Flying Dog Ranch is a glorious little oasis snuggled into a picturesque pocket in the foothills of the Sierras.  Flying Dog is home to four humans, three dogs, two cats, a rabbit, a school of koi, and a 250-gallon reef  tank ecosystem of tropical fishy fantasmagoria. A tempting hammock hangs between two giant pines in the front yard. A hawk lazily circles overhead. Birds and butterflies flit and soar. I can almost hear Snow White softly singing in the distance as I settle in for a few days of house-sitting and pet-loving.

One of my three canine charges is Joey. Joey’s beloved human, my friend Ginger, has warned me about Joey.  “Careful with him. He’s got the wanderlust and if you don’t keep a good eye on him, he’ll be gone. Even if he’s