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zebraslovescupcakestoo · 6 years

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Golden eyes Chapter 4

“Why, Kitty and Felix! It's so nice to see you two again!”

I can't believed what I'm seeing. It was Alice Angel. The famous singer of USA. She was wearing her glasses to conceal her identity, along a mauve blouse and matching skirt. White shirt and ruffles. Black heels and her hair was in a braid knots. Why is she doing here in Chicago?

“Why, Kitty! And Felix too! It's been a while! You're still together?” Another cheerful familiar voice that came from the person on the piano. She had light blue Chinese dress with a bit of golden yellow details and matching ribbons in her hair buns. That was Minnie Mouse.

Kitty's mood was enlighten. “OMG! Why didn't you gals tell me you were all here! I would’ve made time!” Alice hugged her. “I'm sorry, but we just bumped into each other earlier and we decided to come here to catch up. You only came in two minutes after that so you didn't miss out much” Minnie joined the conversation. “Isn't this great? The three gemstones of the old chorus reunited after graduation. It feels like time just like yesterday when we were still teenagers.”

Let me explain. These three were once as they claimed, in a chorus. They were all very talented singers, but Alice was the one who really bring out the best of the group's performance. Minnie was the group's pianist. Her skill was well rewarded at the talent show few years back and she sometimes plays with Alice. Did I already mention she's Mickey's girl? And finally, Kitty was the life of the group. Despite she had a different career path, she had a lovely voice and was their closest friends. Almost like the older sister of the group, most of the time.

“Felix.” Kitty asked. “Can you order three strawberry sundaes for us? You can leave after that. Well be having a girl talk after a song for old time sake.” “You don't worry about the payment. Tell him it's from me. He knows who I am.” Alice winked. I just... decided to get their orders. I had enough excitement for today. I've told the owner what they wanted and he said he already know. While I waited at the counter I heard the piano started to play....

Oh, my mother was frightened by a shotgun they say

That's why I'm such a wonderful shot I'd be out in the cactus and I'd practice all day But now tell me what have I got

I'm quick on the trigger With targets not much bigger Than a pinpoint - I'm number one But my score with a feller Is lower than a cellar Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

When I'm with a pistol

I sparkle like a crystal

Yes, I shine like the morning sun But I lose all my luster When with a bronco buster Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

Minnie's piano piece was as lovely as she was when she was playing.

With a gu-un

With a gu-un No, you can't get a man with a gun

If I went to battle

With someone's herd of cattle You'd have steak when the job was done But if I shot the herder They'd holler bloody murder And you can't shoot a male In the tail Like a quail Oh, you can't get a man with a gun If I shot a rabbit Some furrier would grab it For a coat that would warm someone But you can't shoot a lover And use him for a cover Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

The gals with umbrellers

Are always out with fellers In the rain or the blazing sun But a man never trifles With gals who carry rifles Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

With a gu-un

With a gu-un No, you can't get a man with a gun

A Tom, Dick or Harry

Will build a house for Carrie When the preacher has made them one But he can't build you houses With buckshot in his trousers Cause a man may be hot But he's not When he's shot Oh, you can't get a man with a gun

Minnie finished her piano solo while the customers applauded and complimented. The waiter came up to me with the order. I went to place where they settled at the table. After that, I said my goodbyes and left. I decided to return home after a 'productive' day.

I did have some new information on the necklaces, but I'm still no where with the weeds issue and the dog-napping. I then noticed that someone's is watching, following me. So I decided to take an alley route, and he followed me after. This time, I'm NOT gonna let my guard down. I took off my grey cap and started to twirl it with one finger. I slowed my paced and I sang a bit softly, just to let him think I was in cloud land.

“Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo.”

I let him get closer to me, from behind.

“Doo-dloo-doo-doo-doo-doo.”

He matched my timing and he slowly raised his arm. Just a bit more...

“ I'm singing in the-” WACK!

I used my quick reflexes to block his fist, covering with one hand on his. It was a draw. One of my eye winced a bit from the pain. 'DANG! My arm feels like it's got knocked to sleep'. My stalker had almost the same height as I. He had a Navy blue fedora with a black stripped ribbon. Navy blue over coat and pants. Dark brown shoes and his face was well hidden. But I already knew who he was.

“You're better not doing this every time you'll come and see me, Oswald Disney.” I told him. He retrieved his left arm and put it in his pocket and I retrieved mine to caress a bit. Man! his strength might rival with Boris Wolfenstein.

“Aw! I'm touched you remembered me, Hēi māo. Not a lot can do that apart from my baby brother and some acquaintances.” He removed his fedora with his right hand, revealing his smirking face. Like I needed him to make my day as salty as crap again.

“What is it that you wanted this time? Another shake down?” He laughed when I said that. “Nah! Hēi māo, If I really wanted to fight, I'd pick a better opponent or would've done more to you back at the tea shop.” He then tosses his hat next to mine besides mine, here it was laying on the ground on my left.

“I'm here to see what you found in the glass shop.” He stepped closer on the right side of me. I keep my guard up. “I didn't got anything new except some of the necklaces that were on display were almost similar to the ones that were stolen and I think that the store's manager was a real piece of work.” He stopped next to me. “I questioned him some things and the only answers I got was that the shop was owned by a certain guy who owns the King Dice Casino. My second was that the products were delivered to the shop. So much for new leads recommended by you.”

He glared at me and that makes me freeze on the spot. I might hit the wrong button on this bunny. He turned to me and said. “The request was actually Mickey's, not mine.” His face resumed to his resting poker smile look, but I still feel he's giving me the chills and I blushed a bit. But I won't show him that. Until he paced toward me, one step at a timely manner. What's this odd feeling I'm getting from him?

“I know you're a cleaver detective, Hēi māo. You should know as well as we do that the shop was a front to a much different business.” I took a step back as he was getting closer. “You mean the product was-” I hit the wall when I realized what he meant. “Forgeries. Even if they changed the images or added some flair, they made copies from the 'borrowed' originals.” He stopped dangerously right in front of me and I blushed redder. What's this feeling? “Is this what you- HE meant for a new lead? Is he the one who stole the jewelries cases or one of the thieves?”

He grabbed my collar and gently pulls my face closely to his. I started to feel hot.“Good theory, but you're wrong. The one you've talked to is Giovanchi Dazzardo. A.K.A King Dice. He's actually the manager of the King Dice Casino near the Lake Michigan.”

“H-huh?” I already knew that place had some shady reputations with the owner himself alone but... “Are you-”

“No, judging by your fighting style this morning, you wouldn't stand a chance against them even if you asked to investigate. We're talking about professional assassins here. Not the usual hired, dopey muscled, goons mafias likes to toy around. Even Mickey himself would've had trouble dealing these scary clowns.”

Is he telling me I'm not good enough to take on this kind of gang? “Don't be too disappointed. You did well for your first part. Now here's MY second lead. Considered it your little reward for doing well on our requests.” He moved his ginning face to my red ear and said. “Bendy is the one who's responsible for the previous and recent renewed drug distributions.” I was almost surprised.

“Wh- How did you figure that out? Is there proof to your claim?” Even if I wanted to bring down my swore arch-enemy, I have to do it the right way like my father used to do. He then lets me see his face, but he still so close I started to tremble a bit.

“I don't exactly 'HAVE' physical evidence, but I can make you 'HEAR IT' straight from the midget bad apple's motor mouth along with his 'associates.' They are going to have a meeting at the The House of Mouse tomorrow night. Remember what the deal was at noon?” I winced when he said that. Crap! I forgot.

His facial expression had a grinning cheshire cat-like.“If you're thinking about them, I already told you. It's my territory. If they are smart enough to read, they have to get through me first if they wanted to lay a finger or pull the trigger. I promised their safety if something does go south.” He assured me.

Can I really trust this guy? We hardly knew each other apart our profession. Not to mention we are not exactly on 'friendly' terms.“Even if you don't want to, you'll have to go. Micks' negotiations success are very positively accurate.”

“Excuse me? Are you threatening me to go?” I asked with an raised eyebrow.

He didn't held back for his thin patience at the last part when he 'hmp!' and nearly punched through the wall behind me, barely an inch next to my face at a VERY quick reaction. All my red colors faded to white.

That move was impressively intimidating, no wonder he's in charge of Chinatown district.

My expression was pale when I saw a portion of the wall crumbled down a bit with some debris. 'It could have been my face smashed-in instead.' I mentally said before I started chanting 'calm down' repetitively in my head.

“No no, just a 'friendly' suggestion. Sorry if I sounded a bit 'forceful' on ya, Hēi māo.” He then gave me some space, just enough to move a bit. Not much.

“N-no harms d-done!” I lied horribly. I regained my composure and replied with some 'reasonable' facts he'd might have missed.

“I-I understand you and your brother wanted to solve the case as quickly as possible. But I cannot just blindly running at them, banging pots and pans, yodelling 'you're under arrest!', then send to court without hard evidence and then I ended looking like another boneheaded gumshoe.”

He chuckled a bit. “Hehehe! That might have been the best entertainment I had for a while if ya did that. But tell me something, Hēi māo, did you arrest a certain group of thugs nicknamed 'the butcher gang' two week prior at the Chinatown district?”

What the heck is he throwing me off this time? “Y-yes. I caught them for shoplifting some goods at the S.P.I.C.E. Shop it's called. Why you asked? Are they related to this case?”

“Not entirely.” He confessed. “I just heard from my 'sources' they were involved from that specific case with the Snowflake Diamonds.” I was shocked to hear that.

“What?!? But they're supposed to be serving at least six months in prison!” At least from what I heard in the courtroom that day.

“Wanna guess who decided to bargain the authorities and use the crooks as dunce patrol for this plan?” He replied, with his arm crossed and a raised eyebrow from his poker face.

I already knew that answer and grumbled. “Bendy Drew...” He whistle a bit. “Impressive! Either you have more guts to pronounce his REAL name when we first met, or you really have a death wish, Hēi māo. Nobody have the nerve to say it even out of his view. Last guy who did got his throat slashed, grinned to mice meat, added rat poisoning seasoning and feed it to the sewer rodents.”

I didn't care for his tantrums over his last real name, apart the executions. “Never mind that, Tell me why he needed those three now.” He just wave his finger and I was somewhat entranced by him. “Ah ah ah! No so fast. No more freebies if you don't agreed to come to the House of Mouse. If I were you, I'd take my offer. Why? Because your other two feathered friends won't have much luck helping you with this clustered mess of missing necklaces, the dog-napped beagle, and the drugs. They'll be having too much on their plate tomorrow and for the next few day. Your girl Kitiana is in the same boat as them. YOU will be on your own for a bit without much to go on.”

He REALLY wanted me to go that bad, eh? But first I want to make sure if he was just bluffing. “What makes you think they-” He cuts me off. “Let's just say while we each had a bit of work this morning, my sources told me there was some low class thugs stirred up some riot over at the Chicago's Michigan Avenue Bridge. I don't think you'll need me to explain the rest of the work process when these kind of sh!t happens. You'll have your share of the paper work tomorrow. You'll probably have some free time around evening which would be a good beneficial for both of us.” I just stare at him blankly when he'd just spit out those words.

What. The. Fish paste. Did he really just told me I'll have to do as he say no matter what?! Not on one of my nine lives!!!

“If you say what is true,” I started to leave. “Then don't count on me to turn up tomorrow night. I'll probably have to do some overtime because of it. Please give my apologies to your brother, Mickey. MRGH!” I Suddenly felt his hand grasping over my mouth and I was pulled back in front, closely to him. Now that odd feeling from earlier was rushing back! Now my face is a deep shade of red. “Oh! two last thing before you go. First. your hat!” He shoved over my grey golfer cap over my head and eyes. “ I know you'll DEFINETELY come. Mark my words.” He claimed before he released me. I took off my hat just to go after him, but he was no where to be seen. How does he do that so fast? Blasted! That's the second time they escaped with that blinding me trick! Although I admit, it was a clever tactic if one doesn't want to have a parkour chase.

While I was on my way back home after I pick up some meat at the butcher shop, I scoffed of what he's saying might be true and their predictions. Then again, I might be to 'busy' to go. Maybe I might have 'different' plans for tomorrow if I ever got lucky to leave the station. It's a 'possibility' after all. I'm not gonna let him or his brother toying me, nor my family and friends. They can't keep me from my case despite their involvements, they can't tell me what to do and they certainly don't 'own' me! I smiled a bit when I found that loophole in the contract. I arrived at my neighborhood home which it was a decent small house fit for a family. My friend Woody McPecker actually owns our place after his uncle. but he gave me a good selling price for living here. It was a modest home, not too fancy but it was well kept. I entered and decided to put on my green apron and start supper with a few vegetables left overs from last night with some pork chops I bought.

During the supper preparation, I reviewed my cases:

First, there was multiple thefts.

Four missing necklaces, each are related to the Jewelry Show's presentation, contributed by Disney INC.

But each had a different ways of being robbed.

So it's more than just one person who are doing the jobs.

Then there was the second matter:

Countess Violette's beagle was dog-napped.

She and her dog was participating at the Dog Show.

Along with Mr. Vermelho and Mr. Blancheur with their dogs.

Not to mention, Disney INC is also sponsoring the show with the first prize related to the Jewelry Show.

I also found out about there was Minnie Mouse's participating in the contest, despite she might get disqualified for her relation to Mickey's A.K.A. Disney's most famous poster boy and future CEO.

I still don't have anything else to add to this dog-napping case, but it could be some jealousy, just trying to get rid of some competition or something. I have to pray for a good lead.

Now for my third matter:

The possible renewal of the drug distributions.

The one I found might be duds, but there's still troubling to me.

I now know it was Bendy who's behind this and the previous one.

Even when we did a clean sweep of rounding the 'dealers', some might have slipped out of our reach.

But on the plus side, I got one of his TOP member from the Alfonso's mafia with the garbage can trick and he's residing in Texas' prison. It did felt good to at least took him down a peg!

So far, the necklaces were related to the dog show, yet what does the weed have to do anything in between?

And then there was the final 'new' issue I'm not too happy about that happened today:

These 'thanks-to-these-two-my-favourite-childhood-cartoons-and-films-are-now-ruined' Disney's Prick Brothers.

Wait. Scratch that. Make that MOSTLY that rabbit's fault!

It was first the scene with Bendy and Mickey this morning at the theatre that I found out they were 'sort of' together.

Then it was Oswald's 'first impression', the proposition Mickey provided at the Tea shop.

Besides the Glass shop and the girl's unscheduled group date, I had to be followed AND got a second impression from that carrot eater, battle frenzy, screwy rabbit. Plus, what's this odd feeling I'm getting from him, apart annoyance and fear, I felt... Never mind.

He DID however, to be fair, told me some important details for the missing necklaces. Maybe. But I can't trust them, not yet.

I ain't gonna go to their 'House of Mouse' place. No flapping way after what I was introduced to. I can manage these case just fine with what I got and plausibly some new ones!

I put the pork chops in the oven until suddenly, I heard the kids and Kitty coming in with another familiar voice that makes me shiver. I went to see for my self just to tell myself I'm just hearing things. Please let it be just random voices caused by a very long day I'm having.

NOPE! He's here. With my nephews in his arms. Next to Kitty. Mickey Walt Disney himself. In my house... well, my 'humble home' to be specific.

“Uncle Felix! Guess who we just met on our way back!” Inky said with joy. “Mickey Mouse came to see us! How cool is that?!” Winky replied with sparks of happy thoughts.

“You should have seen their reaction when we crossed paths after I picked them up.” Kitty smiled at me.

“Aw! Gosh! Please! I'm just a rookie actor. I'm not all THAT important. I'm really just an average guy outside of the movie sets.” Mickey replied with his charismatic charm. I was still not smiling.

I know that smile is now full of rotten cheese, ya over sized mouse. YOU didn't came here JUST for a visit.

“Say tell me, are you by chance that underdog detective, Felix Lockheart? I heard a few things about you from an acquaintance of my brother's. I really respect those kinds of good people who are dedicated to keep our country safe. Even if it's just for Chicago.” He 'complimented' me.

He's just using that excuse to see me for something I know already.

“As much as I wanted to stay a bit, but I have to stay with my father for tonight. He's not felling well these past few days after some tiring schedules with our animations, theme park and other stuff I hardly ever knew. SO!” He reached inside his black vest and I can tell what they are.

“In one of the stories about your exploits, you helped out a honest family grocery store in the Chinatown district from a group of thugs.” He showed the four tickets. “My Asian friends wished to invite you and your cat family to the House of Mouse tomorrow night with live entertainment. I'll be there along with Alice Angel and my girl, Minnie!” Their eyes were telling me they were all under his charms. Great! Now he's got them against me!

“Whoa! Felix! That place is known for like, almost everything! Class, guests, live music, anything!” Kitty claimed.

“YAY! Night out!” The twins were excited.

“I'll give these to the lovely lady, make sure you don't lose them.” He handed over to Kitty. “Oh! And may I have a small chat with Felix alone? I need to to ask a couple of things.”

“Sure! I'll keep an eye on the meat!” Kitty replied, walking pass by me before giving me a kiss on the cheek.

“We'll do the table!” The twins rushed afterwards.

Now it's just me and him. My face is still plastered with 'wtf are you doing here?' look since he arrived.

“Before you say anything, I don't mock anybody who wears aprons. At least you don't wear what Minnie's got me.” He told me as a joke. “I'm pretty sure you're not here JUST to drop off some tickets.” I told him straight forward.

He grabbed me close with his one arm around my shoulders and whispered. “Listen, I know we were on was a rough start noon, but we really want only you to help us.”

“Why only me? There are plenty of good officers that can help out too.” I whispered back.

“I can't tell you the reasons for now, but I REALLY need you to trust me on this. You have something special that can solve these cases.” He explained but I still don't get it. So I asked. “But WHAT is it?” That mouse just tsked. “It's your hidden talent, obviously. That's the key to help finding the missing necklaces and the dog mysteries.”

Huh?! My 'hidden' talent? “What 'hidden' talent? My detective, soccer or violin skills?” He looked at me with a poker face with an raised eyebrow.

“You know well what 'talent' I was talking about.” He took my chin and make me look straight in the eyes.

Is he referring... No. No, not possible! “No, I really don't know what you were talking about.”

“I can tell when people lie too, ya know? But hey, don't worry.” He then whispered THIS in my ear. “Your 'gift' is safe with us for now.” I froze when he told me that.

NO! How?! I-I...

“Oh dear!” He looked at his invisible watch. “I need to get back with my father and my brother. It's been a while since we had supper altogether. I will take my leave. I hope we will see each other tomorrow night. GOOD BYE!!” They were waiving back at him until he leaves. I was still standing. Lost in thoughts. I... really lost my apatite.

---

It was around 10 o'clock when I was laying in my bed. I was reading the Chinese translations book for when ever I had to deal with some of Oswald's dialogues. I finally found out that 'Hēi māo' nickname he gave me means 'Black cat.'

Pshe! I am somewhat not amused nor surprised! But I still blushed a bit.

What REALLY got me off guard in today's outing was Mickey told me they discovered about my 'secret' talent. His he telling the truth or just bluffing me to tell the truth.

I put down my book next to my night table and then I covered one eye with my left hand. I sighed, close my eyes before I drifted to sleep.

God, why did I have this so called 'gift'?

To be continued>>> Chapter 5

Read Chapter 3 here

Read the beginning here: Chapter 1

----- Author’s note:

OHHHHHHHHH!!!!! An early chapter release!

I did wanted to wait for Friday, but I had to work for like the whole day and I might be a bit late on my releases...

So for the song here is was from that musical ‘Annie get your gun’

ANYWAYS! We see that Felix get to know Oswald a bit better (but not in a good way for now.) I hope that this case of webbed crimes isn’t too complicated for anyone... I’m doing my best to make sure it’s understandable so far.

And lastly here’s the BIG question: What did the Disney brothers know about Felix’s ‘gift’? Better yet, WHAT is his ‘gift’?

Keep checking in next week! Cause in the next chapter, our favorite demon and wolf will be there!

BBTIM characters belong to Marini4.

Cartoon and gaming characters belong to their respected owners. (Meatley, Disney, ect...)

#bendy before the ink machine #Bendy and the Ink Machine #Felix The Cat #Felix #mickey #Mickey Mouse #oswald the lucky rabbit #oswald #humanized #human #fanfiction #marini4

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topmixtrends · 6 years

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This short story appears in the LARB Print Quarterly Journal: No. 19, Romance

To receive the LARB Quarterly Journal, become a member or purchase a copy at your local bookstore.

Three women sat together in an outdoor cafe. The walls of their semi-private cell were made of curtains, sheer ones — in turquoise, pink, and gold. There was no ceiling. The sun was out. It was really very pleasant, but because it was one of those cafes that just make you want to transcend, dissolve, advance, et cetera, there were no other customers present, so the women could be, in their comportment, as they really were: quite free.

They sank into low cushions around a bright white slab of table, their knees buckled up close to their chins, and ordered with confidence from the waiter, who was always away, but never sufficiently gone, decaffeinated coffee with cream.

The cream came to the table in a handmade ceramic, the bottom rounded so it wouldn’t sit flat. A spill seemed imminent, and the cafe didn’t help, being spirit-like, always responding to its wavy medium, so the cream sloshed out of the ceramic, and the women couldn’t stop it, not even with their minds. The waiter reappeared at once.

He was not handsome, but he was exceedingly unpleasant, so their instinct was to treat him very well, by groveling.

“I’m so clumsy this morning,” said Ava, as the waiter folded neatly at the waist and wiped the cream off the table. “I shouldn’t be allowed to live.”

He nodded and vanished through a shifting wall of curtain.

The women did not seem to watch him go, but they knew everything about how he went. Posturally, they had an ease, as if they had slept together, woken up together, walked to the cafe together, and would someday merge together, when it came time for that, into the triple-sided god they felt sure they would someday become.

“I’m getting that itch,” said Ava. “I’m feeling exactly like a prisoner. I need to take a trip.”

“But you’re already on a trip!” said Eve, winking. “Where are you going to go?” “Romania, I imagine.”

“Do you know anyone in Romania?” asked Ovelle.

“No. That would ruin it, don’t you think?”

The women nodded.

“Even thinking about it,” said Ava. “I start to feel free. Even just anticipating, in extreme detail, the Romanian landscape I haven’t seen, even drawing it with my own thoughts, inside of my own brain, where there is no eraser, makes me feel like I’ve already been there. But I’ll still go, to make sure I’m right.”

“I should take a trip too,” said Ovelle. “Otherwise how could I claim to have lived these past three months?”

“You couldn’t,” said Eve.

“I couldn’t!”

“Where are you thinking of going?” asked Ava.

“God, I don’t know. Somewhere no one would ever guess I would want to go.Somewhere that would really destroy my personality,” said Ovelle. “And then remake it in someone else’s image.”

“But whose?”

The waiter returned. He delivered a plate of seedy crackers, and then flowed out through an opposite slit. The women laughed.

“The service here is unreal!”

A warm breeze lifted the walls of curtain — pink, turquoise, gold — and dragged the sheerness over the faces of the women. The combination was rite-like. They were the color of a multi-nodal sex organ, gilded.

“We are the buried tool of someone else’s afterlife,” exclaimed Ava.

But they were not dead, or even dying. On the contrary — they seemed to have too much of life.

“Maybe South Korea,” said Ovelle, making the curtains back into walls.

“I’ve always wanted to go there,” said Eve. “Maybe I’ll go after you go.”

“I’ll leave no trace,” said Ovelle. “I promise. The country will be untouched, by me. Only I will be changed.”

The three nodded gravely.

“Do you remember my Egypt story?” said Ava.

“There were so many stories from your Egypt trip. Remind me.”

“There were so many stories. That trip was pure meaning. But I’m talking about the dream I had, in Egypt. The story of that dream.”

“Sounds familiar, but tell it again. Why else are we in a cafe?”

“I was in Egypt. I’d spent all evening with youth organizers, revolutionaries, when something happened. They’d been trying to build up to something, something momentous and consequential, but then the build-up culminated prematurely in a single event instead: a dramatic reading. The reading, of a secret list, happened late that night, in someone’s underground home. The list was of 198 methods of nonviolence. Each item in the list was chanted, emotionally, by a person who was so tall he looked sick. I laughed the whole way through, but the youths didn’t seem to mind. They seemed to understand how I might feel, as someone who was not from there, about this kind of recitation, but I was being a real shithead, which I forgive myself for, because it was a lesson about me that I couldn’t have learned in any other way than by taking that trip and laughing at those kids, but I don’t have to tell that to any of you. In the end it was worth it, but that doesn’t erase my bad behavior. I do know that. I’m not a total monster — I can reflect. Anyway, back at the hotel after the reading, I stood on the balcony in a long violet nightgown. I had no idea who had sent the gown. It was just outside of my room, on the floor in the hallway, in a shallow box, when I got there — I just slipped it on. That’s the way things were back then. Unknown senders — they positively proliferated. I think I assumed it was a suitor who would otherwise never materialize, and you know how I am, that was fine with me. Out there, on the balcony late at night, with no underwear on, I felt mentally large, and I could remember many items from the list, but they didn’t seem so funny anymore. The items had organized, somehow — against me. But this was wrong, I was their friend! It was all supposed to be very funny!

“Delivering symbolic objects. Wearing of symbols. Symbolic lights. Symbolic sounds. Symbolic reclamations. Why could I not stop remembering the list, and why was I taking it so personally? Was it the gown? Had I unwittingly put on the vestment of revolution? And if so, why, now, did I never want to get out of it? I started to panic. Would someone try to take the gown from me? Would they come, even there, to my private room, which I had paid for, to get it back? I had never wanted anything so badly as I wanted to keep that gown. It was my clothing(I finally understood the word). It had become, in the space of an hour, the only possible outfit for me!

“I got into bed, pulled the covers up tight. The list pursued me. Total personal noncooperation. Stay-at-home. Lysistratic nonaction. It started to become very clear: The youths had got it all wrong. They would never succeed by reciting that list. They had to interpret it, which in that particular case, meant doing the opposite of what it said. It was blasphemy what they had done, speaking the items out loud, without qualification, as if they were facts — the last facts! It was contra-revolutionary!

“Lying there, I determined that I was going to help them with their revolution. I would set them on the right course, I fully intended to — I was in a state — and I was about to get out of bed and, wearing the gown proudly, go back to that underground home to tell them exactly what they needed to do, but suddenly my mind began to drift. I started to think of my young lover, the one who left me for someone exactly my age. Remember him? Had I been fair to him, I wondered, when I sent him that little note? I had known it would stick in him forever, like a barb, just infecting him with doubt when all I’d really wanted was to decreate him for a single brilliant second with some custom-made attention (I always intended for him to recover). No, it had not been fair, that note. He’d been so right to leave me — I had no intention of taking care of my body or my skin. I wanted to look old and he was incredibly superficial. It wouldn’t have worked out. So why did I send the note? And why did I also, into the envelope that contained the note, slip a small green gem that had been in my vagina? And why did I then deliver the note, by hand, to his parents’ house, knowing how he felt about his parents? Poor thing — I had ruined him! With all this on my mind, I have no idea how I fell asleep, but I did, eventually, still wearing the gown. And that’s when I had the dream.

“I was lying in the bottom of a cup. My throbbing groin subtended a thistle. It was, or I was, flowering. As a being, my function was to embrace, to enclose, but also to bloom. It was all very obvious, I thought so even then, as my dreaming self. It was all simply gorged with meaning. But I was happy, in the dream. I knew my function, and I performed it well.

“Two men, in dull crowns, peered into the cup. I was picked up, or the cup was, by these men. They passed the cup back and forth.

Good work, Ava, said one of them. You do such good work. Don’t praise her, said the other. It’ll ruin the bloom. There’s no such thing as a too-proud bloom. There’s only such thing as a humble bloom, which stinks.

“The men began to fight over the cup I was in. I was tossed all around, and my groin was grasping at the thistle, but it wasn’t strong enough. The thistle slipped out, and out of the gaping hole in me came a blinding light, a real cock-slam of a big golden ray. It was a vision! Knocked their crowns right off. Bored partway into their skulls so that their heads were living grottos, not empty. Not at all. There was snow in there. Lots of it. And little people on skis. But I did not want to go in there. I just didn’t.

“When I woke up, it was clear to me that I had to leave Egypt at once. The gown was gone, and I was naked. Someone’s gnarled stick, not mine, leaned next to the door. I went to the bathroom, and when I came back the stick was gone. The next day, I traveled to Switzerland, where I saw a dog drown in the most beautiful lake I had ever seen. And that is still the case. I’ve yet to see a lake that can beat that one in Switzerland for beauty.”

“I think I do remember that story,” said Ovelle. “But hearing it again, I feel I’ve learned something new. What a fount travel is.”

“What a boon.”

“I pity anyone who’s never left home,” said Eve. “And to be honest, I judge them too.”

“But wasn’t there more?” said Ovelle. “To that story? Something else happened in Egypt, didn’t it? I seem to remember there was some other thing.”

“In Egypt? Not that I can recall. I left that morning, so it was just an airport day for me.”

The waiter materialized in their cell. “More decaf ?” he asked.

He looked straight ahead, his chin rough as a rock, his mouth singularly unenticing. He blinked, and the cafe flickered on and off. He touched, discreetly, the secret defect of his outfit, which was the exposed and tooth-torn zipper of his fly.

“Why, yes,” said Ava. “I’ll have another.”

“And me,” said Eve.

“And one for me, too,” said Ovelle.

“Do you feel,” said Ava, when he was gone, “like I feel? Like he doesn’t want us here, but only so he can act like he doesn’t want us here? I almost apologized just now — just for having come!”

“Never apologize for visiting a place,” said Ovelle. “I can’t stand to hear anyone debase experience.”

“Experience is neutral,” said Eve. “Or it is virtuous. Those are the only things that experience can be.”

Ava cleared her throat. “You are so right. Like one time I went to Caucasia in the dead of winter. The hotel was empty except for one other woman with an infant. She walked the halls all night wailing with grief, the child screaming too. We met only once, in the drab hallway, when I was on my way to the shared bathroom. She pleaded with me in a language I didn’t understand. She kept pointing to my left eye, which had begun to water uncontrollably at the idea that this woman might actually touch it. Normally, this kind of accidental antagonism would have been completely inexcusable to me, but in this particular situation, I found it very easy to endure. I tried to take the baby from her, and she let me. She stopped crying and sat on the floor. I sat next to her, singing to the baby, cooing at it, tickling its toes. Then she started to use her hands to communicate. She moved them in front of us in the hallway, painting a picture in the air that I could read. She was crying, her hands said, because she’d written a book that described a coming catastrophe. It wasn’t fiction, she insisted. It was very real but it read just like a novel. She had lost this text, this prophecy, during the course of her travels. It had been stolen by a man who had also stolen her scarf — she showed me her neck, which was red from exposure. This man, whom she’d met at a very different sort of cafe than the one we’re sitting in now, had revealed to her a few details about his itinerary, which was why she was in this particular hotel — she was following him. She hoped to find him and get her book back. She didn’t care about seeing Caucasia, or about recovering her scarf, even though her grandmother had given it to her. She cared only about the book, which would be misunderstood if she couldn’t accompany it wherever it went, if she couldn’t, as the author, provide the genre: nonfiction, prophetic. The book was the truth, she said, but the man was probably reading it right now as if it were a novel. If she couldn’t find it and impress upon people that it was not just something she’d made up, thousands of people would die.”

“Did she ever find him?”

“That’s the thing: I don’t know.”

“See? Neutral,” said Eve.

“Yeah, like once I met a beggar on the streets of Valparaíso,” said Ovelle. “He was deeply concerned for a tree that was growing, or really failing to grow, in the center of a courtyard there. It was old, he said, nobody knew how old it was, it had always been there — so why was it dying now? Why did he, the beggar, have the bad luck of being alive to witness the death of this tree that had seemed, for generations of people, to be eternal? I took him to a cafe not at all like this one and bought him some bread, which he didn’t touch. I asked him if he’d like to shower back in my hotel room, and he said yes. While he showered, I tried to lure a bird through the window with the bread I bought, and when he emerged from the shower and saw what I was doing he smacked the bread out of my hand. I fell onto the bed, but he wasn’t interested in sex. His skin was a totally different color than it had been before the shower. What is love if it isn’t this? I said, and he started to cry. You remind me of my most recent boss, he said. She was very cruel to me, to the last. She died beneath me in bed.

“We spent the night together, not fucking. We told each other everything, all about our childhoods and our dreams. In the morning, I went out and bought him some rope, then left him alone for a few hours. I fully expected that he would hang himself, but when I got back to the room he was still there, sitting on the bed, surrounded by a small crowd of people, who were draped all over each other on the floor. He was giving a lecture on the reductions of Paraguay. The reductions were some sort of strategy cum building, where people were instructed in methods of dehumanizing nature, I think. Maybe I can’t remember exactly, or I didn’t understand some of the Spanish because I wasn’t really listening. He was whipping the rope around as he spoke, and it was mesmerizing because the rope was not behaving like an object at all, but like something aspirational, something with muscle and heart. The tail end curled around his neck, caressed it, let it go. The rope was showing what it could do — kill him — but would not, because it loved this beggar, who was its master. The crowd kept reaching for the beggar’s feet. Coyly, he kept moving them out of reach, then extending them again, then removing them, and so on. He never allowed them to make contact, but neither did he convince them that they should stop trying. My boat was leaving in an hour, so I handed him the key to the room. He took it without looking at me and said, It’s the least you could do. On my way to the port, I told the driver to take me to the tree, the one that was dying, in a courtyard somewhere. It was supposed to be eternal? I said. An eternal tree? But now it’s dying? The driver shook his head. Your guidebook must be old. That tree died years ago. Someone hung himself from it, and then his mother came out in the middle of the night and cut it down. All by herself. With an axe!”

“Virtuous,” said Eve.

A cell phone rang, and Ava took it from her purse, crossed her legs, held it a few inches from her ear. “I’m having a lovely time, yes. I’m at this wild cafe, it seems to be made entirely of air. There’s really nothing urgent, is there? Nothing pressing? I mean, I’m on vacation. Yes. Right. This is travel. Thank you for saying that. Nice to talk to you too.”

She hung up the phone and turned excitedly to the other women. “So as I was saying: Should we take a trip?”

“We are overdue. But it really depends, I should think, on the forecast,” said Ovelle. The lean of his delivery was unnecessarily extreme. His fingers lingered on the last saucer, pinching it suggestively. “Travel is a boat,” he said then, tucking his tray beneath his arm, “that floats on the sea of heaven and never sinks.” Then he slipped through the curtains again.

Eve huffed. “A riddle. How rude.”

“Check please!” shouted Ava.

This time, the waiter did not come right away. The women, in anticipation, inched forward on their low cushions. With their knees, they steadied themselves against the low white table. At last, the waiter arrived. His eyes closed and his thin nose held aloft, he presented an abalone shell containing the bill. “Whenever you’re ready,” he said. “However, the cafe is closed and has been for some time. You can see that there’s nobody else in here. But please don’t hurry — it’s no rush.”

“Here you go,” said Ava, tossing a single coin into the shell. The coin was a shifting color. Pink played over its surface, then gold, then turquoise. Neither side was marked. The edges of the coin were smooth and tapered toward an impossible thinness.

The waiter carefully examined the coin. “I’m sorry, ladies,” he said. “But we can’t accept this.”

The women jumped. Eve locked the waiter in a strange embrace, twisting his body, so that Ovelle, with a kick to the back of his knees, was able to send him all the way down to the table, which was so far down, being so very low, that when he hit the surface, the result was spectacular. What had appeared so permanent — that broad white surface, flawless as a field of salt — turned out to be anything but. The table splintered, its particulate interior was revealed, and the waiter lay prone in the midst of the debris. His eyes were shocked, even hurt, and his mouth grimaced in pain.

Ava jumped onto his chest, Ovelle had his arm, Eve was on his feet. He stopped struggling and stared plaintively up at the sky.

“All currency is accepted everywhere,” said Ava. “You know that.”

“We will travel,” said Ovelle. “We will go here and there. You can’t stop us.”

The waiter was moving his lips around. He seemed to be working up the courage to speak.

“We’re not tourists,” said Ava. She signaled to Ovelle. “It doesn’t have to be vicious or dramatic,” she said. “Just the right amount of pressure should do it. Fact is, that coin is very sharp.” She drew a line across the waiter’s throat with her finger.

“Wait,” he said finally. “Can I tell you something?”

“That depends,” said Ava.

“It’s about a trip I once took.”

The women were curious. They agreed to listen, but they would not relax their grip. “Okay,” said Ava. “Go for it.”

“I once took a trip to Japan. I’d wanted to go for years and had worked and worked to afford it. On the flight over, I got very sick. When I arrived, it was all I could do to get off the plane. I spent four nights on the floor of the arrivals terminal, unable to summon the energy to ask for help. A young boy visited me in the midst of my illness. He wore the feet of a goose and the hands of a beautiful woman. He applied chapstick to my cracked lips, balanced a hollow apple on my stomach, then disappeared. When I finally had the strength, I opened the apple, which was neatly hinged, and I saw that the inside was an exact replica of my childhood home. My father was lying prone at the bottom of the stairs, not moving, and my mother was watching TV in the living room. I wasn’t there, but I wanted to be. So I tried very hard and soon I was. In my room. How I had missed it! I looked around at all my objects — the seed crystal, the thunder egg, the giant quartz. Then I walked the hallway slowly. It was dark. I ran my hand along the wall until I felt the banister. I stopped at the top of the stairs. I could see the outline of my father’s body at the bottom. I called down to him: What are you doing? Did you fall again? He didn’t respond. Instead my mother’s voice floated in from the living room. He’s reflecting on his life, she said. And on what he’s done to deserve it. And then, just like that, I was back in the airport, the apple rushing toward me. I bit it hard, to defend myself against the impact. It was instinct. I don’t like apples. But once I’d started biting, I couldn’t stop. I ate the entire thing, even the core, even my childhood home, even my parents. When I had finished, I realized: I had forgotten to eat me. It was on the flight back home that it hit me, what that trip to Japan had meant. It meant that I might never die. I might never die. I might never die. I might never…”

Ovelle slapped her hand over the waiter’s mouth. “There’s no point in killing him,” she said. “He’s already finished.” She flipped the coin into the air and did not catch it. “Now I remember what it was about Egypt.”

“Yeah?” said Ava. “Tell me.”

“You said you got very ill there, with some sort of fever only foreigners get.” “Oh,” said Ava. “That’s right. But then I thought of travel and came back to life.” The women relaxed into the cushions. The waiter rolled onto his side and spun the coin among the loose shards of what had previously been a table. “But it is like a coin,” he said. “It is what a coin is like.”

Eve watched him, her interest waning. She produced a limp cigarette. “I can always tell when a person doesn’t quite get travel,” she said, her thumb hovering, undecided, above the lighter’s little wheel. “They’re more like symbols than people, and yet their fright makes them seem so alive!”

Kristen Gleason’s writing has appeared in Boston Review, BOMB, A Public Space, The White Review, and elsewhere.

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hellosaltysaladcollectionstuff · 6 years

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This short story appears in the LARB Print Quarterly Journal: No. 19, Romance

To receive the LARB Quarterly Journal, become a member or purchase a copy at your local bookstore.

He was not handsome, but he was exceedingly unpleasant, so their instinct was to treat him very well, by groveling.

“I’m so clumsy this morning,” said Ava, as the waiter folded neatly at the waist and wiped the cream off the table. “I shouldn’t be allowed to live.”

He nodded and vanished through a shifting wall of curtain.

“I’m getting that itch,” said Ava. “I’m feeling exactly like a prisoner. I need to take a trip.”

“But you’re already on a trip!” said Eve, winking. “Where are you going to go?” “Romania, I imagine.”

“Do you know anyone in Romania?” asked Ovelle.

“No. That would ruin it, don’t you think?”

The women nodded.

“I should take a trip too,” said Ovelle. “Otherwise how could I claim to have lived these past three months?”

“You couldn’t,” said Eve.

“I couldn’t!”

“Where are you thinking of going?” asked Ava.

“God, I don’t know. Somewhere no one would ever guess I would want to go.Somewhere that would really destroy my personality,” said Ovelle. “And then remake it in someone else’s image.”

“But whose?”

The waiter returned. He delivered a plate of seedy crackers, and then flowed out through an opposite slit. The women laughed.

“The service here is unreal!”

“We are the buried tool of someone else’s afterlife,” exclaimed Ava.

But they were not dead, or even dying. On the contrary — they seemed to have too much of life.

“Maybe South Korea,” said Ovelle, making the curtains back into walls.

“I’ve always wanted to go there,” said Eve. “Maybe I’ll go after you go.”

“I’ll leave no trace,” said Ovelle. “I promise. The country will be untouched, by me. Only I will be changed.”

The three nodded gravely.

“Do you remember my Egypt story?” said Ava.

“There were so many stories from your Egypt trip. Remind me.”

“There were so many stories. That trip was pure meaning. But I’m talking about the dream I had, in Egypt. The story of that dream.”

“Sounds familiar, but tell it again. Why else are we in a cafe?”

“Two men, in dull crowns, peered into the cup. I was picked up, or the cup was, by these men. They passed the cup back and forth.

“I think I do remember that story,” said Ovelle. “But hearing it again, I feel I’ve learned something new. What a fount travel is.”

“What a boon.”

“I pity anyone who’s never left home,” said Eve. “And to be honest, I judge them too.”

“But wasn’t there more?” said Ovelle. “To that story? Something else happened in Egypt, didn’t it? I seem to remember there was some other thing.”

“In Egypt? Not that I can recall. I left that morning, so it was just an airport day for me.”

The waiter materialized in their cell. “More decaf ?” he asked.

“Why, yes,” said Ava. “I’ll have another.”

“And me,” said Eve.

“And one for me, too,” said Ovelle.

“Never apologize for visiting a place,” said Ovelle. “I can’t stand to hear anyone debase experience.”

“Experience is neutral,” said Eve. “Or it is virtuous. Those are the only things that experience can be.”

“Did she ever find him?”

“That’s the thing: I don’t know.”

“See? Neutral,” said Eve.

“Virtuous,” said Eve.

She hung up the phone and turned excitedly to the other women. “So as I was saying: Should we take a trip?”

Eve huffed. “A riddle. How rude.”

“Check please!” shouted Ava.

The waiter carefully examined the coin. “I’m sorry, ladies,” he said. “But we can’t accept this.”

Ava jumped onto his chest, Ovelle had his arm, Eve was on his feet. He stopped struggling and stared plaintively up at the sky.

“All currency is accepted everywhere,” said Ava. “You know that.”

“We will travel,” said Ovelle. “We will go here and there. You can’t stop us.”

The waiter was moving his lips around. He seemed to be working up the courage to speak.

“Wait,” he said finally. “Can I tell you something?”

“That depends,” said Ava.

“It’s about a trip I once took.”

The women were curious. They agreed to listen, but they would not relax their grip. “Okay,” said Ava. “Go for it.”

“Yeah?” said Ava. “Tell me.”

Kristen Gleason’s writing has appeared in Boston Review, BOMB, A Public Space, The White Review, and elsewhere.

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buynewsoul · 6 years

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How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out

Oh no, my dog got out!” Not surprisingly, if a dog escapes his yard, he likely went through, over or under a fence. “The single most common way I have observed dogs escaping from a yard is when gates are left open or not positively closed,” says Stormi Weathers, professional landscaper and owner of The Garden Path in Garden Grove, California. Dog parents and even regular service workers are typically attentive, she adds. “However, that one moment of inattention can create a heartbreaking situation.”

The second most common method of escape is digging out — or digging in by a neighbor’s pet. “This is a tougher situation to handle because to prevent it you have to create an obstacle next to the fence, such as a concrete or block planter or bench, or put down a barrier below ground level, which could require some pretty serious trenching,” Stormi says.

Also, some dogs might be too smart for their own good. “Some even learn how to open gates,” says Pam Reid, vice president of the ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Behavior Team in New York. “Understanding your dog’s behavior and potential motivations to escape can help you make the necessary changes to your yard.”

Preventing dog escapes

TWO RULES OF THUMB: Use fencing no one can see through or reach through, and don’t confine your dog to the yard for long periods of time. Photography ©artisteyephoto | Getty Images.

To paraphrase an old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of heartache.” One of the most reliable forms of restriction is a fence. “Galvanized chain-link fencing is the regular old standby fence to enclose a yard,” Stormi says. “It’s sturdy and durable. If it is tall enough, it will pretty much contain any dog.” Negatives are you can see through it, and a child might be able to put her hand through it and get bit. Stormi adds that other fence options include wood, vinyl and composite materials. A wood fence might be best for dogs who are chewers because other materials might damage their mouths.

To increase a gate’s safety, Stormi recommends installing a self-closing and self-latching mechanism on all gates to your yard. She says the hardware is easy to find and install. You might want to install padlocks on the gates to prevent anyone from opening the gate when you aren’t around.

If you don’t have a fence and are interviewing contractors, Stormi says to ask if they have a dog. “If they are a dog lover, they will understand your concern. I would also ask them if they have any suggestions — never be closed to an innovative solution from any source!”

The great outdoors isn’t just the backyard. Many owners have an enclosed front porch so Fido can get fresh air. The enclosures can be as plain or elaborate as you like. “It depends on the style of your architecture and, of course, the size of your dog,” Stormi says. “Some materials we have used to create a cool-looking ‘pet atrium’ on a front porch or side yard are perforated or plasma-cut metals and decorative wire mesh. These let in air and light and can be a beautiful architectural feature.”

Remember to regularly reassess your fencing needs

Something like a new neighbor might cause your dog to start digging under the fence. Photography ©merobson1 | Getty Images.

Once you have a fence or other enclosure, your work isn’t done. “Performing a ‘perimeter patrol’ periodically will reveal any covert escape routes in progress,” Stormi says. “Pay particular attention if a new pet or family arrives next door.” These new neighbors might provide a new reason your dog starts to dig.

“Secure your yard to make sure there are no small openings, such as cracks in fences or loose boards near ground level, for your dog to escape through,” Pam adds.

There are also times of year when you have to be extra vigilant. “One in five pets escape when frightened by loud noises, such as fireworks or thunderstorms.” Pam says. “Make sure to keep your pet secured in the home during these events.”

A year-round prevention tip is to give your dog plenty of physical and mental stimulation, like toys and hidden treats. “A satisfied dog has no reason to want to leave the yard,” Pam says.

How to find a lost dog

It’s not uncommon for a dog to get lost. According to the ASPCA, approximately 620,000 dogs who enter U.S. animal shelters are strays returned to their owners. Take these preventive measures to make sure this doesn’t happen to your dog:

Microchip your dog, and keep the information up to date. A microchip is an easy and permanent way to identify your dog. It also can legally prove the dog is yours.

“Make sure your dog always wears a collar with an ID tag,” Pam says. Include a local friend’s contact info, along with your own.

Teach the Recall cue. “A dog who has learned to come to the owner when called because rewards are forthcoming is less likely to want to leave the yard but, should that happen, the dog is easier to recover,” Pam says.

Download the Finding Rover lost dog app that uses facial recognition. Upload a photo of your dog’s face to the site now, just in case. If someone finds a dog, they can upload a photo to help find a match.

Attach a GPS pet tracker to your dog’s collar. Some even give an alert when your dog leaves a pre-determined area.

If your dog does escape, these tips can help your pup get home safe and sound:

The free ASPCA Pet Safety App has resources that include a personalized lost pet recovery kit and tools to make printed and digital posters. To expand social media coverage, see if your local city has its own website or Facebook page.

“If you can, leave the gate to your yard open,” Pam says. “Leave food, fresh water and a soft bed. An escapee will sometimes return back to the familiar yard, once the allure of running free wanes and the dog gets hungry or cold.”

“When searching for a dog, travel slowly and make frequent five-minute-long stops,” recommends Susan Bulanda, MAT, CABC, a certified animal behavior consultant in Westminster, Maryland. “Many people will drive around in a vehicle, calling to the dog. Unless the dog is within a few seconds of your location, he will not be able to find you if you move too quickly. They need time to determine the direction of the sound and then get to it.”

Call all local shelters and veterinarian offices. If your dog is picked up by a Good Samaritan, that person might take your dog to a shelter close to their home, which could be miles away. Extend your search a few cities beyond your closest shelter; call and visit daily.

If your dog has a doggie friend, take her on your searches. Have the dog bark to catch your dog’s attention, Pam says.

If all else fails, hire a trainer with a tracking dog, who might be able to follow your dog’s scent trail,” Pam recommends.

Being vigilant and taking protective measures keeps your dog at home where he belongs. And there’s no escaping the benefits of that kind of peace of mind.

Stories of lost dogs — found

ASTON—After escaping from his home and being gone for five days, Aston the Greyhound was recovered thanks to an unlikely combination — flyers, technology, pee and song. Aston escaped from his California home. He was a rescue from the Greyhound Adoption Center (GAC), which helped rescue him again. When Aston’s escape was posted on the GAC’s Facebook page, up to 40 people volunteered each day searching for him and distributing flyers. “Technology was the key to finding him in time,” says GAC founder Darren Rigg. “We kept updating the Aston sightings on our Facebook page and kept in touch with the volunteers via cell phone. Other animal rescue groups shared our Facebook posts.” GAC kennel manager Denine Hunt parked a van at one of those sightings and placed a crate nearby. Volunteers sprayed the area with dog urine collected at the kennel, hoping Aston would recognize the smell. He did and, thanks to Denine singing a song Aston was very familiar with during his year at GAC, Aston trotted up to her and was soon on his way home.

CHEVY—“My boyfriend, Kelly Gordon, had a black lab named Chevy, who escaped the yard several times. Occasionally the gate would not get closed all the way, and Chevy would use his nose to push it further open so he could escape and find adventure. Chevy was friendly and had tags, so luckily Kelly got a call every time. One time a woman came home to find Chevy swimming in her pool.” – Carrie Emmett

KOBE—“Kobe got out when I had him only two weeks. I decided to go door to door because I was convinced someone had him, and they did. I think they were trying to keep him. They never called my number on his tag. So glad I listened to my gut and went looking for him with my tears and all!” – Karen Clark

6 things to remember about having dogs outside

Dogs should never be confined to the yard for long amounts of time. There are many risks to this. Here are just a few:

A fence that is easy for dogs to exit is also easy for thieves to enter. A see-through fence particularly lets everyone know you’ve got a dog in the yard that isn’t being watched. Dogs do get stolen.

Overly curious children may try to pet your dog from the other side. This is especially risky if your dog is territorial or isn’t keen on new people. See-through fences are problematic, as children can reach in.

Foxes and coyotes are obvious predators, but even large hawks can and do lift small dogs.

If your dog is prone to barking, your neighbors may complain about a noise nuisance. You can be fined for this in many areas.

It can be a health risk for the dog. In some areas it is even illegal to leave a dog outside in extreme heat or cold.

Dogs confined to the yard are not being socialized and are at high risk for developing problem behaviors.

Elizabeth Anderson Lopez is an award-winning writer based in Lake Forest, California. She and her husband have quite the menagerie, including a rescued English Bull Terrier named Maybelene.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you!

Read more tips on Dogster.com:

Dog-Friendly Hotels to Keep in Mind for Your Summer Vacation

The Pros Weigh in on Choosing the Right Dog Gear

The Best Flooring for Dogs — and How to Protect Your Floor From Damage

The post How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out appeared first on Dogster.

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jeffreyrwelch · 6 years

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How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out

Preventing dog escapes

TWO RULES OF THUMB: Use fencing no one can see through or reach through, and don’t confine your dog to the yard for long periods of time. Photography ©artisteyephoto | Getty Images.

Remember to regularly reassess your fencing needs

Something like a new neighbor might cause your dog to start digging under the fence. Photography ©merobson1 | Getty Images.

“Secure your yard to make sure there are no small openings, such as cracks in fences or loose boards near ground level, for your dog to escape through,” Pam adds.

A year-round prevention tip is to give your dog plenty of physical and mental stimulation, like toys and hidden treats. “A satisfied dog has no reason to want to leave the yard,” Pam says.

How to find a lost dog

Microchip your dog, and keep the information up to date. A microchip is an easy and permanent way to identify your dog. It also can legally prove the dog is yours.

“Make sure your dog always wears a collar with an ID tag,” Pam says. Include a local friend’s contact info, along with your own.

Attach a GPS pet tracker to your dog’s collar. Some even give an alert when your dog leaves a pre-determined area.

If your dog does escape, these tips can help your pup get home safe and sound:

If your dog has a doggie friend, take her on your searches. Have the dog bark to catch your dog’s attention, Pam says.

If all else fails, hire a trainer with a tracking dog, who might be able to follow your dog’s scent trail,” Pam recommends.

Being vigilant and taking protective measures keeps your dog at home where he belongs. And there’s no escaping the benefits of that kind of peace of mind.

Stories of lost dogs — found

6 things to remember about having dogs outside

Dogs should never be confined to the yard for long amounts of time. There are many risks to this. Here are just a few:

Foxes and coyotes are obvious predators, but even large hawks can and do lift small dogs.

If your dog is prone to barking, your neighbors may complain about a noise nuisance. You can be fined for this in many areas.

It can be a health risk for the dog. In some areas it is even illegal to leave a dog outside in extreme heat or cold.

Dogs confined to the yard are not being socialized and are at high risk for developing problem behaviors.

Elizabeth Anderson Lopez is an award-winning writer based in Lake Forest, California. She and her husband have quite the menagerie, including a rescued English Bull Terrier named Maybelene.

Read more tips on Dogster.com:

Dog-Friendly Hotels to Keep in Mind for Your Summer Vacation

The Pros Weigh in on Choosing the Right Dog Gear

The Best Flooring for Dogs — and How to Protect Your Floor From Damage

The post How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out appeared first on Dogster.

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stiles-wtf · 6 years

Text

How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out

Preventing dog escapes

TWO RULES OF THUMB: Use fencing no one can see through or reach through, and don’t confine your dog to the yard for long periods of time. Photography ©artisteyephoto | Getty Images.

Remember to regularly reassess your fencing needs

Something like a new neighbor might cause your dog to start digging under the fence. Photography ©merobson1 | Getty Images.

“Secure your yard to make sure there are no small openings, such as cracks in fences or loose boards near ground level, for your dog to escape through,” Pam adds.

A year-round prevention tip is to give your dog plenty of physical and mental stimulation, like toys and hidden treats. “A satisfied dog has no reason to want to leave the yard,” Pam says.

How to find a lost dog

Microchip your dog, and keep the information up to date. A microchip is an easy and permanent way to identify your dog. It also can legally prove the dog is yours.

“Make sure your dog always wears a collar with an ID tag,” Pam says. Include a local friend’s contact info, along with your own.

Attach a GPS pet tracker to your dog’s collar. Some even give an alert when your dog leaves a pre-determined area.

If your dog does escape, these tips can help your pup get home safe and sound:

If your dog has a doggie friend, take her on your searches. Have the dog bark to catch your dog’s attention, Pam says.

If all else fails, hire a trainer with a tracking dog, who might be able to follow your dog’s scent trail,” Pam recommends.

Being vigilant and taking protective measures keeps your dog at home where he belongs. And there’s no escaping the benefits of that kind of peace of mind.

Stories of lost dogs — found

6 things to remember about having dogs outside

Dogs should never be confined to the yard for long amounts of time. There are many risks to this. Here are just a few:

Foxes and coyotes are obvious predators, but even large hawks can and do lift small dogs.

If your dog is prone to barking, your neighbors may complain about a noise nuisance. You can be fined for this in many areas.

It can be a health risk for the dog. In some areas it is even illegal to leave a dog outside in extreme heat or cold.

Dogs confined to the yard are not being socialized and are at high risk for developing problem behaviors.

Elizabeth Anderson Lopez is an award-winning writer based in Lake Forest, California. She and her husband have quite the menagerie, including a rescued English Bull Terrier named Maybelene.

Read more tips on Dogster.com:

Dog-Friendly Hotels to Keep in Mind for Your Summer Vacation

The Pros Weigh in on Choosing the Right Dog Gear

The Best Flooring for Dogs — and How to Protect Your Floor From Damage

The post How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out appeared first on Dogster.

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daddyslittlejuliet · 6 years

Text

How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out

Preventing dog escapes

TWO RULES OF THUMB: Use fencing no one can see through or reach through, and don’t confine your dog to the yard for long periods of time. Photography ©artisteyephoto | Getty Images.

Remember to regularly reassess your fencing needs

Something like a new neighbor might cause your dog to start digging under the fence. Photography ©merobson1 | Getty Images.

“Secure your yard to make sure there are no small openings, such as cracks in fences or loose boards near ground level, for your dog to escape through,” Pam adds.

A year-round prevention tip is to give your dog plenty of physical and mental stimulation, like toys and hidden treats. “A satisfied dog has no reason to want to leave the yard,” Pam says.

How to find a lost dog

Microchip your dog, and keep the information up to date. A microchip is an easy and permanent way to identify your dog. It also can legally prove the dog is yours.

“Make sure your dog always wears a collar with an ID tag,” Pam says. Include a local friend’s contact info, along with your own.

Attach a GPS pet tracker to your dog’s collar. Some even give an alert when your dog leaves a pre-determined area.

If your dog does escape, these tips can help your pup get home safe and sound:

If your dog has a doggie friend, take her on your searches. Have the dog bark to catch your dog’s attention, Pam says.

If all else fails, hire a trainer with a tracking dog, who might be able to follow your dog’s scent trail,” Pam recommends.

Being vigilant and taking protective measures keeps your dog at home where he belongs. And there’s no escaping the benefits of that kind of peace of mind.

Stories of lost dogs — found

6 things to remember about having dogs outside

Dogs should never be confined to the yard for long amounts of time. There are many risks to this. Here are just a few:

Foxes and coyotes are obvious predators, but even large hawks can and do lift small dogs.

If your dog is prone to barking, your neighbors may complain about a noise nuisance. You can be fined for this in many areas.

It can be a health risk for the dog. In some areas it is even illegal to leave a dog outside in extreme heat or cold.

Dogs confined to the yard are not being socialized and are at high risk for developing problem behaviors.

Elizabeth Anderson Lopez is an award-winning writer based in Lake Forest, California. She and her husband have quite the menagerie, including a rescued English Bull Terrier named Maybelene.

Read more tips on Dogster.com:

Dog-Friendly Hotels to Keep in Mind for Your Summer Vacation

The Pros Weigh in on Choosing the Right Dog Gear

The Best Flooring for Dogs — and How to Protect Your Floor From Damage

The post How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out appeared first on Dogster.

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