People in my Neighborhood, Part II

Another member of my neighborhood is a gentleman named Juan. He's probably in his late 50s, Dominican and he works as a doorman on the Upper East Side. He is the proud owner of a rather stocky old chihuahua named Clifford. He takes Clifford out for his morning walk every day at the same time that I take my morning promenade to the garage to retrieve Angus.

Clifford is never en leash and he runs along the parameters of the grass patches of the old cemetery, peeing errantly, sniffing pavement and chasing small brown sparrows. Clifford darts, zig zags and stares at you with a nervous glare. I've grown fond of him.

Juan stands at the peak of the hill and lets Clifford run askew. Likely from habit, Clifford remains on the grass and never indulges in the temptation of running into the street. If Juan calls Clifford in his heavily accented voice or blows a sharp whistle, Clifford turns heel and races in a curious gait at full speed up the hill to Juan. It's a sweet relationship.

Today as I walked to my garage, I saw Clifford attempting a pre-pee leg lift on a pile of garbage bags along his usual grassy territory. I pulled out my blackberry to document the appearance of this delightful canine. In his true fashion, Clifford darted from me and ran hither and yon from my camera distracted by birds and pedestrians and smells.

Suddenly I heard Juan, stationary in his usual spot and decked out in his smart uniform, whistle sharply for Clifford. Clifford dashed to him. As I reached the top of the hill, I saw Clifford swirling between Juan's legs and a well abused fire hydrant.

"You try to take a picture of Clifford?" he asked. He pronounces the name Cleeeeford. I love that.

I nodded. "He's too fast for me," I replied.

Suddenly, Juan whistled for Clifford. He picked Clifford up and held him up to me. Clifford twisted, contorted and did chihuahua like things. "Take the picture," Juan instructed.

I did get the picture, although I was laughing so hard when I took it that the picture was off center.

Meet Clifford, people.