Surprise!

 I swung into substitute teacher mode to go over and puppysit.

I thought he'd been alone for quite awhile whimpering in the dark, but I guess I came in just after somebody left. But here's the thing, I'm the type of person who never goes anywhere without an umbrella, used to pack stuff in my backpack when I subbed, small deodorant for girl students who forgot? I had it. So, got the puppy all set to go out with everything, including the pup, ready, and that included having a mask attached to my ears in the dark in the backyard. Good thing, too, because the puppy was yelping at something...a couple picking up the leaf bags. We went to the other side of the yard, and the couple opened a gate I didn't even know was there, to get the other leaf bags. In each case, I quickly and awkwardly pulled on my mask, though I don't know how effectively. Even though I'm not a boy scout, I say, "be prepared". You may not think you'll encounter people while taking care of a puppy all alone in the dark, but you never know. I live in the mitten, and we get hit more than once these days, so does our cousin across the big pond. Be safe.