Is there any doubt that our dogs own our hearts, utterly and completely? If you’re like me, you never or hardly ever get mad at your dog, even if he or she – like my pooch Roxie – scratches up a couch pillow or pees on the lovely carpet brought back from Israel or snatches your bagel and lox from the kitchen table when you leave the room for three minutes to answer the doorbell. I usually assume her behavior is my fault. Unless I catch her in the act, which I never do. Wha

I was driving on the San Diego Freeway, the 405 between Marina del Rey and Hermosa Beach, on a Wednesday morning, happily thinking about lunch. I was meeting a friend in Torrance for a few hours of pastrami sandwiches and catching up. The freeway was busy, as always, not moving very fast. I was relaxed, listening to Broadway show music on my car radio, singing along to “My Fair Lady” tune. Suddenly there were three fierce popping sounds from the passenger side of my car.

On the first night of Hanukah Tom and I had the worst meal we had eaten in the 40 years of our marriage. Well, since we threw most of it...

My iPhone, placed next to my bed, jarred me with fierce ringing at 6:37 one recent morning. I shook my head awake and answered it. Of...