doggie time out

About two years ago I get new neighbors.  A handsome-ish single man moves in.  He shares custody with his ex-wife and has three young kids who often visit.  They are all very nice.  Every time I see Henry in the hallway, he is well-mannered, soft-spoken, friendly and engaging.  But he’s a yeller.  I can sometimes hear him screaming at –what I can only imagine-is his ex.  He yells at his kids too, but otherwise appears to be a good dad.   

About a year ago, his kids got an adorable little puppy of some unrecognizable mix.  He barks a lot, but I’m not really bothered by it.

Last week I was turning the corner along my corridor to walk down the stairs when I was startled to see two of Henry’s kids (around 8 and 11).  When I asked them what they were doing in the hallway, they sheepishly responded, “My dad’s making us stay out here.”  “What did you do,” I asked.  They didn’t want to tell me.  They looked so sad; I couldn’t help but feel sorry for them. 

Today, I am home doing work, and I hear their little dog barking away.  I easily tune him out, but the barking unceasingly continues.  Finally, I open my door and there he is.  Barking ferociously at me, while locked out of his own apartment. 

I can’t imagine what he did to deserve his time out, but it must have been pretty bad. I knock on my neighbor’s door, but no one answers.  I then call the doorman who comes up with a master key and lets the dog back in.  Poor thing.  I hope he’s forgiven.