When a train hit a dog at Walnut Street station a few days before Christmas, we posted a story about it and were roundly criticized for bumming everybody out. A lot of the ire was directed at NJ.com blogger Joel Schwartzberg, who saw the accident and blogged about it.
Well, there’s no more Christmas season to ruin, and there’s almost a week until Martin Luther King Day. Schwartzberg was back yesterday with a blog followup to his original post. And this time, he gave readers a heads up.

Fair warning this time: What follows are details about the fate of a dog hit by a train in Montclair. If this topic offends, clinically depresses, or traumatically bores you, please return immediately to watching reality television, posting about New Jersey state politics, trimming your cuticles, or whatever else rocks your world.


It turns out the dog – a German Shepard now called “Monty” – survived, but will not walk again. Word went out to animal rescue lists around New Year’s and Monty. Schwartzberg got a note from a rescuer named Rosemary.

Monty is in a temporary foster home until I can get him to Donna’s home in Hamburg, PA. Yesterday, I took him to a neurologist in Norristown, PA. We learned that surgery will not improve the odds Monty will walk again. We are going to be putting him in a wheel chair. We have two available, but if they won’t fit, we will special-order a chair for him. Eventually we will be taking Monty to water therapy, which can sometimes lead to some pretty miraculous recoveries.

She went on to say that, throughout the ordeal, Monty has never growled or try to nip anyone, and has become known to dog rescuers throughout the country. Read more about Monty, including how to send money for his rehabilitation, here.

105 replies on “The Train and the Dog, Part II”

  1. If this topic offends, clinically depresses, or traumatically bores you, please return immediately to watching reality television, posting about New Jersey state politics, trimming your cuticles, or whatever else rocks your world.
    What a sarcastic little douchebag.

  2. I agree, DYHAGP:
    I feel bad for the dog but I am glad to see he is being kept warm and comfortable, even though he is not predicted to be able to walk again. There are good people in the world, I get it.
    As for Schwartzberg, well he just comes across as another sanctimonious twit on a high horse. Unfortunately, there is no short supply of them.

  3. Joel Schwartzberg sounds like a self-centered ass. (Apparently, too, he’s a pal of at least one of the Baristas, since otherwise his snarling wouldn’t rate mention. Particularly at such length.) He’s still not much of a writer, either.
    Also, Debbie, it really is a German “shepherd.”

  4. careful everyone, he’ll label you a “troll” again. Remember he writed for the Huffington Post. A little deference, people!

  6. ROC, I’ve been labeled a “troll” before by “better” folk, so a little Joel Schwartzberg (which goes a looonnng way even in Baristaville and on NJ.com) isn’t going to bother me. Remember our pal Butch?

  7. Not only were you (and I) labeled trolls, Cathar, we were accused of being part of a coalition of trolls. (8T)

  8. It must pain Schwartzberg to have to live among such a crowd of folks who are clearly not his intellectual equals. Still, he soldiers on, fighting the good fight and trying his best to bring enlightenment to the dim denizens of Baristaville. He desreves some sort of medal, both for his selfless dedication to animal welfare and his persistence in rowing his boat of compassion against the tides of ignorance.
    As me old da would say, he’s as solid as soup.

  9. It just occurs to me that, while I theorized that Joel Schwartzberg is very probably a pal of at least one of the Baristas, he’s also been thrown to the “wolves” here again. So with “friends” like these…
    (And yes, even on what seemingly bids fair to be a slow news day.)

  10. A coalition of trolls??? Oh, my…
    Glad to hear Monty’s future looks somewhat bright…he is a survivor.

  11. Where is the outrage? This dog is suffering. The poor animal should be assigned a lawyer by the state, who should sue on his behalf. Why shouldn’t animals have legal representation in our system? They have rudimentary consciousness, after all–certainly no less than many posters here.
    The other crime is that the dog was struck by a train that was probably half empty because most people are lazy and like to drive their cars. If there was enough mass transit in this town, the tracks would have been busy with trains and the dog never would have gotten onto the tracks. Better yet, eventually society will evolve beyond anybody having to go anywhere and we can all work locally, eat locally and act locally. The roads will be empty and the train tracks will be quiet, animals will roam without fear, humans will live in tune with nature and such tragedies will no longer occur.
    I shall dedicate myself to delivering this future, even to you ungrateful philistines.

  12. I used to tune into Bnet for info that no one else had, not the Star Ledger, NYT, etc…but it seems there is always rehashed newspaper stories from days ago. Please get back to the inside scoop…news that you could only get from Bnet. No coverage about the huge New Years Eve party that occurred resulting in the pumping of an eighth graders stomach, no news of any of the sports teams regardless if they are doing well. No follow up on the Njsiaa transfer rules regarding Shaq Thomas. How about follow up on how the new and improved Clary Anderson is affecting the town?
    Please get back to the insider info that we use to find here.

  13. “As for Schwartzberg, well he just comes across as another sanctimonious twit on a high horse. Unfortunately, there is no short supply of them.”
    Dear Lord you people really are clueless!

  14. “As for Schwartzberg, well he just comes across as another sanctimonious twit on a high horse. Unfortunately, there is no short supply of them.”
    Dear Lord you people really are clueless!

  15. Has there ever been much local sports coverage? Deb has pretty strong “anti-Jock” feelings from the posts I’ve read.

  16. Mathilda, if the tracks were any busier, the poor dog might have gotten hit by two trains–and not survived…My goodness, imagine your reaction if the poor thing had gotten hit by an SUV…

  17. But Montclair is a town with a rich local heritage of high school sports success, ROC. Do most posters even know who Clary Anderson was? (And he was nationally prominent during his heyday.)

  18. oh, I agree cathar. I just don’t think you’ll ever see much sports coverage here.

  19. “How about follow up on how the new and improved Clary Anderson is affecting the town?”
    Or the “fire” at Olympic

  22. Kind of like why many posts are “created” and run here, no, RaeVen?
    Mathilda is brilliant. Long may “she” reign! We need a whole lot more of her and whole lot less of Joel Schwartzberg.

  23. We need more jock stories about throwing millions into fieldhouses. Peeps shooting themselves, raising pitbulls for fighting and more divorce stories…and how about an instructional Youtube video on how to do endzone dances!…Can’t wait!
    PAZ in SAN

  24. While usually pretty easygoing, I too found the tone of the poster to be annoying and condescending. I’d likely have forgiven this had the poster rescued, paid for the rehab, or adopted Montie. Since that’s obviously not the case, I consider it b.s..

  27. “The town’s animal control department was considering euthanizing him until Rosemary, who runs a dog rescue program in Philadelphia called Faith’s Hope, stepped in.”
    Sounds about right under the new Hartnett policies.
    Donations can be sent to this 501c3:
    Last Hope Safe Haven, Inc.
    c/o Dawn Restuccia
    24 Heather Lane
    Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
    Or pay pal to with a note in the memo block: windwych-at-yahoo.com
    Put in the memo:”Monty Fund,” but please put Monty himself in your thoughts.

  28. “Sounds about right ”
    Of course it’s “about right”. All paralyzed unclaimed animals should be euthanized unless someone volunteers to take them in.

  29. Thanks for posting the donation info, Hiding, but I wouldn’t expect a deluge of donations from this crowd.

  30. “The roads will be empty and the train tracks will be quiet, animals will roam without fear…But beware the beast Man, for he is the Devil’s pawn. Alone among God’s primates, he kills for sport or lust or greed. Yea, he will murder his brother to possess his brother’s land. Let him not breed in great numbers, for he will make a desert of his home and yours. Shun him; drive him back into his jungle lair, for he is the harbinger of death.”
    — Intergalactic seer Mathilius, ruler of the Planet of the Apes and fair space trade advocate. [2301-2553]

  31. Well, Roc, thank God someone offered to take Monty in. MA and PA have some very compassionate residents. Monty is a great dog deserving of a good life. It’s too bad his owners didn’t give a damn about him and not only allowed this to happen to him but didn’t bother claiming him either. Dogs are resilient and he’ll do well. He’s a gentle, loving, forgiving creature which is more than I can say for most of the people who post here.

  32. “All paralyzed unclaimed animals should be euthanized unless someone volunteers to take them in.”
    Substitute the phrase “unclaimed animals” with “unloved people” and you’d all be outraged. And yet the two statements are morally equivalent.
    Would you assassinate your unwanted grandmother because her wheelchair couldn’t navigate the steps of your front porch? Would you assassinate your unwanted child because his feeding tube made annoying slurping sounds? Would you assassinate your unwanted wife because you couldn’t be bothered to change her depends?

  33. Right on, Mathilda! Normally, I laugh at your posts but I think (I hope?) you’re serious with this one. ITA!

  34. The taxpayer can’t run or fund a lifetime convalescent home for paraplegic animals.
    My goodness are there any adults left anymore?

  35. If society can afford billions of dollars on war and DisneyWorld, it can care for its animals, who have every right to a satisfying and fulfilled life.

  36. I am thrilled that Monty is OK and has a place to go. But at the same time, there are currently scores of healthy animals in shelters on death row simply because there are too many animals. While individuals and rescue groups are often compelled to respond to a special needs animal like Monty, we also need to step up to the plate for the healthy animals in danger of death. PAWS was able to place every animal before relinquishing the facility, even if it was to another rescue group. This type of response should be standard practice, not solely a response to a crisis.

  37. Disney World is a proate organization that makes money thru tickets sales, movies sales, toys etc. It is not a financial burden on society. wow mathilda – I was one of the few who didn’t think you were crazy…until now.
    What is next – the Gap is dragging down social security? Williams Sonoma is responsible for world hunger?

  38. “This type of response should be standard practice, not solely a response to a crisis.”
    Excellen post, Nellie. If every negative poster gave up 1 or two Starbucks or whatever coffees/week (especially if they have animals of their own) and sent that money to their local animal shelter or rescue it would help considerably. Actually putting in an hour or two volunteering at one in addition would be a Godsend.

  39. Plural group names are much fun (“an ascension of larks”, “a mustering of storks”, “a smack of jellyfish”), but I don’t think “a coalition of trolls” is the correct plural form.
    I vote for a “a repellence of trolls” or perhaps a “a revolt of trolls”. More appropriate, no?

  41. A “financial burden” on society? hrhppg, just WHERE do you think most of the animals in shelters and rescues come from? Irresponsible, uncaring, sometimes downright evil members of “society”! The people who run the rescues and man the shelters and volunteer what little free time they have to care for the throwaways “society” can’t be bothered with are doing heroic work. If you want to see financial burdens, check out anylocal town hall or county office. THAT’s where the financial burdens are to be found.

  44. Spicoli, I believe that it is an “exaltation of larks”.
    My favourite is an “unkindness of ravens”.

  46. at the “PAWS rate” per animal it would take about 303 deferred starbucks coffees for each animal.
    And that’s not the paraplegic ones, or ones needing dialysis or bone marrow transplants or psychotherapy.

  52. Oh, my sides! Way too funny for the room RoC. BTW – it should be “a banda fools” but heck, even the great ones make mistakes.

  53. How about a confederacy of trolls?
    As per Jonathan Swift, “when a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in confederacy against him.” I bet Joel Schwartzberg can relate to that sentiment.

  57. OMG!!! in three hours 53 posts about a dog. In 22 hours one post about needy neighbors and it came from the “Loon” (admittedly a very funny loon) Please get some perspective or help.

  71. A miasma of mikeys and a lode of laserboys.
    And no, Schwartzberg was not treated “unfairly.’ He didn’t like folks’ reaction to his blogging, that they didn’t properly appreciate what he wrote and his superior sensitivity annoyed him no end. So he lashed back at them in a condescending fashion. He deserves all the criticism he gets. Not least because he seems to be just a writer prone to the worst sort of cliches but much convinced of his own self-importance within the local body politic.

  72. What I meant to say, cathar, is not that lasertwerp has anything that approaches a prose style, but rather than his posts are usually clearly recognizable. Like yours. But I suspect you already knew that and were just, as they say on EastEnders, having a go.

  74. Yay, more name-calling! This never gets old. I’m so glad I keep coming back to this site. Whatever would I do without my daily intake of dog slideshows, regurgitated news stories, and the battle of overly wordy insults.

  75. You might as well give the whole spiel:
    Dominus noster Jesus Christus te absolvat; et ego auctoritate ipsius te absolvo ab omni vinculo excommunicationis (suspensionis) et interdicti in quantum possum et tu indiges.
    Deinde, ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.

  76. Really buttmunch, the purpose of that graphic description of his pain was to find his owner? Really?
    Excuse me, I have to get back to torturing small children in my basement now…
    love, troll

  78. “…he seems to be just a writer prone to the worst sort of cliches but much convinced of his own self-importance within the local body politic.”
    Clueless, the lot of ya! And just too damned funny.

  79. “…he seems to be just a writer prone to the worst sort of cliches but much convinced of his own self-importance within the local body politic.”
    Clueless, the lot of ya! And just too damned funny.

  81. Sorry dearie. Not Joel, but I will add that name to the list of other’s who people “know” I am.

  83. Well, I appreciate the update on Monty’s recovery, and the opportunity to donate to the rescue (which I just did).
    Now I’m going to take my 3 beasties for a nice, long walk, followed by lots of hugs and treats.

  87. So, all this is not being paid for by a private individual for their own pet.
    Not only is Joel sanctimonious, he’s just looking for the awwww. If he wrote of the heart breaking incident and adopted the dog paying all the bills, respect, no question. For this to cost more than the shot that would have put the dog out of it’s misery + cremation costs is absolutely wrong on many levels, not least of which is how many healthy “pets” will be put down because the money was spent on a homeless, paralyzed dog.
    Shoot, I’ll take donations for the multi-thousands it cost to have my cat’s front leg pinned in two places, please help, times are pretty bad now.
    At least they shoot horses no matter how much that hurts when it’s necessary
    Humanity towards animals and common sense don’t seem to always go hand in hand.

  88. You know what, Pokey? Either you get it or you don’t. Clearly you and the rest of the denizens of Baristaville don’t.
    Don’t strain yourselves Roc, Cathar and whomever else to come up with yet another witty put down. I’m immune by now. You guys are pikers compared to the people I’ve gone up against.

  89. Just to be fair I took the time to read the last 8 posts on Joel’s blog on NJ.com., going back to August of last year, which have generated less than 20 comments (that’s total, not per), I found no great prose, information or for that matter inspiration and would advise him to give up his day job.
    Karen Banda, I get it. You don?t.

  90. We won’t strain ourselves, karen banda, because your own prose, let alone Joel Schwartzberg’s strained “prize-winng essays,” can’t justify the effort even on a very slow news day indeed.
    And I doubt very much you’ve ever “gone up against” any first stringers in this respect, dear. If you have, you’ve certainly, as they say at racetracks, dropped way down in class for this one, eh? We’re ALL claimers here, Baristas and post subjects and respondents alike, you know?
    But y’all have a nice day anyhow.

  91. >
    Hey, thanks for making up for that lack of comments on my blogs (about which I couldn’t care less) with the motherlode here. And thanks for the extra hits on my blog too. Much appreciated — you’ve helped make me quite popular.

  92. >
    Hey, thanks for making up for that lack of comments on my blogs (about which I couldn’t care less) with the motherlode here. And thanks for the extra hits on my blog too. Much appreciated — you’ve helped make me quite popular.
    It takes quite a person to throw insults at someone for merely caring about a dog and writing about it.

  93. Yah for Monty! I was told he was put to sleep because he had no where to go, so I am very glad to hear this news!

  95. “… you’ve helped make me quite popular.”
    That’s what it’s really all about, right? I knew the truth would come out sooner or later.

  96. He was no messenger, just another overly sensitive person, like the ones that think thinning a herd of overpopulated deer is cruel.
    It’s great we can save a beloved pet in this modern age, I’ve done it, once was a stray beagle with a crushed hip, the only donation to the vet bill was ours.
    This is no child with cancer or even someone’s pet apparently. The counter opinion is not lack of caring, it’s the donated money being used to save one dog and make a few people feel good. I don’t buy it, and that’s my opinion, you do what you want with your money.
    Congrats on the increased popularity of your blog/column Joel, the comments increased 200 to 400% over other posts, 4 and counting.

  97. Ouch Cathar, you told her! And Pokey, good one! Bang, zoom!
    What you all still don’t get is that the responses to Joel’s post (at least the ones that set you all off) were about the dog, not Joel. But don’t let that stop you. Carry on.

  98. Why yes, Joelscorp, you’re “popular” right now. Not as much as Sally Field once was, but surely as much as lasermikey ever is. (You still manage to sound like a pompous ass, nonetheless, which is something that mikey can never quite manage.)
    You too, SirGadfly.
    Both of you are (dare I say it, no pun intended) lucky dogs today.

  99. I for one am very glad to hear the good news that the dog is being given love, care and attention. Thanks for posting the link and I’m going to go donate to his rehabilitation.

  100. I for one am very glad to hear the good news that the dog is being given love, care and attention. Thanks for posting the link and I’m going to go donate to his rehabilitation.

  101. I heard that the Shepherd that I rescued on 12/13 is doing well at Bukowski. His name is Joshua. I wish I could adopt him but I’m maxed out on medical expenses and upkeep on my four cats.
    If anyone is interested in a sad-eyed Shepherd that likes tuna fish maybe he’s your guy.
    One more rabies shot to go.

  102. SirG, you must also notice that the post is about Joel’s piece, no?
    As far as the dog, my opinion hasn’t changed from it being heartbreaking but putting the dog down ASAP was the humanitarian thing to do. The fact that after much pain and suffering, the dog will be happy with a doggie wheel chair at a hugh expense actually makes it worse in my opinion.
    I care about animals but my views aren’t shaped by the fantasy world of Walt Disney. But you do what’s right for you, and they’re not called hatd choices for nothing.
    MB your only mistake was with the food dish, sorry that was a painful lesson, twice.
    Mauigirl52, I’m glad you have disposable income, I hope you are also shopping at Whole Foods today.

  103. Mellon,
    is the rabies shot for you?
    If it’s for your cats:
    The Township offers Rabies Vaccinations free of cost to Bloomfield residents. Please call 973-680-4024 for additional information.

  104. Joel
    “It takes quite a person to throw insults at someone for merely caring about a dog and writing about it.”
    Couldn’t agree with you more but there are quite a few “quite a person”s on this site. They can throw insults at anyone anytime.

  105. Hi Mellon! I’ve seen “your” shepherd at the shelter. He’s got to be the saddest looking German Shepherd I’ve ever seen! He’s doing well, getting walks every day, and everyone loves him. They were also happy to hear you don’t hold that bite against him! He’s been a very good boy since he’s been there. With luck he’ll find just the right home and he’ll never go hungry again (cue the theme to Gone With the Wind). I hope you’re doing better. You’re a good man!

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