Not My Meme! #957

I play the fool all day erry day, because what it costs me is an investment in what I gain from it. Earlier in the week a dog I have been fostering was stolen by a woman that insinuated herself into his care. Suspecting nothing, I was glad he'd be receiving more attention, socialization, and walks she offered, as his residence was in another town and I could scarcely devote the time to him he deserved, but only an hour a day to train and tend to him. After six weeks of carefully observing her care, I was lulled into trust, and, of course, that's when she took him.

I do a lot of work for the folks in that neighborhood. After she lied to me about the dog escaping I spoke to one of the homeowners I work for there, whom I will be working for tomorrow, in fact, replacing the interior trim on the new windows I installed with wide windowsills so she can have plants and bric a brac on them. I explained that the dog did not escape, could not have taken his bucket of food and the waterer strapped to a tree with him if he had, and who did it, on the next day. I got a call yesterday from another lady I have served there who swore to me she'd get that dog back, and today while I was painting in another home there someone left me a gift on the porch anonymously. The people there know me well, and the whole neighborhood is nearly as outraged as am I that this dog I have volunteered to care for until their owner returns in a few weeks has been stolen, and they all know who did it and how. That's how the gossip grapevine works in small towns.

These people give me keys to their houses so I can complete work while they're gone. I install their safes. I know where they keep their guns, money, and jewels. They only have me do these things because I am utterly honest, and they trust me with their valuables because I have demonstrated absolute integrity for all the years I've been working there. I don't have to lift a finger - or my voice - to deal with the theft of the dog that was in my charge, because I am honest.

Lying, cheating, and stealing is foolish. Honesty is the best policy.