the neighborhood thief

The Neighborhood Thief

Soon after we adopted Lucky, she became the self-appointed thief of the neighborhood. Our only option was to go door-to-door with a basketful of stolen goods since we couldn't figure out how to stop her. We apologized and returned the boots, gloves, screwdrivers, flowerpots, toys, clothes off the drying lines, and all the other small things she had stolen.

This went on for about a month. The day before Thanksgiving, I saw Lucky dragging something big tied up in a shopping bag. What now? I thought. I went closer to discover a half-thawed turkey inside the bag. As soon as I saw Dorothy coming up the driveway across the street, I knew where the turkey came from.

I'll draw the line here, Lucky," she yelled looking at the cowering dog. “You stole my turkey off the patio table!”

Lucky approached her and sat down in front of her. She touched Dorothy’s knee with her nose and looked up at her. A soft smile spread across Dorothy's face as she patted the dog's head. She looked into Lucky’s eyes and gently cooed, “Don’t you try to melt my heart with those puppy eyes.”

While keeping eye contact with Dorothy, Lucky made soft whining sounds. Dropping to her knees, Dorothy wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She hugged the dog and whispered, “Sorry, Lucky, I didn’t mean to shout at you. You’re such a cute little thief, and I know you’re a good dog.”

Lucky snuggled her chin against Dorothy’s neck happily wagging her tail, and then watched the neighbor walking down the driveway with the turkey. From that day on, we never had to return stolen goods to our neighbors, as if Lucky finally understood that stealing was not okay.