And... now we have two dogs.

So, two days ago, this dog showed up outside our front gate and wouldn't leave. He stayed there night and day. He wagged his tail at us when we left the house, and whined when we shut him outside the gate upon our return. I swear to God, this dog is the most persistent soul I've ever met. He put up with blistering heat during the day and stray dogs from across the street harassing him at night just to sit on our doorstep. 

Finally, we caved and let him in. He's so weak he can only take a few steps at a time, and his back legs look as if he has hip displasia or maybe he was hit by a car at one point in time...if he tries anything other than a slow and deliberate walk forward he falls over. He's old and weak, and will probably die this winter when the weather gets cold, but for now he'll have a full belly and a name: Muppet.