Even in New York City!

Yesterday I had to bring a stool sample of our pet cat to her vet's office. For fifty dollars, I dropped off the specimen while a vet technician delivered an Italian greyhound to its owner. The dog howled in pain as the owner and tech tried to lower her into the carrier. It had just gotten spayed and the wound was still fresh with sutures and the tenderness of post-op. Looking sympathetically at the pooch that couldn't sit down, much less crouch, in the pet carrier, I instinctively asked the owner if she drove a car to the vet. The owner, a young woman, said that she planned to take the dog home by subway. Pointing to my parked car out in front of the Animal Clinic of Long Island City, I offered to drive her and Stella, her pup, home. Immediately conscious of the awkwardness of the offer, I said something about my daughter being proud of my offer. The young woman paid her account and carried Stella to my car. Her home was only about six blocks away, but she and the dog-no doubt-appreciated not having to negotiate the stairs up to the elevated subway line and the three block walk from the station.

I learned that the young woman was a professional dancer who had recently performed in "West Side Story" and was rehearsing for the upcoming "Peter Pan" holiday special. She hailed from a state out west. I told her about my pets and family and we found a parking spot outside her door where she could then ring down her roommate and bring Stella home in comfort. I dropped off her carrier, greeted her roomy, and left. The young dancer was very grateful, and I more than glad to do the favor. I hope that she will always believe that even in New York City it is still possible to receive a kind act without any more agenda than that it is the good and right thing to do.