Ernie should have been perfectly happy with his suburban life, but found it a little unfulfilling as of late. He wanted to get out more and see the big world around him. Having grown tired of the limited sights he typically saw in his usual day, his mind would wonder what else the outside had to offer. He had never gotten and could not easily get the chance, for Ernie was but a dog.

                He was a miniature dachshund with dark brown fur and light brown eyes. His belly sagged a bit but he was still very agile.

                One afternoon he had taken a long nap. When he woke up and walked about the house, he saw that a window next to the armchair was left open. Ernie finally had his opportunity. Without a second’s hesitation, he got up and trotted over to the chair. He jumped up to the seat and, not seeing what was ahead, leaped out the window.

                Fortunately his fall was cushioned by a shrub. Feeling a little pained, he freed himself from the plant and shook it off. He looked out at the street to the house facing him, then at his right he saw a row of more houses that went on further than he could see. This got him very excited, but then he heard something from the other direction.

                “Hey you,” said a voice.

                To his left Ernie saw a tall heavyset man. This man, an older middle aged fellow with short cropped hair, was wearing a navy blue jumpsuit. In his hand he had a rope fastened more like a noose than a lasso.

                “I can’t let you run loose. There’s so many terrible things that happen. It’s much too dangerous for a little doggie like you to be out here.”