I DELIVER PACKAGES ON THIS ROUTE EVERY DAY—BUT THIS DOG KNEW MY NAME BEFORE I EVER TOLD IT

In a familiar way.

Like hearing a song you don’t remember learning—but somehow know all the words to.

I tried asking around.

“Hey, that blue heeler on Maple?” I asked one of the regulars.

They shrugged.

“House has been empty forever,” they said. “No idea where that dog came from.”

Empty.

That didn’t sit right.

Because he didn’t act like a stray.

He acted like he had a job.