No Headway

I was working outside raking leaves and grinding them up in the chipper/shredder. The noise is horrendous so Ray was staying inside.

After about 10 minutes of work, I checked on him just to make sure he wasn't getting into anything. Ray was in the front hallway, peacefully chewing a rawhide strip. I returned to work.

After another 10 or 15 minutes, I checked on him again. Ray was on a chair in the living room, curled up, looking peaceful.

After another 15 or 20 minutes, I checked on him again. Ray was curled up in bed, looking wide awake, but peaceful.

After another 20 or 30 minutes, I checked on him again. Ray was nowhere to be seen. The gate to the upstairs was open. I dropped my rake and ran upstairs. Ray was just coming out of the cats' room. All the dishes were empty but the bags of food were safe in a metal box (which is where they've been ever since he ate the bag of cat food last time). Moonie was in her tent completely oblivious. Hugo was in bed watching interestedly as I dragged Ray out of the room, refilled the cat dishes and put the lock on the cat room door. I took Ray downstairs, closed the gate and went back outside.

After another 10 minutes, I checked on him again. Ray was once again nowhere to be seen. The gate to the upstairs was open. I called "Ray. RAY. RAY!," then dropped my rake and walked to the stairs. Ray was standing at the top of the stairs "looking" down at me. He had a bit of drool hanging from his mouth. The hook and eye was still in place on the cat room door - holding it ajar just enough to let the cats in. There was a small puddle - right about where Ray's head is usually jammed through the crack - where he pushes and pushes but makes no headway against the hook and eye. Coulda been dog drool but I couldn't prove it.

I went back outside to work.