The other evening, I got home before the Hubster and did him a favor by de-pooping the yard. After I opened the gate and deposited said poop in the garbage, I played with the dogs in the backyard for a while. A big dark cloud was gathering above head so I opted for some fetch and chase play rather than trying to squeeze in any walks before the rain hit.
After our play session, it was dinner time, the Hubster arrived home much to the joy of everyone and I settled downstairs in our den with a beer and the computer. A few minutes later I hear him call Hurley inside. Then I hear him stomp across the floor. Then I hear the front door open. Then I hear him call Hurley again. Shit! Hurley's not in the backyard! I run upstairs, confirm gate door was left open by me trying to do everyone a favor by de-pooping, grab a leash, some treats, my shoes and fly out the door. I yell to the Hubster "Go towards Lombard!" (the big busy everyone drives too fast on it road 1 block away from our house that I'm eternally terrified will be the death of my dogs should they ever get out) and start jogging in the opposite direction. My heart is racing a million miles a minute and all the terrible possible scenarios start sprinting through my head.
"I got him!" the Hubster yells in my direction within 30 seconds.
I return to the house to discover where Hurley ran off to: the opposite side of the gate at the side of the house where he sat patiently waiting for us to find him.
Note to self: Next time you think Hurley got out, check the front yard before tearing off to search the neighborhood.
Glad it turned out well, but what a heart stopping moment! Let's hope he always goes to that gate.
ReplyDeleteThe first time Delilah got out of the gate I heard her snuffling at the front door, since then anytime she's out it's been *game on* as she now loves going next door to the neighbor's house and seeing what little bits of gross she can eat.
What a scary moment, I can imagine. It's good to know he didn't decide to go farther away :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you and Hurley :)
I have had a nearly identical experience and found Turk waiting patiently at the front door for us. I guess some dogs just know when they have a good thing and don't feel the need to go exploring!
ReplyDeleteAnd he's saying, "What took you guys so long?"
ReplyDelete:) When Cali was a puppy the same thing happened. We left the gate open and ran out of the house in a panic, to find her sitting on the front porch - good puppy!!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness, always a scary parenting moment! And I'd just like to add Jay has never picked up poop even ONCE from the yard... it's mom's job. :/
ReplyDeleteOh boy, that really is such a scary moment. Don't these dogs know how much we worry? I'm glad he stayed close. Bet you'll be triple checking that gate from now on!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh. How scary. I'm so glad it turned out well, but those types of moments are responsible for every gray hair on my head! When we first moved into our house, we didn't know that the back gate wasn't lined up properly with the latch. If a gust of wind hit the gate, it would swing open. It took chasing Lucas across the neighborhood twice before we zip-tied it shut!
ReplyDeletePshew. I know how busy Lombard is...AND how scary it is when they've decided to go off on an 'adventure'.
ReplyDeleteGlad Hurley was a good boy & waited :)
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