Actually, that's not how we do it in Japan-- we have to phone every
police box and station in a radius of however far we expect the pet to
go.  Lost dogs go to the police station.  I'm going to do that now.

She has a collar with two phone numbers, the address and my last name.
So far it hasn't failed-- most people who are brave enough to talk to a
strange dog are also very responsible animal people.

Out I go, having finished teaching morning classes!

That was the fastest purr reply in history!  She's back.

I walked out of my classroom at 10:30, replied to Bianca, walked into
the hall to sign out to go look for her, and the secretary came running
up.  All she said was, "O-taku no inu..." (Your dog...)

I said, "Wow, you know about my dog?" (My work number isn't on her
collar.)

She said, "Nishiyama-san has her.  He said he knew you were in class so
he will keep her till you can come and get her."  Nishiyama-san is the
man who does car repair for all the teachers here (international
school).  His workplace is across the park (where I usually walk Joy)
and she turned up there once before.  (Next time I'll go there first--
and the police box is right down the street.)

Anyway, the secretary of the car repair place had seen her, said, "Hey,
I know that dog", grabbed her and tied her up, looked at her collar,
and called the school!  They didn't want to disturb my teaching by
calling my cell phone.  Her theory is that the two (male) Dalmations
next door were the attraction.  (Yes she is spayed.  Whew.)

She's back, and I stayed home with her for an hour to make sure she
knew I was there-- now am back at work.  Thanks for all affectionate
purrs!

Cantate and Jona (who was worried out of her wits), Cherry, Chibi, Emma
and Romeo (who got an extra mid-morning snack out of the deal)