Update: The full story about the giraffe was eventually unearthed and can be read right here.

For years, I drove, walked and biked past this yellow giraffe in a yard that's on Lincoln Memorial Drive across from Lake Michigan and wondered about its (his? her?) story. The possibly vintage structure appears to be a piece of playground climbing equipment, and yet, I have never seen any children on it.

There’s something both whimsical and lonely about this metal giraffe, especially because it's the only thing standing in a massive yard that’s below a house high on a hill.

Recently, a sign appeared on the fence that borders the yard, reading "Free the giraffe." It’s a small sign with a simple, adorable and accurate painting of the giraffe. It made me consider who put it there and why – and if the giraffe owners are aware it's there.

With these questions and more in mind, I decided to knock on the door of the giraffe's house today. The front door to the house is located on East Back Bay Street which borders Back Bay Park. A quick Google search revealed the home has 13.5 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms. (And one giraffe.)

I rang the doorbell of the house, twice, but no one answered. I left a note and my business card, asking the owners to contact me so I could find out more about the giraffe. I hope I hear back. In the meantime, if anyone has any information about this giraffe, I’m all ears. And all neck, of course.