Community

My friend and neighbor D was one of those who watched over us.

Another neighbor has been urging me to get a dog. She thinks a small dog would be best. She, as people do, really loves her dog. Burt had been fearful around dogs, and I think she took it a little personally when he overreacted to her sweet pooch.

For a while, Burt, uncomfortable in the presence of dogs, would propose we get one. He said he wanted a small fluffy white one like the one his cousin Oscar had.

I had a dog growing up. Mine was a German Shepherd who barked at every other dog and dragged me to the supermarket. When we met, Burt and I, I lived with a cat. Her stupid pet trick was jumping from the floor onto my shoulder. Burt was impressed.

Burt was leery of all animals, but he came to be quite fond of Sophie. This despite the fact that she scratched him once. Sophie was actually named for Sofia Loren due to her ability to be dramatic and sultry.

[Speaking of Sofia Loren, we once, in one of those NY moments, crossed paths with her. It was on Madison Avenue, and we were walking home from a show. She took a carpeted walkway to the doors of Ralph Lauren. We were obliged to stand behind the ropes with other spectators. Celebrity encounters were a Burt favorite.] Back to our story….

In our chosen building, there were many encounters with dogs to be had. Burt did not always handle them with grace. He hated friction even as he courted confrontation, so he would  turn on the charm. Extra hellos and other greetings would be his to mete out to offended dog owners.

My friend and our neighbor told me he was a wonderful man, despite Burt’s run-ins with her beloved Golden.

Burt loved people. They usually sensed that and returned the favor. Now as I walk around our balliwick, I reap the benefits of that mutual admiration. Offers of anything we can do and affirmations of Burt meet me in our lobby, up the block, and around the corner. I say to him, as people do to their loved ones after they pass, thank you for these gifts.