Otis

Today is one of those lazy, rainy days that is typical for spring but unexpected for February. It's been drizzling all day and any remnants of snow are being washed away. I was in my back room, watching old episodes of Voyager with wallis and Webster, while working on a few projects. And I happen to notice out of my peripheral view a black beast in my neighbors yard. It turned out to be a big black lab dog sniffing around the back yard. At first I thought it might be new to the neighborhood, one of the units two doors over was rented out to new people, and maybe they have a dog that uses the adjoining back yard. 

But a few moments later and I look up again and see it in my backyard now. Not sure how he got through. He was having a ton of fun just plodding along sniffing and exploring everything. I thought W&W would find him interesting so I had them look out the window. At first they thought I was just being friendly and didn't get what I was after but then the black dog caught their attention and their ears perked up. I don't think they have seen such a big animal before in their very confined life. The biggest dog they've met is Trixie, who they shared the house with.  Anyways, they were intrigued. I wondered if they shared an affinity being both black beasts. But probably they were just happy they had the glass between them and the big beast to protect them.

I noticed the dog had a collar and tags and figured I probably should go out and see if it was friendly and if so bring him home. He probably escaped. I didn't think it through too well, and just grabbed my house keys and threw on my boots and went out the back door. By now, the dog had moved on to my neighbor on the other side of me and was sniffing around. At first I didn't see him but when I called he looked my way and I saw him across the neighbors driveway, looking at me. I called again as friendly as I could and he thought for a moment longer and then lopped over to me and gave me a sniff and let me pet him. He was soaked and I was able to take a look at his tags. He lived on the street behind my house. And his name was Otis - a good name, especially for such a laid back, kind of older dog. 

Now it started dawning on me that I hadn't thought this through. How was I going to get this dog home - I didn't have a leash or rope or anything. And my whole motivation was to prevent the dog from getting run over. I called him - and he did a slow jog over to me again.  He had wandered off to smell the neighbors garden. He seemed to be pretty good at following voice commands and being on the slower older side, didn't seem likely he'd run into the road. 

 I had him cut through the fence back into my yard and walked to the back corner to see if we could get through and cut over to the street behind me. I could kind of step over the half fallen fence, but Otis wouldn't be able to. I look over and Otis was standing over towards the other corner, waiting for me to head that direction. It was kind of funny. He was like, "yeah, I already checked that out and there is no way out that way.  I'll wait for you to figure that out and then you'll come this way where I came from."  We checked the other back corner and again same thing, I could get over but not the dog and Otis was standing part way heading towards the front of the yard. Again, this was the way to go and Otis was just waiting for me to figure it out. As we walked along to the front sidewalk, Otis led the whole way as if he went along this way everyday and knew the way. It was kind of strange how familiar he seemed.  

I had decided we'd take the long way around the block to avoid the traffic on the busy Main Street - where I usually catch my bus. Otis was leading the way and at the end of the driveway, without hesitation, he just turned left - the long and quiet way around. 

Otis walked ahead, leading the way, sniffing here and there and sometimes, falling behind to sniff a bush, while I was walking along. I'd call and he'd reluctantly give up the sniffing and come along, getting back into the front and leading the way. 

I was relieved otis was so well behaved and laid back. And I was also realizing again how I hadn't thought this through. Walking along my hands were getting nippy and my glasses were getting wet with the light drizzle. I hadn't grabbed a jacket or anything else and only had a sweatshirt on. Luckily it was an above average warmish day. 

As we got to the corner I noticed someone was coming out of the corner house. I was a bit worried they'd say something about Otis not being on leash.  And as we turned the corner, again, no pause on Otis's part, he knew the way home. The older lady fell into step a bit behind us and made a comment that he was so good at staying close. I responded that Otis wasn't actually mine and I was able to share about my quest to return the dog. Which she responded about it was good that he had found me. And I got my hit of my dogoodery being acknowledged. Strange how self centered we can be. Well, Otis and I get to the next corner, and Otis leading the way turned and shortly started walking in the street. I called for him to come back to the sidewalk and he did but he kept heading close to the road and again went as if to cross the road. This time I figured I shouldn't fight nature. Clearly Otis knew the way home and although we hadn't got to the houses yet, he knew the even number houses were on the other side and we had to cross. As we were heading along, getting closer to his house, he trotted along, I think happy to get home, or maybe I was just projecting. 

And then, Otis cuts across the yard and I thought, oh we've arrived, but we were one house off (his address was 30 and this was house 32). And I look back at Otis and find him in the poop squat and he sheepishly returns my look. Clearly he knew his journey was coming to the end and he should wrap up his business. I felt weird leaving the poop, but I didn't have any bags on me. Ironically, if I had grabbed my jacket, it had a plastic bag in the pocket. 

Otis and I turn at the next driveway and it was one of the long driveways leading to a "middle" house. In my neighborhood, we have an interesting urban development where there are a bunch of old big houses in the center of the blocks with only a driveway connecting them to the street. I think originally the houses had beautiful acreage and slowly over time lots were sold off along the streets and the area become more dense. I've lived here for years and still discover new houses tucked away on my walks. Well, this one was a new one that I hadn't noticed before. As I walk up the driveway, Otis still leading, although he does wander off into the side bushes to sniff, I'm able to unabashedly check out this hidden house. It's a three story Victorian built in 1885. And recently renovated with great attention to detail. A beautiful and still generous yard is well landscaped and the old carriage house has three cars including two different types of Tesla's. I'm suddenly very self conscious I'm in my house clothes and a bit shabby in comparison.

Ottis has joined me again and I head to the back door (which clearly is the main entrance used) which probably has a mud room to handle a wet and muddy dog. As I knock on the door, Otis is having a drink from a puddle. A preteen boy answers and is very polite and appreciative that I've returned Otis. He mentioned they have been looking for him and I share he was over on the next street over. And I mention the poop deposit, even offering to pick it up, but the boy insists he'll take care of it.  He thanks me profusely and Otis runs in, comfortably at home. And I head off home - the short way. I realized, I could have taken Otis this way, although I'm not sure he could jump up the big step. Anyways, it was a good walk and good timing midday to get out and get a little exercise, no matter if I was underprepared jacket wise. 

When I got home, I was curious and looked up the house on Zillow. It was estimated to be $2.5 million about double the other high priced houses in the neighborhood. Although it was last sold in the 90s for about what my place is worth. As I was walking home I reflected on how nice the house was and I got an envious wish I had something bigger and grandeur. It was an initial gut reaction and having been reading and studying behavioral psychology, it got me thinking about some new topics and approaches to life which was really good for my creative juices and the project I'm working on at the moment. Strange how something we're really happy with can quickly become our norm and we want something bigger and better. 

I also reflected on my first interaction with Otis. I wonder when I called him to come over and he paused, he was thinking if he was ready for his journey to be over. He was clearly not in distress and enjoying his explorations but he was so well behaved he knew he had to come along when called. 

Well, all in all, a fun journey and I'm half hoping Otis escapes and visits us again. But not really since there are a lot of cars, even on the quieter streets. I'm hoping when spring comes and I'm gardening in the front yard Otis will be walked by one of his owners in front of my house and I can say hi again. He was such a laid back, cool, dog. Glad he got home safe and sound.