Love And Loss: A Domino Effect

Two weekends ago I discovered an eligible bachelor named Domino who was wandering from one front yard to the other, seemingly lost and lonely in the "mean" streets of Bedford, but as soon as he noticed

little Roxie Hart (yes, she was named after THE Roxie Hart, the vaudeville "Chicago" starlet) and big sister Sadie (too bad her name wasn't Velma for the sake of my story) he forgot his troubles and followed them home.

While the girls gave Domino a tour of the house I had other concerns. First of all, why did Domino have an 802 area code on his tag when he is living in area code 603? And how long had he been away from his owners?

The girls knew something was up when I started dialing Domino's mystery phone number and after three unanswered calls I was in a panic. I couldn't allow Domino to move into Roxie and Sadie's house indefinitely because I was just the pet sitter, not their owner. 

I also knew I couldn't take Domino home with me in between visits with the girls so I did the next best thing; I called the Bedford police and within minutes an officer was at the door.

Apparently Domino had never been tied up  leashed by an officer before so he thought it was wildly funny until

he was escorted to the backseat of the squad car followed by his girls who couldn't figure out why they couldn't go along for the ride.

I felt so guilty to have ended Roxie and Sadie's budding romance in such an abrupt manner especially when I later found out that Domino's house was just around the corner from them. 

As it turned out, Domino's pet sitter let him wander unsupervised just after his owner's drove off to visit friends in NYC and since Domino wasn't getting the attention he deserved he chose us to entertain him! 

When his owner finally returned my calls she glibly stated that "Domino is just Domino" and he had toured the neighborhood many times and "there's no stopping him" from visiting everyone. I was shocked that she didn't think her pet sitter was to blame for Domino's disappearance! What pet sitter wouldn't know that a dog would wander off if left unattended?  

Fortunately for all concerned, Domino found two Bichons and a pet sitter who took his wandering eyes (and legs, for that matter) very seriously or else he might not have been returned home at all! Thankfully, Domino was safe (I hope) at his home that evening and I am sure the girls have reunited with Mr. Right....Now.....often!