How Bruno Block Is Taking Care of Me

 

Yes, I was back in Brooklyn last week hanging with Bruno Block, my son Brian's rescue Lab/Border Collie, while Brian was traveling on business.

Someone said to me "Oh, so you were taking care of Bruno."

No, not true. He was taking care of me.

It's way better walking with Bruno on the streets in Brooklyn than walking with him in my native Havertown. In Havertown he may bump into a random dog or two, but they're jaded suburbanite dogs, the kind who probably sit around with their people watching "American Pickers."

But here in Brooklyn, it's a Butt-a-Palooza for Bruno! Around every corner are willing and diverse four-legged participants of every shape, size, breed, and personal proclivities.

And it's amazing how an entire canine relationship can take place between Bruno and another dog in 15-20 seconds of concerted sniffing. I watched Bruno in action with a cocker spaniel named Cocoa last Wednesday

• First sniff was to make initial contact. "Hello, nice to meet you, Cocoa. Shall we have coffee?"

• Second sniff was the coffee and converation. "I'm not from here, I'm from Philly. Go Birds! Are you Jewish, Cocoa? You're not a Trumper, are you?"

• Third sniff. The Relationship! "I really like you, Cocoa. Think we might try living together? What books, art, music do you like? Do you prefer Fresh Pet or The Farmer's Dog? Do you want to doggie do it? (Figuratively, if not literallly.)

• Fourth sniff are the invariable speed bumps, the snags, the irreconciable differences. "What, are you crazy?! The Farmers' Dog is way Better than Fresh Pet! Go ahead, go back to Second Avenue, see if I care!"

• Fifth sniff is the breakup. "It's been swell, Cocoa, but Perry is tugging on my leash. And your person is a hot young blonde woman who has absolutely zero interest in Perry such as to want to linger here even one moment longer!

That's it. Bittersweet but amicable.

So what's in all this for me?

Human life isn't like doggie life. Meeting someone special is hard, relationships are hard, and quite frankly at 75 years old I'm not expecting Scarlett Johansson to walk through the front door.

I have kept it open for her though.

So I'm happy for Bruno that even if he has indeed loved and lost, he will love again.

Maybe even in the next minute or two.

And that makes me feel kinda good.

And that's how Bruno is taking care of me.

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BTW, I've seen this sign before right outside Brian's building.

"You matter to Jesus."

Of course you do. How could the World's Number One Jew resist playing Jewish geography in New York City?