Rick, my gentle, obedient dog, had begun barking at the kitchen cupboards late at night, fixated on the ceiling as if sensing something unseen. One night, after his frantic barking wouldn’t stop, I grabbed a flashlight and climbed up to check the duct. My heart froze — a filthy, terrified man crouched inside, clutching a phone, wallet, and keys that weren’t ours. I called the police, who pulled him out, weak and trembling. Later, we learned he’d been sneaking through the building’s ventilation system, stealing small valuables from neighbors who never noticed—until my dog did. Rick had uncovered the truth.