Two reasons really.
First, she’s away, but we video chat or Skype a couple times a day. Her first question is invariably,

“Do I still have four dogs.”

Until today, I could answer “Yes.” Without equivocation.

Derby went missing. Derby is our street dog-rock star

He sneaks out of the fenced yard occasionally just to roam the neighborhood. As soon as he hears me call he is looking to hightail it back inside – taking the most direct line possible – which usually is through the hedge or his secret escape hatch.

Today was different.

It was time for me to pay attention to the dogs. I fussed over Sofi, ‘cuz she’s a girl and girls like being fussed over. I patted Oliver on the head because he is aloof and really doesn’t give a shit what I do or when I do it. Sedona is my pal and came over for her share of rubbin’.
Derby was… missing. Not on the back of the chair. Not in a sunbeam. Not in the backyard. Not shut up in the garage. Not roaming the neighborhood.
He was gone.
I wasn’t freaking because he likes me and I figured eventually he would show up.
On a whim, I asked Sedona,

“where’s Derby?”

Sedona and St. Todd

Oh she busted him good. Not a second’s hesitation, she took me from the kitchen through the living room, into the bedroom and into the closet.

Why? I have no clue.

I guess he misses Nanc’ and decided to hang in her closet.

Maybe the fact I found Derby will get me off the hook for the second reason she will kill me: posting this picture of her closet.

Bah, she’ll get over it.