A Farewell to the Dog Who Helped Him Off the Streets

Raymond Goynes went uptown to see Sonja one last time on March 8, a sunny Tuesday morning.

He let himself into her owner’s penthouse duplex in Hell’s Kitchen. Sonja, an 11-year-old wheaten terrier, was sprawled on the wool kilim rug in the living room. Her head rested on a towel.

“Look who it is, look who it is!” Sonja’s owner, Mary Kilty, cried.

“Miss Sonja!” Mr. Goynes called out.

For the first time in an hour or so, the little tan dog raised her head.