I think we need a place to chronicle all the funny, cute and bizarre dog sightings in New York and beyond. Please add your dog stories!
On a freezing day in Brooklyn, a gremlin-like dog was holding court in front of the Muffin Company on Bedford Avenue. He was tiny, with wiry fur and an angry little face. He honestly looked like he'd be right at home in Hades, nipping the heels of people who send chain-letters or cheat at Scrabble. I bent down to say hello--his petulant face was irresistable--and he ran to me, whipping his tail in a frenzy. Then I remembered that oh!--I am afraid of dogs, even ones that can fit in my purse. I stood up and backed off. His owner said, "What? Are you afraid of funny-looking dogs?" If only she knew that I do not discriminate.
I used to be much more afraid of dogs. I would panic and jump, piggy-back style, on the nearst person if a dog got too close. But a few years ago a homeless man in the East Village set me straight. In Tompkins Square Park there are two dog-runs, one for large dogs, and one for the mini versions. A huge black dog was drooling on a pinic table in the big-dog park, staring at me and my friend Tom on the outside.
"Do you think that dog can jump this fence?" I asked Tom. He assured me that was not possible. I didn't believe him.
Then a man ( I think he was a full-time resident of the park) said to me, "Do you know what the Fear Factor is?"
I said, "Yes, it's a show on TV."
"No," he said, "The fear factor is YOU."