The Greenbergs of Arlington: Josh and Jessica, Jake (14), Justine (11) with Rico and George. Photo by Joan Brady
"If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else."
Up against my deadline, I was slogging through multiple scientific studies that show the correlation between doing good for others and happiness, when I came across that Chinese proverb. And I was delighted to find it. It does a good job of characterizing the studies' results and all that technical jargon was, quite frankly, making my eyes glaze over.
Apparently doing good gives way to doing more good. Which is pretty much how things went for the Greenbergs during the pandemic.
Yael Greenberg has a very full and active life. She is involved with her temple, Congregation Beth El in Bethesda, she has a few close friends, she writes and she teaches Hebrew to adults. And, before the pandemic she joined her son, Josh Greenberg, and his wife Jessica for dinner every Friday night. These weekly dinners at the Greenberg's were always lively with the adults, two kids, three cats and their rescue dog, Rico.
When the lockdown happened back in March, the Friday night dinners went on hiatus and many of Yael's other activities moved to Zoom. Jessica and Josh worried that she might get a little lonely and weren't quite sure what they could do.
For years, when the family has gone on vacation, Rico has gotten his own brand of get-away, staying with Yael. The two have always had a special bond. And so, with Yael's approval, Jessica and Josh sent Rico across the river for an extended stay.
Yael says that Rico is a great companion; He loves to walk with her, he is a bridge to interacting with neighbors and is very gentlemanly, making sure she turns for home when he smells rain coming.
The Greenbergs felt great about the arrangement, knowing they did the right thing for Yael. But they didn't realize how much they were going to miss Rico and miss just having a dog, period. According to Jessica they encouraged the cats to entertain the family the way Rico always had, but all three "politely declined."
Rico had come from Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, so they were on the mailing list when the notification went out that 60 dogs were coming in from a high kill shelter in Georgia. Jessica thought that fostering would be perfect. Josh was a bit more skeptical, knowing that Jessica has a tendency to "fall in love with every animal she sees." But Jessica reminded him that they had fostered a clowder of kittens who had all been adopted out. And they both agreed that it would be nice to help a dog as well as to have one around full-time.
They didn't know a lot about George when they went to pick him up and were a bit shocked. At 70 pounds, Jessica described him as "massive." The volunteer referred to him as a "chonk." And they were apprehensive as they read his story through his calloused paws, very raw nose and, worst of all, cigarette burns on his body.
"George was definitely on his best behavior for the first few weeks. No barking, no accidents, no counter surfing and no destroying toys," according to Jessica.
And within days, she started receiving applications to adopt him. But his good behavior, along with his loving nature had paid off. Let someone else adopt George? Well, the kids were having none of that. Eleven and fourteen, they wrote letters to their parents, explaining that "no other family could take as good care of George."
Jessica and Josh had also fallen for the sweet American Bulldog/Lab mix and they decided the kids were right, they were a perfect fit. They have no regrets. "George has been a bright light during difficult and stressful times. His goofy personality and his ability to love are remarkable... We are so blessed to have him."
As for Rico, who goes back and forth now between Bethesda and Arlington these days, he loves George, too. The cats did not respond to requests for comment.
And how does George feel about his new home? According to Jessica, "He loves every aspect of his life and is grateful to have been rescued." And that makes everyone feel just great.
If you are interested in adding a cat, dog or small animal pet to your household, here's a few local rescue organizations who might be able to help you find your perfect match:
Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
Animal Welfare League of Arlington
Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation
ArPets is a weekly feature for highlighting the well-loved pets of Arlington as well as animals who are available for adoption. If you or your dog, cat, iguana, bunny, rat or any other pet, has an interesting pet story to tell, send email to: joan@joanbradyphotography.com.
Joan is an award-winning Connection Newspapers columnist and local photographer specializing in pets, children and families and contemporary business portraits.