Had a bad day

[norsegirl]

Last night I got home and released the dogs into the yard as usual. They were very quiet but I didn't think much of it. Turns out they were quiet because they were gone. The lawn-care people left the gate open and I didn't think to check when I let them out. Stupid me.

Anyway, I dropped everything and threw on a pair of sandals, grabbed the leashes and started running around looking for them. I ran until I couldn't run anymore, then I walked, and finally the pain got so bad I had to walk home barefoot (huge mega-blisters on the bottoms of my feet). By the time I got home I couldn't walk another step. Jason was home by then so he took a shift of running around with leashes, going the opposite direction. I stayed home hoping they might just get tired and come back for food or water. Finally at about 10pm Lizzy wandered in, alone, covered in poop and rather shaken. Now the poop bit was obviously some doggy fun from the beginning of the adventure, but where was Anna and why was Lizzy all agitated?

I start thinking the worst of course, that Anna got hit by a car or something horrible. Called in sick this morning so I could spend the morning on the phone to various vet clinics and dog shelters. Also designed a "lost dog" poster and came up with a plan for distributing flyers and going door to door just in case it wasn't the worst. On lunch hour I hit Office Depot and got it all photocopied and prepared. After a few hours of handing out flyers my phone rang. A vet clinic had Anna!

As it turns out, the beagles were "minding their own business" in the cemetary (with the "no dogs allowed" sign) chasing rabbits. They were of course howling, which lead to a nice old couple with a house-full of pets hearing them and coming out to see what was up. They were able to catch Anna without any real problems. Lizzy of course was another issue. They wandered the cemetary until 11pm, not knowing that the second they caught Anna, Lizzy headed straight for home to get her people. Unfortunately, Lizzy is no Lassie and was unable to communicate anything more than "I'm shaken". Anyway, they took Anna home and apparently she was well behaved with their other dogs!?!?! In fact, she said that their dogs normally hate other dogs and they figured they'd have a problem, but Anna was a complete angel - go figure. She was good with their two cats too!!! And when Lizzy got home I leashed her up in an attempt to find Anna and she healed!!! Apparently when doggie adventures go back, doggies become well-behaved.

Anyway, the dogs are back and the gate is padlocked, never to be openened again.

My feet hurt and I haven't eaten since before dinner last night - and forget sleep. But my dogs are home and sleeping soundly, all is as it should be and life is good. And thank god for Fenrick, who was there to answer my panicked call last night when I couldn't think of anyone else to turn to.

Comments

[ya-inga.livejournal.com]

Oh hon~! I've been there and know how it sucks.

SOOO glad yer girls are all fine and unharmed.

Oddly enough, it was an old couple who found my girl the time she got out too. Bless them old folks ; )

Glad that the only sadness in the end is blistery toes!

[utsi.livejournal.com]

eep! glads they are home now

[jopickles.livejournal.com]

I'm glad your dogs are safe and sound!!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_medb_/]

I'm so glad to hear they're home safe! :)

[bridgeoutahead.livejournal.com]

OMG. I'm SO, SO, SO sorry to hear about this story. The ending is wonderful, but the fact that it happened at all brings me close to tears for you. I'm a cat owner myself and I know all too well, recently, what it feels like when you're thinking the worst and believe them to be gone. I love my guys dearly (fiercely even) and I feel for you.

I'm very glad it all worked out and that they're only shaken for their efforts.

[sionnach-sidhe.livejournal.com]

wow, you must certainly have been though the wringer. I know I collapse into a wreck whenever I find a missing kitty, even if they're just dug in for an extended sleep under the couch or something. I'm so glad to hear that boht pups are home safe and sound! Make sure to eat something soon: healthy is good, but I think you've earned your chocolate. *hugs*

[haworth-attard.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you found my granddoggies! How frightened you must have been. I know they don't get out - ever - on their own, but why not have your telephone number engraved on a metal (AGH...shoot what do you call that - you know a little medallion) and put it on their collars, in case they ever get out again.