David Witter

When he was a puppy, I sent my lab/pit bull mix to obedience school. After several sessions he still would not heel or listen and the old German-lady trainer took him by the collar.

"He is an active breed," she said. "But, I will settle him." Sammy bit her and was expelled immediately.

Thoughts of the shouting Angela Lansbury look-alike runs through my mind as Sammy and I walk past the shimmering fountain at the Settimana Café, at 2056 W. Division. "Taking your dog to dinner" is part of a fundraising event for Chenny Troupe, an organization dedicated to providing animal assisted therapy to physically or emotionally challenged individuals.

As we are seated at the sidewalk patio, I notice that there is a dog tethered to almost every other table, most of them smaller, "apartment breeds," like Chow's and Scotties. Sammy, who weighs more than 60 pounds, begins nervously pacing, whining, wrapping the leash around the steel table. He ignores the variety of dog treats offered as part of the donation package. Instead, he spies a large plate of what looks like rack of lamb that a waiter carries. As he places the order on the table next door, Sammy lunges forward. Quickly, I grab the leash just as he places his nose at table level, three feet away from the platter of meat. "Some of the patients the dogs spend time with are mentally ill, and some are isolated," a Chenny Troupe volunteer says. "Dogs don't care, they give attention and love to everyone."

(2005-09-20)

Also by David Witter

Last, last call
It is the last, last call for the Lakeview Lounge
(2005-08-16)

Old Town Blues
If you could combine the shops and ornate wooden homes of San Francisco with the gaslights, brick courtyards and hidden gardens of New Orleans, add in the Chicago architecture of Louis Sullivan, Harry Weese, and a history of counter-culture activities, you might get a snapshot of Chicago's Old Town
(2005-08-02)

Pie-eyed
Three dozen competitors, each standing in front of six half-pound giant slices, are about to begin the Third Annual Bacci World Pizza Eating Championship on West Lawrence Avenue in Schiller Park
(2005-07-21)

Carnies
It is a cool Saturday night, and the streets around Superior, Chicago and Ashland have been cordoned off for the annual carnival at Holy Innocents Church
(2005-06-28)

My parade, part 1
(2005-06-24)

How does your garden grow?
(2005-06-09)

The Life Aquatic
(2005-05-24)

Last of the Slaughterhouses
(2005-05-03)

Paint by numbers
(2005-03-01)

The Death of Neon
(2004-11-30)

Take me to the river
(2004-05-12)

A moll meal
(2004-02-18)

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