rebel.

This is going to sound crazy, but... I think Claire is being courted by a dog who lives down the street. Let me tell you a little about what's been going on, and you can judge for yourself. But first, for some background info: Rebel is a big sweetheart - he's a playful Husky/GSD/hound mix whose owners let him roam around the neighborhood all day, every day. He only has three legs because he was hit by a car while off on his neighborhood adventures when he was younger and they had to amputate it. [You think that would have shown his owners that it isn't exactly safe to let your dog run around the streets all day, but they apparently haven't learned anything, because he's always out and about.]

Occasionally we run into Rebel on our morning walks, and Claire always gets so excited to see him. Interestingly enough, over the past few days, he's been waiting for us in the morning at the end of the driveway. And he's been joining us for our walk. It's a bit tricky, because Claire always wants to keep up with him and check out whatever he's busy checking out, and sometimes she looks up at me with those pleading eyes like, "Will you let me off the leash? Please? Just for a minute?" Lately, when we get to Rebel's house, I've been letting myself into his owners' fenced backyard so that the two of them can play together for awhile before we have to head back home. I'm fully expecting them to come out one day and ask why I'm in their yard so early in the morning, but hey, I'm bringing their dog home, so I think they'll let it slide.

So what do you think? Am I crazy, or does Claire have a suitor? [I won't be offended if you think I'm crazy, by the way. But still, be gentle!]