For the past couple of weeks, a funny thing has been happening in my neighborhood. I say it's a funny thing, but Mr Burns, our dog, doesn't think there's anything remotely funny about it. He thinks it's magic.
He thinks he has his very own Puppy Bunny.
At first it was just an isolated canine Finders-Keepers incident. Toward the end of our three-mile regular route, leaned up against the chain-link fence along the pedestrian lane was a brand-new dog toy. No tags, but clean. Burns pranced all the way home, tail high, squeaking that stuffed bone toy for the next two long blocks. Score!
And then it happened again.
The next day as we rounded the corner on Vendola, past the palms with their owl nests way up high, Burns got a little rush in his step. And when I looked over, incredulous, yes, there was yet another dog toy, leaned against the exact same bit of fence. This time, squeaky little plush football. More prancing. Score!
Maybe you're thinking we could have just left them there. I guess. But there's something adorable about a dog with a new toy, that excited high-step all the way home with treasure. Anyway, who leaves their toys on the street unless they don't want them anymore?
The third time didn't feel like an accident. It felt like more of an offering.
That's when Burns started talking about the Puppy Bunny. It's summer now not Easter, so obvy it's not the Easter Bunny. And since it's only interested in dogs, well, you get the idea.
When we walked by last night, I wasn't surprised that there was something there, against the fence, but this time not just one, but TWO toys were waiting.
Since he only has one mouth, Burns took just one -- the squeaky plush duck -- and left the other, a blue toy, behind.
I fully expected to see the blue toy when we walked by earlier today. But no, that was gone. It's good to know that some other dog is benefiting, too. Not just Burns. But there's more.
Oh, you're good, Puppy Bunny.
In place of that blue toy? A stuffed bear. A bear that's now in our yard, a little lighter without its eyes and some of the stuffing that came out of its nose, but loved. Loved.
Thank you, Puppy Bunny!
Later on, we'll be leaving a note for whoever this Puppy Bunny is, to express gratitude. Also, truth be told, to make sure that these treasures were left on purpose, and to make restitution if we've been breaking someone's heart, disappearing the toys that they left out, displayed against the fence, one and sometimes two at a time, not meaning for them to go home in someone's mouth.
Meanwhile, I'm enjoying this whiff of magic, the idea that someone is doing this, on purpose, for joy.
Whoever you are, Puppy Bunny, we're grateful. We're prancing. We're glad.
