Time Flies like an Arrow, But Dogs Like a Milkbone

Sometimes, my problems with dogs is a little comical. Or it would be if it didn't contain a threat of animal violence.

I'm staying in a two bedroom suite that take up most of a house near Commercial Drive. I don't have access to the basement or the backyard. Someone else lives there. They live there with a dog.

Now I've heard the dog barking and it sounds both mean and loud. Since it doesn't have access to "my" areas (the suite and the front yard) I didn't worry about. Until today.

Today I leave the suite to go and meet a friend for a show. It's quasi time sensitive because the show is starting in less than an hour. Anyway, I'm standing at the top of the stairs, and I've just closed the door behind, which automatically locks. I turn to descend the stairs, and there's the dog at the base of the stairs, between me and the front gate. It's looking up at me with a WTF expression on its face that I'm sure I mirrored. I fish the keys out of my pocket, unlock the door and go back in the house.

The dog is medium to largish, looking like a Lab or a Rottweiler, that sort of size. I'm not sure about the breed. It's a dog built for mauling, not shepherding.

I only have one exit, the front door.

Plan A: go to the back of the house, open a window and try to attract the dog to the back yard. Yelling, thumping a stick and otherwise making noise does not attract it.

I look out the front window to see that it is sitting on the landing immediately outside the door, watching assorted humans walk by on the street. It is not barking, merely waiting patiently.

Plan B: I text the landlord.

There's a dog sitting on the front step. Is it dangerous to strangers?

She responds immediately with a statement that both fails to answer the question, while simultaneously answering the question.

I apologize - will call downstairs immediately.

The owner calls for the dog ("Arrow". Heh). Arrow ignores the owner until she basically comes right up to it. Then it's back to the back yard and into the basement.

So there you have it, trapped by a dog that may or may not have been dangerous, but everyone assumed it would be. An yet, at no point did it leap, bark or bite. Still, I'm glad no one took any chance. But they might want to check if the back fence was secure and/or high enough to contain it.