Ana Rogers grew up in Westport. For the past 11 years she’s owned a dog-walking business. Something happened at Winslow Park a few weeks ago that she thought deserved mention on “06880.” It sure does! Ana writes:
I was on my last walk of the day, with 5 of my most well-behaved dogs. Winslow Park was almost empty.
I bumped into Mike Greenberg and his German shepherd, Luna. Mike grew up in Westport, and designs and builds beautiful houses. (He’s not to be confused with the other Mike Greenberg, the sports broadcaster and writer, whose dog I happened to be walking.)
Mike the builder and I don’t know each other well. But he’s good friends of a friend of mine. We decided to do a loop around the trails together.
It was a cold day. The dogs were frisky and playful.
German shepherds — and labs, and every other kind of dog — love Winslow Park. (Photo/Tracy Porosoff)
Halfway around the loop, a golden retriever I was walking ran from behind me, and clipped my right side. My feet went out from under me, and I put out my right arm to break my fall.
The impact jammed all my weight into my elbow. I knew right away something was terribly wrong.
The dogs also sensed it. One licked my face as I lay on the ground.
Mike tried to help me up several times, but I felt like I was going to faint. This went on for 20 minutes. No one passed us the entire time.
Finally, I was able to stand. Mike helped me back to my car. He suggested I call the owners to come pick up their dogs. But no one was home.
Mike Greenberg
Mike realized he could not leave me there. I was in shock, and unable to drive. So he loaded the dogs in my car, and added his to the group.
We dropped the 5 dogs off: one by Clinton Avenue, then over to Marion Road, then toward the beach on Grove Point.
When the last dog was dropped off, Mike took me to Norwalk Hospital. I had 2 broken bones in my elbow. I’m in a splint for 6 weeks, then physical therapy.
I know Mike had other plans that afternoon — I heard him cancel some appointments.
The entire ordeal took a few hours. But the entire time Mike was cheerful, trying to distract me from my pain and distress.
I don’t know what I would have done if Mike Greenberg hadn’t been there. He was my guardian angel — and my unsung hero.