Tales & Tails of New York

Some say "angels" are those beautiful creatures with wings who fly above us and somehow push us out of the way of an oncoming truck. 

Does that mean people who have been victims of violent crime, natural disasters, war or other tragedies had angels who fell down on the job?   Am I particularly lucky to have an angel that has alertly protected me from most dangers of life?  I imagine I am especially blessed.

There are other kinds of "angels," too.

The real flesh and blood kind on this earth -- like Cari Steinberg.

Cari Steinberg is a lovely young woman who, for a number of months has fostered cats for NYCA

Currently, she is fostering two wonderful cats "pulled" off the euthanasia list of AC&C several months ago.

Cari never complains about anything -- such as having to treat the animals when they were first sick, or having to foster for a long period of time before adoptive homes can be found.

But, yesterday she called me.

"Patty, I don't want to burden you with this, but something has come up."

"Cari, you are never a burden.  Its always good to hear from you.  What's going on?"

"A few days ago, I was outside. I saw what I thought was a rat behind garbage bags on Second Ave.  But, when I got closer I realized it was a dog.  She was in the gutter and cars and buses were fast coming down the street. I was afraid she was going to get killed."

"Where is the dog now?" I asked Cari.

"In my apartment."

"She is extremely sweet," Cari continued.  "A puppy, about six-months-old. Very skinny, but well behaved.  She gets along wonderfully with the cats. Neitze loves her."

"What are you calling the dog?" I asked.  "I imagine you will need help to find her an adoptive home?"

"Precious. Is that name OK?"

"I think its a very good name, Cari.  Can you send me a picture of Precious and I can get her posted to adoption sites?  She will have to get vetted and spayed of course. Perhaps we can get to that stuff next week."

"Will do," Cari answered.  "I just got a real cute picture of Precious and Neitze now. They really like each other."

"Send it to me, Cari.  I will get cracking on this."

"And thank you so much for saving the dog, Cari.  Up there in the streets of Harlem, with the traffic and the cold, she wouldn't have had a chance."

After the call, I had to wonder to myself how many people would have done what Cari did?  Apparently, (according to neighborhood residents) the dog had been on the streets for a number of days, scrounging meals out of garbage cans.

Sometimes it is the events like these that make me believe in "angels."

A guardian angel who somehow watched over an abandoned dog on the streets and another angel who was somehow "led" to that needy animal.

Who said angels don't exist?

All of this could be "circumstance" and "luck" of course.

But, somehow I get the feeling some very alert angels were hard at work.

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