In Red Dog's life, no mystery was greater than that of the house.In Red Dog's life, no mystery was greater than that of the house.
Though Red Dog could romp in any field or woods, or take a nap beside any road or ditch, never could he enter the house. The only place I ever went without him was into the house. If I came outside wearing clothes different from those I had worn when I entered the house, Red Dog would look at me in amazement.
"Red Dog," I'd say, "do you think that when I go inside the house I become someone else? Do you think that inside the house I travel to other worlds, or do magical things? When you stand beside the screen door hearing voices and music on the radio, do you think that inside I'm having a party with elves and gnomes?
Sometimes I laughed when I thought about what Red Dog must have imagined as he sat outside the screen door. Yes: What went on inside Red Dog's mind was my favorite mystery.
Once I thought about letting Red Dog come inside -- just for a few moments -- so I could watch his face as he looked around.
But, I never did.