Howard named the poodle Pablito and began calling to him as he came near the house. After several days, the little white dog began sitting by the window with his black nose pressed against the glass, waiting for Howard to appear.
One morning Howard stopped opposite the window, said, “Good morning, my friend,” then clapped his hands and shouted, “Pablito, Pablito, Pabliiiiiito!” The little white dog responded by jumping up and down, barking and pawing frantically at the window. Howard smiled, waved his hand at the little dog and walked on.
Over the months this became a morning ritual; Pablito, with his nose against the glass and Howard calling to the little dog from the sidewalk.
One morning an old woman stood outside the house. Pablito trembled with excitement as Howard approached. Howard stopped opposite the window, called to Pablito and clapped his hands. Pablito barked and pawed at the glass.
“You son of a bitch!” the old woman shrieked. “You’ve ruined my dog! His name is Murphy, not Pablito!” She went into the house and slammed the door.
The next morning, Howard walked a different route to work and never went by Pablito’s house again.