Oak Park is a dog’s best friend

Last week we had at least five men in and out of our house installing the latest in cable connections. We also have three gates to our yard and two very friendly dogs. When my daughter was the last one to come up to bed at 10 p.m., she realized that Bogie wasn’t following her as he usually does. In the midst of a complicated day-long job, one of the men left one of the gates open, and of course that’s all it takes. We searched the yard with flashlight in hand, walked the block, and drove around the neighborhood.

Bogie was nowhere to be found, and no one slept well that night, including the other beloved dog in our house. I received prompt and consoling e-mails in response to mine from our neighbors on the block.

We all call our furry friend “Bogie the Wonder Dog” because he is so warm and friendly. He doesn’t even bark at other dogs if I tell him, “No woof, Bogie, no woof!” He just looks up, acknowledging the dog across the street or at the end of the block and keeps on walking, even though the leash in my hand is rarely connected to his collar. He’s not the kind of canine to run off-in fact if I stop to chat with a neighbor, he just moseys around where I am standing until I’m ready to move on.

All of this made his disappearance that much more upsetting; it was just so unlike him. But fortunately for us our calls to the police brought Bogie home-rather amazing since he left home without his collar. The call came in that a dog was found near Grove and Fillmore, the other side of

And we have someone else to thank. I don’t know your name either, but I know you have good friends throughout our wonderful Village of Oak Park. My son stayed home late from his job at Wednesday Journal, hoping Bogie could be found that morning. After meeting the police at the door, and bringing Bogie in the house, showing him some love, and putting Bogie in “his chair” to rest up after his wild adventure, Tim went into the office. He told his co-worker, Molly, about Bogie’s escape and return, only to learn that Molly’s daughter’s friend had taken him in the night before-and our good neighbors who made sure Bogie had a safe place to sleep, made sure he was returned home even though they did talk about the possibility our Bogie would be their new pet. I’m not surprised. Everybody loves Bogie the Wonder Dog!

I know this a pretty everyday story, but it makes me think of what a great community we live in. My friends and neighbors were looking and praying for the return of our dog. The police took our non-emergency call as a serious matter. My son’s friend’s daughter’s friend gave him a home for the night, fell in love with him, and then made sure Bogie was returned to his real home.

With all that love and concern and the helpful spirit it inspired in everyone involved, what else can I say other than Oak Park is a Dog’s Best Friend! And thank you to all of our friends, known and unknown, for bringing him home.

Living in Oak Park means we all have plenty of wonderful friends and Bogie’s tail is waving just for you!