Today I was reading the Torah portion B’shalach, the story of Israel crossing the Red Sea to freedom. Afternoon prayers start at 4:10, and I left home at 3.30 to be there on time.
While I was driving west on Pico, I saw a couple with two dogs, walking east on Crescent Heights, on the north side of the street. One dog had light brown hair, the other black. The black dog got my attention because I passed them fast. I had to turn in the back street and make more turns in order to see again and make sure that I was right.
They stopped in front of the fancy kitchen and bathroom store. I parked the car in front of the store and looked at them. Yes, I was right. It was Rebel. I saw his face, his behavior. But the only thing that was missing was the little growth on his leg. The couple were in their late 40s, early 50s. They looked calm, kind, tender, loving. Each had a leash in hand, and the dogs looked happy. The couple stopped at the window and looked for a moment. They either wanted a closer look or to make an order. When they entered the store, the second dog seemed old. He was mellow, not jumping around like a young dog. Both were well behaved. Their masters were holding their leashes short and tight to make them behave well.
Rebel was curious and eager as usual to enter. When all four were inside, I was still in my car, studying them, wondering what to do.
I wanted to call Rebel and enjoy watching him jump, petting him. But I did not. I wondered what was the wise thing to do.
First, I thanked God for this opportunity. Since his loss, I have imagined many scenarios. Deep in my heart I was praying that if he had left us, at least I was asking for a loving family to find him. If I knew that he was fine, I would be happy knowing that he was not running the streets of Los Angeles, being kicked or stoned or crushed half-dead.
My wish came true this afternoon.
(To be continued)
Dr. Rosemary Hartounian Cohen, who lives in the Fairfax District, received her Ph.D in sociology from the Sorbonne in Paris. She lived in two other countries before moving, with her husband and four children, to Los Angeles in 1984. She has published four books in America. Since 1985, she has operated Atelier de Paris, an international art business, on Robertson Boulevard. Her email address is Rosemary@atelierdeparis.com.
