Ozzie is an ancient Boston terrier who lives one street over from us. Ozzie frequently escapes his yard, and when he does, he runs right to our house.
The first time it happened, he scratched at our side door and barked to be let in, like it was a totally normal occurrence. Mostly, though, he runs over and just sort of hangs out in the garden along our driveway until we spot and grab him or his boy comes to collect him. He’s a sweet dog, but it’s incredibly dangerous behavior for all the obvious reasons and for one more big one: Ozzie is blind.
Then, one day last week, I sent John a text: “There was a dog in our yard.”
There wasn’t currently a dog in our yard.
I just knew one had been there.
Two reasons: there was poop that didn’t belong to these three, and their behavior was high-alert, running around, sniffing, and marking – exactly how they behave at the dog park. I just knew.
But our yard is fully fenced in, so we were trying to come up with an idea for what to do about the gate (put a padlock on it? how did it get open in the first place? did the meter reader leave it open? that’s so dangerous! but then did he come back to close it? basically… huh?) and we were checking the bottom of the fence line for places where it’s not even with the ground. There are quite a few, but none big enough for our guys. So, John put it on his weekend list to use some fallen branches to cover those spots, and we resolved to do something about the gate, too.
Last night, John was doing an overnight experiment so it was just me and the herd. I was washing dishes when there was a knock at the side door. I put the boys in the bedroom and answered the door.
“My dog’s in your backyard,” the man said.
Huh?! I ushered him through the house and to the backyard. I opened the back door…
and there was Ozzie, standing in the middle of our yard.
I whistled, and he came running… and smashed into the bottom step leading into the house.
“Yeah, he’s blind, but he gets around pretty good,” the man said.
Ozzie ran in the house and started checking things out. The boys, meanwhile, were losing their minds in the bedroom, but I was SO GLAD I put them in there. Who knows how they would’ve reacted to this strange, blind, little dog who was strutting all around their house? And imagine if I had just let them out into the yard… Whoo, boy.
Anyway, the guy (whose name I totally didn’t ask because I was so flustered) says there’s a loose board somewhere in here:
He must be super motivated to get in our yard to push through all that. While blind!
So John’s weekend list just got a little longer. Further, I’m instating a new policy: Instead of opening the door to let the boys out, I’m putting them in a “wait,” and going out myself to check for dear Ozzie first.
Always something…
please, please please don’t get offended I have a lot of problems with this, the same issues you have but one that you probably didn’t think about at the time. John is gone, you’re home alone, lock the boys in a room and let a strange man into your house. I know it was a neighbour but what if? my biggest fear is someone using my daughters love and caring nature towards animals to harm her or take advantage of her. I know you’re an adult, not a 15 year old but that story sounded just like a Halloween thriller. Glad little Ozzie made it safely home again.
You are absolutely right!! I honestly don’t know why I put all 3 of them up? I almost always (sigh… I know, the “almost” is the problem) keep Emmett with me to answer the door for anyone, even the UPS guy. Emmett is always my security system, and I should’ve kept him with me this time. I guess I was flustered and not thinking? I’ll remember next time. Promise! 🙂
Wow, cute story, but I totally agree with Sofia. I never answer the door without a dog present. The funny part is we have had workers in and out of the house for weeks now and the boys never make a peep and I wouldn’t ever be intimidated by their sweet faces, but luckily there are others who find them to be “intimidating.” (lmao)
HA! That’s why I usually keep Emmett with me… even though, like you, I’d never find his darling face intimidating. I just wasn’t thinking this time!
Hmmm. Interesting thoughts. I understand the concerns, but at the same time this wasn’t a complete stranger with a sketchy van parked out front. We’ve seen this guy several times, there have been lots of “hellos” exchanged, both with the dad and the son. Also, whenever there is someone coming by to do work or anything like that, Emmett always supervises. I don’t think Maggie did anything wrong letting the guy into the house. Anyway, Maggie is a butt kicker and can take care of herself! I’m mainly glad that the little dog is okay after crashing into the steps!
I didn’t mean for my comment to come off as a scolding or anything along those lines. I too was glad the little guy was ok, the thought of all the dangers he could encounter, cars, dogs, other animals and steps! I have a personal issue with people coming to my door, it’s a long story, the gist of it is when we lived up north two men came to our door during the day, representing a religious group, i had answered the door, said no thank you, not interested and began to shut the door, the man put his hand out and stopped the door from shutting, out of no where Sandy came between me and the man as he was stepping into my house. it all happened so fast, I think I was in shock he stopped the door. I grabbed sandys collar as he went forward and the man stepped back, he made a comment about the dog, something like “is he friendly” I said he’s very protective. sure they were just aggressive solicitors wanting to talk about religion and stuff like that but I often thought what if they weren’t and what if Sandy wasn’t there.
as for Maggie being tough, no doubt in my mind, anyone that can care for 3 dogs, and herself while battling cancer and undergoing chemo is pretty kicka$$. sorry if I offended anyone
Not at all!! Don’t you worry one bit!! I think you’re absolutely right, and to be totally honest, I didn’t recognize the guy, so I should’ve had Emmett with me for sure!
I can’t believe that happened to you… I don’t get the whole door-to-door soliciting thing to begin with, but being rude and pushy??? Sheesh. Thank goodness Sandy was there!!!
Sorry that happened to you! You didn’t offend at all! Besides, the guy is little and Maggie has a mean right hook!
Little Oz certainly is determined. We are lucky there haven’t been any stray cat casualties in our back yard. I am paranoid, and always check the gates before letting dogs out, which probably scares off the strays.
That’s a good plan, Rebekah! I don’t know… In these cases, I think it’s MUCH better to be paranoid!!
Haha! That Ozzie sounds like a real character. But yeah…that prolly wouldn’t be good if all your doggies went out and found Ozzie in THEIR yard. He must really like your yard to work so hard to get into it.
Wiggles & Wags,
mayzie
I shudder to think… and, honestly, I couldn’t really expect them to not react forcefully to a strange dog suddenly appearing in their yard. But since I don’t want that to happen, we’re boarding up every single little gap!!!
That dog seems pretty clever for a little blind guy! I think he’s taken a liking to you and your crew….I’m sure he knows good dog people when he meets them!
I do think he hears/smells these guys and just wants to come make friends! I’m just so terrified the poor little dear is going to get hit by a car!