As you know, our backyard isn't attached to our backyard. So, the dogs have gotten really good about letting us open the back door and they will run through the gate and into our yard on their own. Then when they come back in, they get a treat. This has been our routine for some time.
Last night at about 9:30, I let them out. Then I turned around to throw something in the trash. In that split second, apparently Mr. T decided to make a run for it. When I looked back out the door, I only saw Cheyenne. I went flying out the back door (in my pajamas and house shoes) and my poor choice of running shoes tripped me and I went down on the driveway on my shoulder and hip. When I regained my bearings, I went looking for him and he was NO WHERE to be found.
(Let me just share one of the mysteries that is Tucker. For a little dog that is slightly overweight and not very active, he can flat out hussle. When he is on the move, there is no stopping him- I don't know how he does it.)
I ran back into the house, grabbed some car keys and got in my car. I drove around the neighborhood for 20 minutes looking for him. I called Jason (who was in the back bedroom on the phone) and he joined me in the search. I didn't realize that in my panic, I had not only grabbed his set of keys but my purse that had my keys in it! So as I drove the neighborhood, I found Jason searching on foot... because he didn't have keys to his truck (oops...). We joined forces and drove around for a while. The longer we looked, the more worried I was. Oh- I forgot to mention that Tucker didn't have his ID tags on...
Then my gas light decided to come on. (Can I get a break here..?) So, we go home and switch to Jason's truck. We drive around forever searching. In my mind I was already decided what picture and wording I would use for my "LOST BEAGLE" posters. I was also wondering how badly my hip would be bruised from my earlier fall. Eventually we began to give up. We went home and Jason dropped me off. We loaded Cheyenne in the truck, thinking that she may be able to help locate him.
I went inside the house and they took off for the hunt. By this time it is nearly 10:30. I left the front door open to only the screen so I could watch for him in case he came home. I went to the back door and opened that one as well. As I walked back into the living room, I see a flash of white outside the front door. I ran to the door and lo and behold, there sat Tucker. He was out of breath and his tongue was hanging out the side of his mouth. He also had a HUGE smile on his face and a gleam in his eye. He was obviously very happy with the hour-long walk he had taken on his own.
I opened the door and he came jogging in and went right to his place.. for his treat. After all, he HAD gone outside and come back in. Why wouldn't he get a treat for that?? Duh, Amy. I called Jason so that he and Cheyenne could head back.
I got a glimmer of what parents some times feel like... you are so mad at your child, but at the same time you are just so happy they are safe that it is hard to be mad at them. As I fussed at Tucker, knowing very little of it was sinking in, I also just wanted to hug him! It is like the child that innocently wanders off following the cute stray cat... they don't know they did anything wrong.
Also, how can you tell this face that they are grounded??
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