"...for some reason, from maybe the 1920s till the late 1960s, the city became remarkably safe."
Probably entirely coincidental, but that same period also encompasses what I call "The Great Pause."
In 1924, Congress passed the first-ever comprehensive immigration act. This turned off the spigot on mass immigration to the United States, and remained in effect until it was overturned by the 1965 immigration act.
As a result, a 40-year period of immigrant inculturation allowed things to settle down. This was of course very much aided and abetted by John Dewey and others in their work establishing the public school system in urban areas, with the explicit purpose of transforming immigrants into Americans.
As I say...this may just be coincidence. But honestly, it was the first thing that came to mind when I read your essay.
My brother has ALWAYS had dogs. We all loved our dogs, but even as a child the family dogs were in essence his. In the past 3 years he has lost two border collies, unexpectedly, about a year apart in early February. He was 74 when the second one passed, and I was seriously afraid it was going to kill him. We live 5 hours apart, so I spent hours online and on the phone, just talking about nothing in particular. This year, a year later, he is a little better. But he has one remaining dog, a three-legged pound adoptee with a beautiful personality, and she's getting on 14-15 years old.
I honestly don't know if he will be able to take another dog dying. Over the years he has 'lost', of course, several dogs, but he's been divorced for a while and the dogs have been his household family. He has children and grandchildren he loves dearly, but they don't live with him.
I've tried to get him to adopt a 'new' dog, but he says he can't, any more. The bond is truly deep.
And I think dogs probably come to be like their master, since every one of his has been a very good boy or girl, indeed. Every single one.
Another wonderful box of chocolates, Professor. I absolutely love these potpourri articles of yours.
As far as New York crime goes, I would note that the safe period in the 20's to 60's followed two very large wars, in which perhaps a large number of city boys suddenly became proficient in firearms and other martial arts. It makes me wonder if there might have been another relatively quiet period in the 1870's.
My family had dogs once my Dad got out of the Army and could keep one. He was a beagle man, and had several memorable ones. I never disliked dogs, but could take or leave them. One time a friend asked my wife and I why we didn't have a dog, and my wife said, "I have two sons who dig holes and pee in the yard. Why do I need a dog?" I do like cilantro, though.
I, too, broke apart reading Vest's "Eulogy of the Dog." I've yet to find the words to fully convey the pain of losing the best friends I will ever have, but it's comforting to know that I'm not alone. Thank you, Bob.
Great essay! I will but point out in re: Crime in NYC from1920 -around 1960sih. It seems to me that this period marked the high point of the influence and control of the mob families that ruled NYC with an iron hand inside a velvet glove.
Thanks for the "dog" part of the essay. Being a somewhat loquacious fellow I decided to read the eulogy aloud to my somewhat frigid, but definitely dog loving wife. I read with verve and fervor as if a young man in my prime.
At the end, my wife led me to our bedroom and we made the most passionate love we have had in many years. Thank you. I had her barking like a dog.
I expect at least one essay a week like this. K? But she hates cats.
This scene from “Futurama” seems apt, with respect to the discussion about dogs. I could only watch it once (fast forwarded through it just now to be sure it’s the right one). Needless to say, I’m a dog (and cilantro) person.
I have had a dog since my parents brought home a lovely boxer when I was just a year old. Each and every dog has been a blessing, and I couldn't imagine a life without one. That eulogy was perfect, but I think I have something in my eye...
Your analysis is spot on, only the untimely death of a beloved relative is worse than the death of ones dog. Every time it happens I'm completely shattered emotionally; I usually say "Can't get another dog, can't go through this ever again!" Always end up with another one though. All this despite the fact that I really am a cat person.
Lovely tribute to dogs. A dog will give you years of trust, unquestioning loyalty, companionship - and one of the single worst days of your life. I have personally endured several off those final days - it never gets easier. But then, each one is unique, and even within the same breed, different - we never forget the ones we had, but that doesn't diminish the ones we will have. Each one adds to our life experience in its own individual way. Thus I am never without the company of a dog, despite the inevitable heart-breaking ordeal of all those last days that have come before. I know it's coming - but the rewards are commensurate with the grief, and the memories are permanent.
By the way, if you want to experience true love - lock your wife and your dog in the trunk of your car for a day. See who's happy to see you when you let them out.
One of the most touching scenes I recount of the past several years was George Bush’s service dog lying beneath his casket as Bush-‘ body lie in state.
I,too, hate cilantro.
But the love people have for dogs is often duplicated by those of us who love and cherish our cats.
Actually, my friend Ivan Eland, in his book Recarving Rushmore, argues that Tyler was the best president we ever had. Ivan has met his grandson, by the way.
I read that dog piece something like 60 years ago! So that's who did it. Gotta look Vest up and test myself for cilantro. Oh, I am part of the 29% who find saccharin is not very sweet--why I avoid "diet" foods! So Holmes Jr. was born under W H Harrison! Do research to see who was born under President David Rice Atchison during his one-day Presidency on Sunday, March 4, 1849 except he was never sworn in and spent his term in hiding! FDR to Truman WAS a big change--FDR was a sucker for Stalin and Truman killed the New Deal Foreign Policy quick. Thanks for not liking Wilson!
Regarding Holmes, Jr., on May 6, 1853 his father who was in New York City for a medical convention started back to Boston as expected. But he missed his train! Just over two hours later than train ran through an open drawbridge at South Norwalk CT killing 46 people including several doctors from Boston. (That is still the highest death toll from a RR accident in all New England!). Several Boston newspapers printed flattering obituaries until word got through that Holmes St. had missed the train. Holmes Jr.'s life would have been a lot different if his father had caught that train---and his father is one of those few people who just missed the train that just went through that drawbridge!
Beautifully stated about dogs. And I love cilantro too!
"...for some reason, from maybe the 1920s till the late 1960s, the city became remarkably safe."
Probably entirely coincidental, but that same period also encompasses what I call "The Great Pause."
In 1924, Congress passed the first-ever comprehensive immigration act. This turned off the spigot on mass immigration to the United States, and remained in effect until it was overturned by the 1965 immigration act.
As a result, a 40-year period of immigrant inculturation allowed things to settle down. This was of course very much aided and abetted by John Dewey and others in their work establishing the public school system in urban areas, with the explicit purpose of transforming immigrants into Americans.
As I say...this may just be coincidence. But honestly, it was the first thing that came to mind when I read your essay.
My brother has ALWAYS had dogs. We all loved our dogs, but even as a child the family dogs were in essence his. In the past 3 years he has lost two border collies, unexpectedly, about a year apart in early February. He was 74 when the second one passed, and I was seriously afraid it was going to kill him. We live 5 hours apart, so I spent hours online and on the phone, just talking about nothing in particular. This year, a year later, he is a little better. But he has one remaining dog, a three-legged pound adoptee with a beautiful personality, and she's getting on 14-15 years old.
I honestly don't know if he will be able to take another dog dying. Over the years he has 'lost', of course, several dogs, but he's been divorced for a while and the dogs have been his household family. He has children and grandchildren he loves dearly, but they don't live with him.
I've tried to get him to adopt a 'new' dog, but he says he can't, any more. The bond is truly deep.
And I think dogs probably come to be like their master, since every one of his has been a very good boy or girl, indeed. Every single one.
Another wonderful box of chocolates, Professor. I absolutely love these potpourri articles of yours.
As far as New York crime goes, I would note that the safe period in the 20's to 60's followed two very large wars, in which perhaps a large number of city boys suddenly became proficient in firearms and other martial arts. It makes me wonder if there might have been another relatively quiet period in the 1870's.
My family had dogs once my Dad got out of the Army and could keep one. He was a beagle man, and had several memorable ones. I never disliked dogs, but could take or leave them. One time a friend asked my wife and I why we didn't have a dog, and my wife said, "I have two sons who dig holes and pee in the yard. Why do I need a dog?" I do like cilantro, though.
Sir, Many thanks for a wonderful potpourri and wonderful afternoon reading.
I, too, broke apart reading Vest's "Eulogy of the Dog." I've yet to find the words to fully convey the pain of losing the best friends I will ever have, but it's comforting to know that I'm not alone. Thank you, Bob.
Great essay! I will but point out in re: Crime in NYC from1920 -around 1960sih. It seems to me that this period marked the high point of the influence and control of the mob families that ruled NYC with an iron hand inside a velvet glove.
Thanks for the "dog" part of the essay. Being a somewhat loquacious fellow I decided to read the eulogy aloud to my somewhat frigid, but definitely dog loving wife. I read with verve and fervor as if a young man in my prime.
At the end, my wife led me to our bedroom and we made the most passionate love we have had in many years. Thank you. I had her barking like a dog.
I expect at least one essay a week like this. K? But she hates cats.
This scene from “Futurama” seems apt, with respect to the discussion about dogs. I could only watch it once (fast forwarded through it just now to be sure it’s the right one). Needless to say, I’m a dog (and cilantro) person.
https://youtu.be/0WBbKSFhw9A?si=NLLrvFwgPU3hRoP2
I have had a dog since my parents brought home a lovely boxer when I was just a year old. Each and every dog has been a blessing, and I couldn't imagine a life without one. That eulogy was perfect, but I think I have something in my eye...
Your analysis is spot on, only the untimely death of a beloved relative is worse than the death of ones dog. Every time it happens I'm completely shattered emotionally; I usually say "Can't get another dog, can't go through this ever again!" Always end up with another one though. All this despite the fact that I really am a cat person.
Lovely tribute to dogs. A dog will give you years of trust, unquestioning loyalty, companionship - and one of the single worst days of your life. I have personally endured several off those final days - it never gets easier. But then, each one is unique, and even within the same breed, different - we never forget the ones we had, but that doesn't diminish the ones we will have. Each one adds to our life experience in its own individual way. Thus I am never without the company of a dog, despite the inevitable heart-breaking ordeal of all those last days that have come before. I know it's coming - but the rewards are commensurate with the grief, and the memories are permanent.
By the way, if you want to experience true love - lock your wife and your dog in the trunk of your car for a day. See who's happy to see you when you let them out.
One of the most touching scenes I recount of the past several years was George Bush’s service dog lying beneath his casket as Bush-‘ body lie in state.
I,too, hate cilantro.
But the love people have for dogs is often duplicated by those of us who love and cherish our cats.
Lola Murray
Actually, my friend Ivan Eland, in his book Recarving Rushmore, argues that Tyler was the best president we ever had. Ivan has met his grandson, by the way.
I read that dog piece something like 60 years ago! So that's who did it. Gotta look Vest up and test myself for cilantro. Oh, I am part of the 29% who find saccharin is not very sweet--why I avoid "diet" foods! So Holmes Jr. was born under W H Harrison! Do research to see who was born under President David Rice Atchison during his one-day Presidency on Sunday, March 4, 1849 except he was never sworn in and spent his term in hiding! FDR to Truman WAS a big change--FDR was a sucker for Stalin and Truman killed the New Deal Foreign Policy quick. Thanks for not liking Wilson!
Regarding Holmes, Jr., on May 6, 1853 his father who was in New York City for a medical convention started back to Boston as expected. But he missed his train! Just over two hours later than train ran through an open drawbridge at South Norwalk CT killing 46 people including several doctors from Boston. (That is still the highest death toll from a RR accident in all New England!). Several Boston newspapers printed flattering obituaries until word got through that Holmes St. had missed the train. Holmes Jr.'s life would have been a lot different if his father had caught that train---and his father is one of those few people who just missed the train that just went through that drawbridge!
I traveled in China for a bit. Neither in China nor elsewhere have I ever (to my knowledge) met someone to whom dogs taste like soap.