The Enduring Bond: Roger Angell, Smooth Fox Terriers, and a Life Well-Lived
For decades, Roger Angell, the celebrated New Yorker writer known for his elegant prose and insightful baseball coverage, found a quiet, profound companionship in smooth fox terriers. More than just pets, these dogs—Andy, and before him, others—became central figures in his later life, offering solace after loss and a gentle rhythm to his days. The story of Angell and his terriers, even as seemingly a personal anecdote, reveals a deeper truth about the human-animal bond and the unexpected sources of comfort and joy in the face of aging and grief. It’s a story that speaks to the simple, yet powerful, connections that shape our lives, and how even the most reserved among us can locate profound meaning in the everyday.
Angell’s affection for the breed began decades earlier, sparked by a fleeting image during a vacation in France. As he recounted, he and his second wife, Carol, spotted a smooth fox terrier prancing along a beach, accompanied by a woman in a bikini. While he insisted his attention was on the dog, the image clearly resonated, leading him to acquire his first smooth fox terrier upon returning to the United States. This initial connection blossomed into a lifelong devotion, with each subsequent terrier—Harry, and then Andy—filling a unique space in his heart. The arrival of Andy in 2012, following the loss of Carol to breast cancer, marked a particularly poignant chapter, as Angell navigated grief and a newfound solitude.
Navigating Loss and Finding Connection
The loss of Carol was deeply felt by Angell, who, despite a long and distinguished career, found himself grappling with practicalities he hadn’t previously faced. He admitted to a lack of domestic skills, relying on friends for simple necessities like delivered meals. Andy, however, became a constant source of comfort and a focal point for renewed engagement with the world. Daily walks with Andy became a ritual, a chance to connect with neighbors and establish a routine. These walks weren’t merely about exercise; they were about re-establishing a presence in the community and finding modest moments of connection after profound loss.
It was during these walks that Angell forged an unlikely friendship with Joseph Chiffriller, a writer and baseball fan who worked as a doorman on Park Avenue. The initial interactions were marked by Chiffriller’s skepticism towards the newcomer, but a shared love of dogs and a mutual respect gradually blossomed into a genuine connection. This illustrates a broader theme in Angell’s life: a quiet ability to forge meaningful relationships, even with those he didn’t initially seek out. The doormen on East Ninetieth Street also became familiar faces, observing and eventually accepting the pair as a regular fixture in the neighborhood.
Andy as a Social Catalyst
Andy wasn’t just a companion for Angell; he was a social catalyst, prompting interactions and sparking conversations. A simple walk around the block often led to repeated stops as people inquired about the dog and Angell himself. One memorable encounter involved a black-and-white Shih Tzu in Central Park, prompting Angell to playfully introduce the dogs with mock formality: “Tumble Gently? Meet Dry Flat.” Another amusing incident occurred when a toddler, upon seeing Andy, innocently asked, “Cow?”—a question his mother quickly corrected with a simple, “No—Harry,” referencing Angell’s favorite children’s book, Harry the Dirty Dog.
Angell’s delight in this misidentification underscored his appreciation for the simple joys of life and his ability to find humor in unexpected moments. Harry the Dirty Dog, a story about a dog who revels in getting muddy, held a special significance for Angell, reminding him of a previous fox terrier also named Harry, a tribute to President Harry Truman. This anecdote reveals a layer of personal history and a fondness for tradition woven into his everyday experiences with Andy.
A Shared Language of Affection
The relationship between Angell and Andy wasn’t always seamless. There were moments of disagreement, even frustration. One evening, after encountering a hostile dog during a walk, Angell’s outrage was met with a characteristic shrug from his wife, who simply remarked, “Yeah, that happened to Gandhi a lot.” This seemingly flippant response, while perhaps initially jarring, highlighted a shared understanding and a quiet acceptance of life’s minor irritations. It was a testament to their deep connection, where a simple gesture from Andy—a wagging tail—was enough to restore equilibrium.
Their shared passion for smooth fox terriers also manifested in their annual viewing of the Westminster Dog Show. Angell, a longtime admirer of the breed, took particular umbrage at the announcer’s recurring description of the smooth fox terrier as having an “easy-care coat.” He would famously retort at the television, questioning the adequacy of such a simplistic assessment. This playful exasperation underscored his deep appreciation for the breed’s unique qualities and his refusal to accept superficial characterizations. It became a running joke, a ritual that added a touch of levity to the event.
Journeys and Memories
Angell and his wife often took Andy on drives in their 1997 Volvo wagon, venturing across the George Washington Bridge to Snedens Landing, a place steeped in Angell’s childhood memories. This location, where he had spent summers with his first wife, Evelyn, held a special significance, offering a connection to his past. They would wander through the ancient cemetery nearby, allowing Andy to explore the headstones while they reflected on their family history. One afternoon, they even experienced a “miracle on Madison Avenue,” finding a parking spot directly in front of their apartment building—a small, but cherished moment of serendipity.
These journeys weren’t just about revisiting familiar places; they were about creating new memories with Andy, weaving him into the fabric of their lives. The simple act of driving, exploring, and sharing quiet moments together strengthened their bond and provided a sense of continuity and belonging. It was a testament to the power of companionship and the ability of a beloved pet to enrich our lives in countless ways.
The Legacy of a Quiet Connection
Roger Angell passed away on May 23, 2023, at the age of 101, leaving behind a remarkable legacy as one of America’s most beloved writers. His story with Andy and the smooth fox terriers serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of companionship, the solace found in simple pleasures, and the enduring power of the human-animal bond. It’s a story that resonates with anyone who has ever experienced the unconditional love and unwavering loyalty of a pet.
While Angell’s literary contributions will undoubtedly be remembered for their wit, insight, and masterful prose, his connection with his smooth fox terriers offers a more intimate glimpse into the heart of a man who found joy in the everyday and meaning in the most unexpected places. The story of Roger Angell and his dogs is a testament to the enduring power of love, loss, and the quiet beauty of a life well-lived.
As the smooth fox terrier continues to be celebrated in the dog show world, and as countless individuals find companionship in their own furry friends, the legacy of Roger Angell and his beloved Andy will continue to inspire and remind us of the profound connections that enrich our lives.
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