Nevertheless, we obtained the paperwork he needed for a green card. He was processed in L.A. It took more than a year, and several months of active nagging by mail and phone, for him to receive his card. When he finally did, his country of origin was incorrectly stated. Instead of an Australian, I was now cohabiting with a French Polynesian! Lucky for us, that country was not currently looked at suspiciously by immigration agents. I can't imagine the trouble if he'd been incorrectly classified as from Afghanistan or Iraq.
After more than a year of trying to get the matter corrected and a visa reissued, we've given up. I worry about what may happen when we go home to visit family and try to re-enter. Other Australians have told us not to worry; most of them have incorrect information on their green cards as well. This doesn't seem to bother the immigration officials in the least.
Sigh.
We have no hope of the United States' managing the entry of potentially threatening characters if they can't even get the "simple" stuff right.
Cassandra North
The Woodlands
Read This, Mr. K
Bichon bliss: I adopted Cherie five weeks ago from Small Paws ["Those Bichon Mutts," by Josh Harkinson, March 25]. My bichon Lucy died Christmas Eve. She had traveled with me since she was six weeks old. My business is nursing homes. Needless to say, I was heartbroken. Lucy was born with a sever subaortic valve stenosis, which was not repairable.
Once you own the breed, you will always own at least one bichon. The adoption experience with Small Paws was great. Everyone is so loving. Cherie is happy and healthy. She has been in 11 of my facilities. She is so friendly; the patients love her. It is amazing to watch even disoriented patients respond to her.
She has helped fill the huge empty space in my life.
Donna Davis
Louisville, Kentucky
Gray Matter
Injuries and work:Spalding Gray had brain damage ["Stage Death," by John Penner, April 15]. Yet he tried to work as if he were not hurt. My husband was brain-damaged eight years ago, and it took several difficult years for the doctors and me to convince him he could never work again.
One night, he finally accepted this. He had a dream where he tried to get into his office but the door was locked, and he looked over his shoulder to see me crying on the staircase by the elevators, begging him to come home.
He never asked about working again. And he is, miraculously, much better now.
It was very hard for him.
Elaine Supkis
Berlin, New York
Emotional story: We really appreciate your article about Spalding Gray. I gave a copy to the director of the Hippodrome Theater here, Lauren Caldwell, and she was very emotionally moved also.
Keep up the good work!
Carol Faas
Gainesville, Florida
