There’s an elderly French couple living in my building I’ve come to know.
They walk arm in arm, taking the air, moored happily in each other’s longtime company.
I love how they look, elegantly plain without fuss, his white hair kept slightly long, combed back with a perfect part. Hers, a matching shade just gracing her shoulders, a glimpse of her femme fatale at rest, more than gone.
They have no children, except for Montague, their Maltese, they treat like a son who walks nobly beside them fully aware of his importance as the second male of the family.
Seeming ageless, I was surprised to hear Monty developed arthritis in his back legs and couldn’t walk, now being pushed in a pram, pharaoh style so he can peer out on their strolls.
After just seeing him in his navy-striped turtleneck, as regal as ever, I was shocked learning he had died of a sudden seizure.
With my arms filled with early lilac, I made a condolence call.
The Missus solemnly answered, no lights on except for a candle where Monty’s ashes sat in a pewter urn, with his picture next to it.
“Where’s your husband,” I asked, since, I’ve never seen one without the other.
She started to cry. “My Augustin won’t eat, won’t sleep. His heart, it is broken. He won’t even weep…he sits like a statue. I am so worried for him.”
I asked if I could see him. She nodded, leading me to their bedroom where he indeed sat, motionless by the window.
“It’s your neighbor,” I said softy, still not sure what I would say, but then, words came.
“I’m so sorry. I know how much you loved him. I loved him too,” I said, our grief entwined. “I remember the first day we met…when I asked to pet Montague, you said no, he might bite a stranger? But after sniffing me all over, he licked my hand as if to say, the girl’s alright. Do you remember that?”
He turned and said, “I do. He liked you right away.”
Then his wife, watching from the doorway said, “It’s why we too liked you right away. Montague…he was our protector.”
“And you his,” I said, “and he’d want to know, the two people he loved most would be okay even without him. He was such a happy dog, and so lucky to be so loved.”
The silence in the room made me think my attempt had failed, but when I turned to go, the husband said, “Please, we will walk you to the door.”
He embraced his wife tenderly, wiping a tear rolling down her cheek, then took my hand, kissing it like the true Frenchman that he is, as I, alas, took my leave with love and loss in place of lilac.
Hope, however, rode in on her steed because…
Three days later, there they were arm and arm, taking the air, moored happily, once again, in each other’s longtime company.
I’m pretty sure I heard Monty bark, in approval. 
SB
So sweet😎
~Hal Rubenstein From my iPhone
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Did you read it to Millie? 🙂
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How touching! You are an angel, saying just the right thing to the grieving couple. You are such a blessing to many, many people. When I get the tears out of my eyes, I’ll read it again.
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I loved Monty. He was such a wonderful, stately dog, the way he’d march next to them. He has no idea how short he was…the Napoleon of doggies. 🙂
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And love bound them all together.
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Like a package deal. 🙂
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We know when someone is kind hearted and good. Our instincts tell us. Montague will be watching over his parents, and they know in their hearts that he is now at peace and free from pain. Maybe that is one of the reasons why people grieve for us. We seek so little from humans. Touch, kindness, friendship and a safe place to live. And food of course, thats extremely important.
When we go, we may go from sight but never from your hearts. We remain there forever and actually take a small piece of your heart with us.
Thank you for being kind and thoughtful to your neighbours.
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How can one not be? You’re all so noble and loyal, and unconditional love, let’s face it, is pretty hard to find. WOOF WOOF WOOF… I’m playing the Dog’s version of TAPS.
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I think that is the key. We don’t ask for anything more than we would ask of ourselves. We are attached to humans because, essentially, most humans are kind. We don’t judge anything other than an ear tickle, a belly rub and somewhere warm to sleep. Humans are invariably here for our lives and that is important. We only get one go at this life lark so we, as dogs, are determined to make the best of it.
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You live in the moment, which is why you’re such noble role models, reminding us to do the same. 🙂
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Oh Susannah, this is one of the most beautiful posts I’ve ever read. You are such a tender soul. I never know the right thing to say unless I’m writing.
Pookie and I were both up all night to welcome are newest grandson, Zayne, into the world. He is my oldest daughter’s first child. Both mom and child are doing great. She and her honey were gracious enough to let me help with the birthing. What a miracle to behold!
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CONGRATULATIONS. I LOVE THE NAME ZAYNE. SUCH HAPPY NEWS. 🙂
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Congratulations Skinny! I love the name, Zayne…you are blest. I’m expecting Milo first week in May…truly are miracles!
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Congratulations and best wishes!
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Aw Susannah, beautifully written. Michael and I did as that couple…walked arm in arm w/our two dogs…Fancy, a little American Eskimo and Dani Girl…a Husky with one bright blue eye and one dark. They were glamorous and so well behaved. Sadly, Michael is gone along w/the two beauties. I miss that trio…oh how I miss them. Thanks for the beautiful piece.
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Nothing lasts forever…the eternal lesson.
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But such a hard and painful lesson.
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Yes. I know, but that’s what is involved when you permit yourself to love anything, nothing lasts forever. And remember your epitaph Skinny unless you’ve decided otherwise. We’re all just walking each other home. Furry friends included. ❤️
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I’m not crying… you are.
Okay, I’m crying
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Please don’t cry, it might affect your immune system. Honestly…I’ll tell ya Madam Clever, my roots are coming in early over what’s been going on. WASH YOUR HANDS..PLEASE.
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Sheesh, I know. You’re right about that. Hang on tight, it’s going to be a bumpy ride
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Wasn’t All about Eve the best movie? Some swell lines, like that one. 🙂
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Well done, Suzannah! … well done.
PS: I had to stop by to say hi!
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How gentlemanly of you. We appreciate it here at WASH YOUR HANDS/DON’T TOUCH YOUR FACE.com
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Your words are a reminder that we all can share a tender moment with one another.
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That is so true, and both parties win. 🙂
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So nice, what you said! It’s wonderful to know the help you were in getting them started back to a semblance of normal.
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They would have gotten there anyway, but as you know being an animal lover, losing one is heartbreaking. That unconditional love works both ways, you just don’t realize that until their end is missing. SIGH
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I’m all weepy, but in a good way.
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I know what you mean. I just saw them. The crisis seems to suit them since, they can keep their sad faces on and people will think it has to do with the MET being closed. They’ve just taken all the seats out of Starbucks so people can’t sit next to each. other. You can stay but have to stand. What’s next? House arrest with ankle bracelets. Mine better be Gucci, or else.
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You notice in times of crisis, all those things we never think about? Become the things we think about, lots.
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Yeah, it’s High Noon around here.
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Whistling that western showdown tune in my head right now . . .
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I loved Coop in that. His face, so lined showing the life he lived. He’s in my favorite Audrey film…Love In The Afternoon. It’s where I got thin girl from. It’s what he calls her. 🙂
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I totally see it. 🙂
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He was too old to play opposite her, but Billy Wilder, the director, got away with it. Coop wasn’t comfortable but, Audrey won him over. Great film though a little campy. 🙂
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Billy Wilder . . . now there’s a name.
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Yeah, he’s a fave of mine.
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I somehow missed this post. So very glad I came back. Such a touching story and I am so glad for the couple that you seemed to come by at the right time to snap Augustin out of it.
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They are the loveliest couple. Their dog was 15. I didn’t realize that since, he didn’t look a day over 10. Monty had great bones, so to speak. 🙂
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They sound it. 15 for a little dog is rather respectable. Zeke is 10 and has started to drag his back feet a little plus getting up the stairs and just standing after lying for a while is starting to look rather painful. I am so not looking forward to the future…
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The downside of love, but that’s for another day. WOOF
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True ’nuff.
WOOF – Zeke loves when you send him good wishes…
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He’s quite a guy, and he’s still single. Give him my number. Tell him I’m a French Poodle, off her noodle.
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Will do! He likes ’em tall and slim and with a quirkiness…
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Hmm. Those Germans.
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😉🐾
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WW comin up
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😉
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