The strange dog turned up unannounced one day at McDonalds Downtown Restaurant.

Amy at the Drive-Thru saw him first through the customer service window. He looked to be some sort of a bear dog cross and he wasn’t wearing a collar. She didn’t exactly think he was the most handsome hound she’d ever seen but she would have been too polite to say so. Her thoughts wandered to the puppy she’d always wanted for herself. She’d prefer something a little cuter than this fellow, perhaps a lap dog, but every time she’d suggested it her father always said no. She was busy staring at the strange dog when Mrs. Kimlee, the Store Manager, interrupted her daydreams.

“Are you alright, Amy?” she called, unaware of what the young girl was looking at or thinking.

Amy snapped out of it and returned to the real world.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“We’re here to serve customers not lollygag,” pointed out the Manager.

“Yes, Mrs. Kimlee.”

Lollygag was a word Mrs. Kimlee often used and Amy wasn’t exactly sure what it meant except that it must have something to do with goofing off.

The young girl returned to her duties and the stray hound stationed himself around the corner outside the front door. Those customers entering the restaurant he left alone. It was those leaving with food he was interested in and he began begging for handouts. Several such attempts went unrewarded.

It soon became obvious that this strange dog was stranger than anybody knew. He had a severe attitude problem. A gentleman leaving with a McValue Meal was the first to witness this first hand.

“Sorry, feller. This is mine,” said the Man in response to the bear dog’s plaintive whining.

With that the dog barked viciously and snapped at his ankle. The Man dropped his purchase in fright and surprise as the dog turned on him. The McValue Meal was soon gobbled up, fries and all, and the dog retreated out of sight.

The Man went back inside and complained to Mrs. Kimlee. Stray dogs were really out of her control, she said, but she replaced the Man’s order as a goodwill gesture. She walked outside with the man when he left the second time but there was no sign of the stray.

“He’s gone,” said the Man stating the obvious with relief. “Probably because he’s got a full stomach.”

Mrs. Kimlee shrugged. It was just one of those things, she thought.