I don't recall seeing that the dog had been abandoned all night, was that posted somewhere or it's a theory? Again if the dog is out alone all night, it rains almost every night in Hana, and even more so in Nahiku, Nahiku gets even more rain than Hana and it's often raining in Nahiku when it is not raining in Hana... So the significance of the dog being totally clean and not muddy, if true, is a very important fact.
I understand about the rain. I live in the same climate and exposure. By abandoned, I meant that in the account where Nala was found at the Marketplace, his whereabouts were unaccounted for during the night. You are right that "abandoned" is not proven and not a good word choice. I appreciate you pointing that out.
I have heard it stated that Nala's paws had no signs of the wear of a long trek, and certainly even to travel up the Nua'ailua Riad to the highway would make the paws muddy. I guess I had an image of the dog taking cover under some protection in the marketplace and not moving from there, possibly sleeping, until activity began in the morning. Did they have any other witnesses that the dog was hanging around?
I do see what you are saying about how it could be Young had Nala all night and the Monday morning was a lie. It's very possible. I wonder how close he might live to Charli's friends in Nahiku as well.
