An old, tired-looking dog ambled into a man’s backyard one afternoon. He was obviously well fed with a red collar and a good disposition.

The man pet the golden dog on his soft head for a few minutes, then the pooch stretched out and went to sleep on the sunny porch. The man went inside to make lunch and when he returned, the dog had left.

The dog came back the next day, and the day after that, sitting for attention until he fell asleep. Soon, he was coming every single day. The man didn’t mind, but he was curious, so one day he pinned a note to the dog’s collar: “Your friendly, sweet dog comes to visit

me every day for head pats and I wanted you to know that we enjoy his visits. Where does he live?”

The next day the dog arrived with a response tied to his collar: “Thank you! Our family lives in the blue house on the corner. We have five children at home and I think my dog might be trying to get some rest. Can I maybe come with him tomorrow?”