First crossed paths with him in the neighborhood back in the early 1990s. Didn’t know who he was, but he just lit right up when he saw my great old hound Brutus. He clearly was a dog lover.

Later, when I realized it was the dog-loving priest preaching in Immaculate Conception, and he started talking about his latest book, the dots began to connect.

That led me to First Things and many months in the archives.

I hate to use such a crass term, but I was a fan of Father Neuhaus. Loved to listen to him. Loved On The Square. Loved his sermons in church. He was just a wonderful man and for him it began and ended with Jesus Christ.

And I hope that if that fine dog of his survived him that someone who loved dogs as much as he did got custody.