at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, 2006
Every year, for as long as I can remember, I walk a dog or bring my own dogs to The Plaza at Rockefeller Center, to visit “the tree.” I don’t have many Christmas traditions, but, checking out the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree with my dogs has been my one holiday tradition and joy.
Soon after the tree had been raised this year, but, before it was decorated, I walked with Rochester (the Springer Spaniel) thirty blocks downtown to Rockefeller Center to check out the tree. As we approached the plaza, a guard rushed up to us and stuck his hand in my face and pronounced “no dogs allowed.”
What? Since when? The guard said it was the policy, set by Jerry Speyer (Tishman-Speyer Properties) Believe me when I say I was deeply hurt and walked away with my tail between my legs. Imagine a year without Christmas. That’s what it feels like to me. This is my first year without a visit to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree with my dogs and for us, it is a year without Christmas.I wonder if Matt Lauer and Meredith Viera and Al Roker of The Today Show are aware of this new restriction?
I watched the Tree Lighting ceremony on TV and when I saw the smiling Grinch-Jerry Speyer, I had to turn the program off.
I’m tired of tilting at windmills, otherwise I would make a huge public stink about this. I think it is a very sad commentary on New York and dogs.
Suffice to say, shame on Jerry Speyer and Tishman-Speyer Properties, the real estate Grinches of NYC.
