The Search for the Dog
Meanwhile, Mr. Hart had notified the local radio station to broadcast a
poignant appeal to the owner of the dog to come forward. The station was
inundated with phone calls, but all leads were fruitless. According what
little Bobby told them, a huge dog leaped out of a red stationwagon in the
parking lot of the supermarket. After biting him it vanished. The six-year
old boy was too concerned about the bites he had received to see where the
dog disappeared to. The boy's story was garbled, but he did remember that
the dog was gray and had a collar. There was little tangible evidence to 
go on, but the police remained sanguine. 

To feather one's nest--While working as the tax collector, he adroitly 
feathered his own nest.
(grow rich by taking advantage of circumstances)