This afternoon I was coming home from the store-a short walk up from Queen St. In the past week the trees have gone from promising buds to lush green foliage and I was enjoying the swing into spring on a sunny afternoon.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a streak of movement in a backyard. I stopped, trying to identify that familair slinking motion.
No more than a minute later a large-size, male dog came loping down the driveway, head and tail down. At first glance, his gait and physical appearance reminded me of a coyote. he was quite majestic-looking. He paused, glanced behind him-waiting for something. Ten seconds later, a smaller, stocky female followed. When she caught up with him, they proceeded down the driveway, along the sidewalk to the next driveway. They headed toward that backyard at a steady pace.
Now I was intrigued!
Our neighbourhood is not one where dogs run at large. There's the odd dog lazing on a front porch while the owner is doing some gardening or once in awhile a bark from a fenced backyard but that's as feral as the dogs get around here.
Another minute later and the same pattern occured. The male emerged from the backyard first, waiting to escort the female along the sidewalk to the next driveway, up the driveway and into the backyard. I followed along, trying to get their attention. They were obviously on some kind of mission.
After trailing these two for seven backyards, I called over to two women who were walking their Portugeuse Water dogs on the opposite side of the street. I explained the situation and asked if either could perhaps spare a leash.
One of the women excused herself, letting us know her dog was dominant where other males are concerned. She crossed the street to stay at a safe distance. The other woman took her dog's leash off (well-trained dog!!) and offered it up.
Since my arms were weighed down with grocery bags, I asked her if she'd make an attempt at leashing one of the dogs.
Using treats she brought along for her dog walk, she offered some to the two dogs on their way down the driveway. Throwing them in their general direction, the dogs rushed over and gobbled them up hungrily. Gingerly the female approached close enough, and finally accepted the exchange of freedom for some treats.
It was painfully obvious though, getting the male to do likewise was not going to happen. On top of that, treat lady's bag was empty.
I took a moment to assess the dog's behavior and physical well-being. I noticed the male was thin-not starving but not well-fleshed out. The female was friendly and portly but still seemed to be very hungry. Their tongues were lolling, they needed water. They were both walking stiff-legged, as if they'd put a few miles under those paws.
I called my son and asked him to bring out a bowl of water. (he knows me well enough by now, not to question these strange requests.)
Spying a fenced-in yard on the corner, I told treat lady to lead the captive over to it. These two vagrants were obviously a pair-where one went the other would follow. I put my grocery bags down, took the leash, opened the gate and led the female into the yard. The male hesitated but out of concern for his partner, followed.
With the gate closed behind us, we had them both!
They drank their fill and thanks to the lady with the dominant dog who ran home to get them food, they finished off a full bowl of kibble.
A neighbour called Animal Control and gave them the address. They told us they could come right away and pick up the dogs but if they weren't claimed in three days-they'd be put down.
These dogs are obviously owned by someone, they are wearing collars, no tags though. Perhaps they will find they're microchipped.
Observing their behavior in the yard, it comes to me---she's pregnant!! If I was a betting woman, that's where I'd put my money!
Rick with Animal Control arrived within twenty minutes. He took a look at the dogs and said, 'I know these dogs, they live down the block. I've never really seen them but they match the description. Their owner has been sited for the piles in the backyard.' There's no one home there right now but the door is wide open. Probably a disgruntled neighbour. Lots of barking complaints.' Rick leads the female into the van and the male dutifully follows. I thank him for his quick response and he gives me his card.
Now I'm another disgruntled neighbour...although I'm within 500 ft. from my own door, I pick up my bags of groceries and storm down the street, looking for the house with the 'open door.'
I locate it easily. It's an ill-kept place with boxes and over-flowing garbage bins at the side.
I hear a dog barking in the backyard.
Approaching two gentlemen sitting out on a porch two houses down, I ask them what they can tell me about their neighbour-the one with the open door. They tell me there's a dog in a cage in the backyard, and the young guy who rents the place breeds his huskys quite frequently but they never see him walking the dogs.
I have to ask them if they have any idea why his door is wide open if he's not at home. They tell me they wouldn't be surprised if a neighbour opened it in hopes of getting rid of those dogs.
I will return to this house tomorrow and continue to do so until I find someone at home. I want to speak to this person...badly!!
Once or twice a day, everyday, a well-meaning, responsible dog owner loads his dogs into the vehicle, drives them out to what is probably the closest thing these dogs will know this side of the rainbow bridge--the perfect location for dogs to get their daily exercise.
