A Farewell to the Dog Who Helped Him Off the Streets

March 19, 2016 2:32 PM

   Raymond Goynes went uptown to see Sonja one last time on March 8, a sunny Tuesday morning. He let himself into her owner’s penthouse duplex in Hell’s Kitchen. Sonja, an 11-year-old wheaten terrier, was sprawled on the wool kilim rug in the living room. Her head rested on a towel.
   “Look who it is, look who it is!” Sonja’s owner, Mary Kilty, cried.
   “Miss Sonja!” Mr. Goynes called out. For the first time in an hour or so, the little tan dog raised her head.
posted by Johnny Wallflower (16 comments total)

I'M NOT CRYING YOU'RE CRYING SHUT UP
posted by Harvey Jerkwater at 2:38 PM on March 19, 2016 [33 favorites]

brb, giving my little one some scratches and ear rubs.
posted by sektah at 2:43 PM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

oh god no not tonight not ready to cry that hard
posted by allthinky at 2:45 PM on March 19, 2016

Damn onions.
posted by Xyanthilous P. Harrierstick at 3:00 PM on March 19, 2016

.
posted by ambulocetus at 3:16 PM on March 19, 2016

Such a beautiful and heartbreaking story. *tries not to cry*
posted by marienbad at 3:19 PM on March 19, 2016

A happy cry and a sad cry simultaneously
posted by gaspode at 3:41 PM on March 19, 2016

Mary Kilty, bless you for saying yes.
posted by Kloryne at 3:44 PM on March 19, 2016 [15 favorites]

Dogs are wonderful. And some people, too.
posted by TedW at 3:57 PM on March 19, 2016 [4 favorites]

I reject the dichotomy between dogs and people.
posted by You Can't Tip a Buick at 4:43 PM on March 19, 2016 [2 favorites]

Dogs save lives.
posted by mochapickle at 4:50 PM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]

I really want to get him his own dog. Plus inject Sonja with some water from the Fountain of Life.
posted by bearwife at 5:43 PM on March 19, 2016

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posted by WalkerWestridge at 5:59 PM on March 19, 2016

.
posted by Joey Michaels at 12:41 AM on March 20, 2016

It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them, and every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are. - Anonymous

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posted by BigHeartedGuy at 1:01 AM on March 20, 2016 [11 favorites]

.
posted by annieb at 12:05 PM on March 20, 2016