I'm so glad you guys were able to find the owner! Smart move to look for fenced yards. I bet the guy was defensive as well because he'd probably been going over in his own mind what he ought to have done differently to take better care of his dogs...Good story! Is it really weird that I never connected the two passages? I always thought about the ox and the sheep being livelihood things and that the commandment was more or less a continuation of the 'thou shalt not steal' commandment, but I think you're totally right! It's another illustration of the way that loving your neighbor as yourself and loving God with all your being will make it natural to keep the commandments of God, isn't it? It all is so beautifully complete! @ironshield