After we drove the dogs home again, we were on our way to the Purple Parrot for some socialization of our own when a little boy (about six or so) held his hands up, making sure that we didn't run over his dog. It seems that "Lady" had decided to go wandering, and had no intention of letting the lad catch her, staying just out of his reach and grinning over her fun. I opened the car door, to help him catch her, when Lady decided that riding would be more fun and jumped into the car with us!
Der Brucer asked the boy where he lived, but he wasn't quite sure. The streets in our neighborhood curve and wander all over the place, so I can't blame him for his confusion. Would we like us to drive him home? The boy hesitated, then agreed.
He and Lady live what would be just a block away from us, but because of how the streets run we had to loop around and back again. The confusion came because Lady and her lad had cut through some of the neighbor's yards. Once the boy saw streets that were familiar, we were able to get him back home in no time. The boy's mother came out, surprised and worried by these strange men in a strange car, but relieved to learn that we'd been trying to help.
As der Brucer commented later, if we'd pulled that "good neighbor" business back in California, we'd have been arrested.