Old Yellar Went Mad

The driveway went up the long hill and ended at the back door of the home. The lady of the house met us at the back door. She informed my client and me that she would put her barking dog in the basement while we looked at her house. This happens every day in real estate. I’ve worked around many pets in the home during my 18 years of selling real estate.

As we walked through the house, the barking in the basement told us that "Old Yellar" was a bit cranky about the situation. Once we finished touring the main floor the owner offered to put the dog in the back yard so we could see the basement. We thanked her and took her up on the offer. My client zipped through the basement and I could tell that he was not at all impressed with the home, or the huge barking yellow dog in the back yard. Back on the main floor we found the owner on the phone in what I would call a stressful conversation. She was in tears. Not wanting to interrupt her trauma, I mouthed a "thank you" to her as we made our way to the back door.

We stood at the back porch looking for the dog. He was out of sight, however, we could hear him barking. Since the dog was preoccupied with something down the hill and around the corner of the house, the timing was perfect. We started our 60 foot sprint to the car. Like being in a Hitchcock movie - the dog came out of nowhere in a dead run after my client. My client and I made it into the car with only a second to spare. The dog then decided to take out his frustration on the car. The car shook as the dog thrashed at the bumper, tires, and hubcaps. I started the car and slowly began to drive away, but the dog kept up his violent attack on the car.

Eventually, he gave up and we were on our way back to the office. Once we arrived safely at the office parking lot, my client got out of the car and said "Vicki, your tire is going flat!" Yes, the dog bit all the way through the tire’s sidewall. Honessssssssst.