The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Daytime

This morning I was awoken (awakened?) at 7:30 by barking from above. At the start of the year we noticed that our upstairs neighbors (who we’ve never met) got a new pet. At first we thought it was a cat because we could occasionally hear it skittering across the floor, maybe chasing a toy. This went on for several weeks and was more cute than annoying. Then one day the barking started. Our neighbors did not get a cat. They also did not get a small dog. I have not met this very vocal canine, but he1 has a deep sonorous bark – in my mind’s eye I picture a black Labrador. Sometimes the barking is only for a couple minutes (or even a few seconds), but other times it can go on for 30 minutes at a time. The worst part for me is not knowing when it will stop. This morning was one of those 30 minute sessions. I finally got out of bed at 7:45. I had already planned to get a run in before my work day started so I headed out to get away the from the barking. When I returned less than an hour…