currently at the Center
for Animal Care and Control here in New York. Three are Shih-tzus,
two are Pomeranians and one looks from the picture like a Spaniel.
When I see pictures like this the first thing I think of are all
the people who insist on going to a breeder and buying a dog. Get
this: all of these dogs came from breeders. And then eventually
they were dumped – dumped is the word – by their owners
for a variety of reasons. God knows how they were treated before
they were dumped. It’s a grim reminder of a lot of things
about the humanity (or lack thereof) of so many people on this
planet. Another grim reminder.
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Buster.
8PM.
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Buster chilling at Peter Rogers'
in Connecticut.
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Aside
from that, let’s get down to business. I
have a dog that came from the CACC. His name is Buster. I got him
in 1997
when I lost another dog – her name was Mrs. Fa Fa (you gotta
love that silly name — I loved that dog). Buster was three
or four when I got him. They brought him out to meet me and he
couldn’t
have been less interested. He looked terrible; dirty, with large
blotchy rashes all over his body. They told me “maybe” it
was mange. I didn’t know what “mange” was although
it didn’t sound good. They didn’t know if it would
clear up or not.
We went outside into a little fenced in area. Buster took a dump
and otherwise ignored me. The message was very clear: “who
knows what I’m facing,” was how he might have regarded
me. Buster’s “future” had been far from rosy.
He had had three homes and was facing being put to sleep within
24 hours. Except he came home with me. With no expectations of
course. The next day I took him to the vet who looked him over
and concluded that the rashes might have been nerves and suggested
he have a good bath and we wait and see.
So we gave the guy a good bath and we waited. Within the week,
his skin rash cleared up. That was almost eight years ago and he’s
been fine ever since; never had a problem. Buster is a dear little
guy. He was housebroken when I got him and he always walks right
at my heel. He’s sweet but timid leading me to believe some
large bi-ped (most likely a humanoid) intimidated him thoroughly,
to put it politely. Buster gets along with all dogs. I had two
others when he came to live with me, and although they passed away,
he has another companion – Missy, a four-year-old who’s
been with us since she was about six months old. Missy’s
never had any bad treatment and she’s quite confident and
quite demanding; a handful who’s very cute and very affectionate.
Her tail wags everytime anyone looks at her.
I’ve been adopting dogs for as far back as I can remember.
Most of them showed up or someone brought them around and I took
them in. I’ve been “partial” to Shih-tzus since
the late 70s when a friend palmed one off on me for a few days
and later confessed he didn’t want the dog. But I like all
dogs. (I like cats too; I took two dogs and five cats with me when
I moved to California many years ago.) And almost all dogs like
people. The only exceptions are the dogs who have been trained
not to like people. Trained by people, thank you very much. It’s
the people who are the problem. |
1. LASSIE - ID#A615070.
I am an unaltered female, black and white Shih Tzu mix. The
shelter staff thinks I am about 8 years old. I have been at
the shelter since Jul 08, 2005. No
major medical issues, just matted coat.
2. ID#615099 - I'm an 8-year-old pomeranian. Blind
with masses that may be tumors. You
would not believe how absolutely divine this dog is. Will
require medical intervention.
3. JUJO - ID#A615817. I'm 7-year-old
male Shih Tzu. I was owner surrendered on 7/12/05. I'm 18 pounds,
have cataracts
and have limited vision in both eyes.
4. TRICKS - ID#616055. I'm a 9-year-old female.
Status 4nc due to mammary tumors. Came to shelter as a stray.
Sweet as can be but will require medical attention.
5. ID#616339 -
Just arrived to the shelter and seems to be fairly healthy
and friendly if not a little timid.
6. BRONSON - ID#A615347.
I'm a 1-year-old male Shih Tzu. I was owner surrendered
on 7/9/05. I'm housebroken, love men, women and children. Owner
said that they kept Bronson outside 24/7 in the summer. He
has dirty, matted, unkempt coat and would need extensive grooming.
Upon
medical exam, he bit
the handler but didn’t break the skin, so he has some behavior
issues.
If interested in adoption/assistance, please contact:
Animal Care & Control of New York City
Office: 212-722-4939
www.nycacc.org
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So
I was looking at these pictures and thinking about what
these little creatures have been through and how they must
feel now that they’ve ended up in cages at the CACC.
And unless they find homes soon, they’re doomed. For
some, if not all of them, that might be a relief, considering
what they’ve been through living with those lovely
bi-peds. But remember, a lot of the bi-peds even treat their
children and their partners pretty terribly.
I’m thinking of adopting another. The CACC tells you the problems the dogs
have but actually most of their problems are minor. Cataracts can be taken care
of nowadays, for example. Dogs can easily be altered. And a single grooming can
make all the difference in the world to the animal, just like a good bath can
make all the difference in the world to any of us, after going for days (or in
these cases maybe months) without one. The little guy who nipped his handler
when he was being inspected may be the gentlest of all. The greatest remedy is
T.L.C. It works miracles. Sometimes even with bi-peds, as you might have noticed. |
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Missy
making herself right at home at Peter Rogers' in Connecticut.
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When
I got Mrs. Fa Fa from a pet adoption agency (I’d called
to see if they had any Shih-tzus that needed a home) I was told
they had her – she
was three (and had had three homes) – but that she was “a biter.” That
doesn’t mean “attacker.” It means if you approach the dog and
frighten it, or get too close to its face, it may react sharply. I’ve
never been one to put my face or my lips to a dog’s. Ewwww, is what I say.
Mrs. Fa Fa did nip me a couple of times when I petted her a little too intensely,
or surprised her with my hand. Then she was full of remorse and obviously waiting
for the punishment she must have got many times. I didn’t punish her. Instead,
I told her, in a very calm and comforting tone, that it would be all right. And
it was. She was almost fourteen when she had to be put to sleep because she had
congestive heart disease and it was slowly killing her.
Buster came in to replace her, to give me the opportunity to share my affections
with these little ones in need. And in turn, of course, they share their affections
with me all the time. It’s all about affection, and love, and need; and
with these little creatures, it’s all free and unconditional. A very good
bargain, you can’t deny; and a good lesson for any of us.
You might think of how you can brighten the day of one of these dogs. They’ll
love you for it.
Peggy Siegal had a birthday party for herself last Tuesday night at
the Hotel
Plaza Athenee. It was after a screening of a new television show “Hopeless
Pictures, which is an animated satire of the movie business in which Peg does
the voice over of a 'diva publicist' who calls herself Peg-ela which
is what Peggy calls herself at times (as in “hello, this is Peg-ela”).
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Annette
Siegal, Matti Siegal, and Peggy Siegal
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Peggy Siegal
has been doing her thing for quite some time now, longer than some
people in her position might even care to admit. Although not true
with Peggy because she’s got a bottle of the waters from
the fountain of youth in her handbag, (from a lifetime supply)
and as much as things (the pressures of the biz) can drive her
nuts, (and she, in turn, can drive others nuts – like the
gang who work for her), she loves what she does and she does it
better than anyone else. Giving parties that accompany screenings
chock-a-block with VIPs here in New York. There’s a signature
to the Peggy Siegal parties, and it’s called Her Guest list.
One of these days there will be a whole movie just about her because
her life’s come to that: it’s a movie.
So she had this party. I couldn’t make it because I was over at another
birthday party on Lew Miano’s terrace on Sutton Place
and 57th Street (see NYSD
7/20/05) which was ostensibly a birthday party for
himself
and Brooke
and
Peter Duchin; and although I thought I’d get out early enough
for a looksee
at Peggy’s, I didn’t. But they surely didn’t miss me because
the place was packed and everyone had a good time. I know that even though I
wasn’t there, because you always have a good time when Peggy gives a party.
And you always meet interesting people to talk to. Which is how the hostess means
it to be. |
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Bob
Balaban, Regis Philbin, and Josh Sapan
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Woody
Johnson and Bob Balaban
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Joy
and Regis Philbin with Peggy Siegal
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Aby
Rosen, Ron Delsener, and Samantha Boardman
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Mariah
Balaban, Hazel Balaban, Lynn Grossman, and Bob Balaban
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Joanne
de Guardiola, Samantha Boardman, Aby Rosen, and Roberto
de Guardiola
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L.
to r.: Dixon Boardman and Veronica Hearst meet
and greet; and have
a laugh or a guffaw; Chris Meigher on a more serious
note.
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Celerie
Kemble and Dorinda Lynch
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Barry
and Diana Levinson
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Dixon
Boardman, Matti Siegal, and Peggy Siegal
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Carolyne
Roehm and Nina Griscom
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Josh
Sapan, Bob Balaban, and Evan Shapiro
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Joel
Siegal and Claudia Cohen
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Lynn
Grossman and Joel Siegal
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Peggy
Siegal and Andre Balazs
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Woody
Johnson and Suzanne Richa
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Woody
Johnson, John Loeffler, and Lucas Loeffler
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Lara
Spencer
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Grace
Meigher
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Felicia
Taylor
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Subscribe
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Chris
Obetz, a face that is familiar to a lot of NYSD readers, grew
up in Upper Arlington, Ohio near Scioto Country Club where
his father Robin was a childhood friend and college teammate of
Jack Nicklaus. Robin was, in fact, best man at Jack
and Barbara Nicklaus’ wedding.
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Classic
Golf Instruction. Click image to order.
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Additionally,
Chris’ grandfather
whom Chris regarded as his best friend and mentor, inculcated a
passion for the game of golf in his grandson. It was his grandfather’s
constant search for the perfect swing and a comprehensive golf
book collection that led Chris at age seven, to read his first
gold instruction book – Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: The
Modern Fundamentals of Golf.
It was his early exposure to the works of Anthony Ravielli who
illustrated Hogan’s book that led to Chris’ coincidental
discovery of the original artworks from the book one day in a Manhattan
antique shop. Understanding the values of these illustrations in
helping golfers everywhere improve their technique and skill, he
turned the collection in Classic Golf Instruction, published last
month by Rizzoli.
To celebrate the book’s publication, Rizzoli hosted a party
last month here in New York. |
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Ron
Grimaldi
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Chris
Obetz and Sandra McConnell
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Edward
and Dawne Bethel
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Audrey
del Rosario and Chris Obetz
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Marco
Ausenda and Chris Obetz
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Robert
Melendez and Sandra McConnell
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Jane
Seamon and Chris Obetz
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Robin
and Robin Obetz, Chris Obetz, and Sandra McConnell
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Ron
Kaspriske, Jerry Tarde, Matthew Rudy, Cliff Schrock,
Bob Carney, and Alan Goggins
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Tony
Ravielli, Jr., Chris Obetz, Georgian Ravielli, Bob Carney,
and Jerry Tarde
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Victoria
Wyman
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Tony
Urrutia, Chris Obetz, and Jill and Bill Stines
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Letter
of Emergency:
Gentlemen -
I enjoy browsing the NYSD on a daily basis. I am hoping that you may be
able to provide some assistance to my friend Shari, who is in the final hours
of her struggle to find a full liver transplant. Her doctors at NYU
Medical Center have given her just days to live.
You may have seen coverage of her situation in the Daily News, and on local TV
news broadcasts here in New York.
Shari is a beautiful person who recently spearheaded the largest blood drive
in American Red Cross history. She is getting married in October, and we
are trying to do everythng we can to make sure that happens.
I am hoping you might be able to help by posting the information below on your
website. Photos of Shari and a PDF flyer can also be found on our website:
www.liverforalife.com
I know that many influential people in NYC and around the world read your Diary
on a daily basis. The chances I know are slim, but I am hoping that reaching
just one of your readers may make the vital difference between life and death
for Shari.
Please contact me with any questions you may have. I appreciate your consideration
to this matter.
Thanks,
J.B.W. |
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