Just next to this pay phone there was a sign that said BEWARE OF DOG. The sign was wired to a chain-link fence that had sheet metal panels part of the way up. There was also a dog who was not the least bit happy to see me: he barked and snarled and hurled himself into the sheet metal with such force that I thought for a minute he was going to break right through them. He didn’t do that, but he was able to look over the top of them glare/snarl at me.

Anyway, if I’d gotten in trouble* the pay phone would not have helped me one bit: there was no dial tone, possibly because the dog had gnawed through the cable as part of his dental hygiene process for keeping his teeth nice and sharp.

Fabens, Texas
photographed 12.16.2025

*When I see dogs that I don’t know, I will always assume their Short Range Plan(s) include eating one or more of my legs for a snack. Not that I’m overly dramatic or anything…