Something happened last night. I know it happened because I saw the results this morning. Also, the dogs were barking like crazy around 12:00 and I figure now that must have been when what went down was going down. I think I can deduce some of the connections between those things I know for sure but I can't be certain.
So, as I said, just after midnight the dogs were barking up a storm. I hoped they'd stop but they didn't, so, around 12:30 I let them out. I could see through a window that they were at the fence where they continued barking, but they left off shortly and came back inside. I managed to go back to sleep and got up at our usual time to go for a walk. Our usual time is around 4:00. I like to go while it's dark (before it gets hot and while there aren't a lot of other people, or any) so it was still dark.
When I got to the gate, I could see that it was busted open. I have a carabiner in the latch to keep the more "dogged" dogs from being able to nose it open. That was still in place so (deduction:) someone must have forced the gate without opening the latch. I had to work the hinges back into alignment but, all told, nothing really was damaged. We went for our walk.
When we got back, it was still dark but as I rounded the corner of the terrace, I saw that the back gate was open. Investigating, I found that the same, brute force method had been employed, and, as with the other gate, no permanent loss of function had ensued. However, at this gate I noticed that the shed had been opened, also forcibly. In the darkness, I could just make out that something was, indeed, missing. I have a cordless string trimmer/blower set (they share a battery pack that was inside the house) and it was gone.
After it got light out, I went to see what was the deal with the shed and its contents - or lack of contents. As I rounded the corner of the house, I noticed that, off in the other direction, there was my trimmer, and blower, and a machete that isn't a particularly good example of its kind but I've had it forever. Also there were my branch cutters and some garden shears. They were all stacked neatly, not dropped in a hurry when the dogs started barking. Moreover, when I went to put them back in the shed, whose door required almost no effort to return to complete functionality, I found, in addition to a cigarette butt, a hoodie and a bandanna (that had apparently been used as a head band).
I surmise that some guy - likely high on something stronger than pot - had come looking for stuff and found mine wanting. I suppose I should be insulted but I'm not. I suppose I should feel violated, but I really don't. I left the hoodie and the bandanna draped over the wall at the alley in case he wants to come back for them. I tossed the cigarette butt.
