What a scare!!!!!!! Still shaky!

[Pam]

I was just eating dinner and the dogs asked to go out so I let them. About 5 min. later Ripley is barking his head off and appears at the sliding door so I let him in. I called to Bella and she didn't come and I figured that she was probably just around the side of the house and couldn't hear me as this has happened before. Well I sat back down to eat and maybe 10 min. went by. Now I am getting a little concerned about why she hasn't come to the door. I went out back and the gate on the side of the house had been opened! (It is always latched closed but there is a way to lock it but we never bother). My heart totally stopped and then Thank God I saw Bella standing in my neighbor's driveway looking confused. I called her and said her favorite words "doggie biscuit" and she came running! I haven't stopped hugging her and telling her what a good girl she is!

When I think what could have happened....... She had 10 minutes to go God knows where! First of all, she wasn't wearing her collar!! She was at the groomer's today and I took it off when she came home. Also, Ripley wasn't wearing his collar this evening because I groomed him this afternoon and took his off also. I am still totally amazed that she and Ripley didn't take off somewhere. A couple of weeks after we got Ripley he trotted right out my front door and we had a heck of a time getting him! (it meant a ride through the neighborhood! ) Looking back now I am sure that whoever opened the gate is the reason why Ripley was barking. Thank God he ran to the door instead of taking off. Anyway, I say all of this to just reinforce the need to keep collars on. I sure learned my lesson! And the gate is now LOCKED!

I am still half-shaking but ever so grateful that I have my pupsters here right beside me now!!! I have learned something from all of this and that is to never take their collars off unless I am not home. (I usually have them off when I am at work because once before two of my RB poodles were playing and the smaller one's jaw caught on the larger ones collar and she was literally hanging from it! So, when no one is home they can have collars off but at no other time!

[Dogz]

What a scare!

I am glad that Bella and Ripley are safely back at home!

[Cincy'sMom]

How scary!!! But what good pups for not running off!!!


Last fall I was outside with the dogs, and then came in to do the dishes. I had not been inside for 5 minutes when the phone rang, and a neighbor said she had Spot and he was running around with 2 black dogs I ran outside to find I had not latched the gate right and all three has gotten out. Then ran down to the end of the street (never crossed any) and by the time I got out front, they were all back in our yard! Scared me to death!!! ( and I still don't know why the neighbor let Spot go, since she had him to get out # off his collar!)

[aly]

Maybe Ripley was barking to let you know that Bella left.

I am SO GLAD you have your babies and they stayed close to home. GOOD PUPPIES!!!! I can imagine how freaked out you are. I would be beside myself too!

I just love the pic of the precious poodles in your sig

[gini]

Pam, boy that is a scare! But it sounds as though you have a fine young man in Ripley who came immediately to tell you there was a problem!

Also, Bella was a good girl to come immediately to you when you called her.

But, my heart would be pounding too. Darn, we put everything into these guys and always want them to be safe.

[binka_nugget]

WOW! What a scare! I'm glad they're home safe and sound now.

I'd be a wreck if Kai or Kaedyn ever got out. We live a couple houses away from a very busy road...buses, trucks, and cars all drive around here. I'd hate to think what would happen if they got out one day.

[petlover]

Pam, be so grateful that Bella is back in your arms.Just do something ok?

Please thank God that she is ok. PLEASE say thank you. Because I know that he was watching after your Bella.. he just talked to you through Ripley.

[anna_66]

What good pups they were not running off like that, expecially knowing that Bella had an extra 10 minutes
If I were you I'd be hugging them like crazy too!

I'm glad that they are both fine, now make sure you lock that gate

[countrycowgirl]

wow thats scary!! im glad they are both okay

[K9soul]

Ack! That has to have been very frightening! I had one bad experience with Tasha once that gave me enough scare to turn my hair gray early!

It wasn't too long after we first moved into this house, and we didn't have Tommy yet, just Willie and Tasha. It was sort of a rainy fall day, and I was helping Willie up the deck steps since his arthritis was really bothering him then. I turned around, and Tasha was GONE! The yard isn't fenced, and it's a large lot (nearly an acre). We didn't have the underground fencing yet. Tasha had never wandered from the yard before, always stayed fairly close to me, but I'm guessing she saw a rabbit or something that she chased.

Well I started calling her, still not TOO worried yet as she had never ever strayed far from me. Nothing.. nothing.. I started getting worried. Checked the neighboring yards, no sign of her. I can't tell you the sinking terrifying feeling that came over me then. It must have been like how you felt Pam when you saw the gate open.

After about 15 minutes I was a wreck. I was weeping and crying her name over and over and in the neighbor's yards and out in the road, and then calling my husband trying to get ahold of him at work... When suddenly there she was, racing towards me at top speed, sopping wet and muddy-footed. Relieved is way too much of an understatement. I got her in the house and was just shaking and holding her, not caring about getting my clothes wet/muddy at all. I swear my nerves were totally shot.

Thank God it has never happened again. Last summer we put in the underground fencing, but even without that she has never strayed again.

[lovemyshiba]

Pam, what a good duo you have!!!
Ripley alerted you, and Bella did not go far!!!!

When we were at my parents for Christmas, 5 dogs got out--unbelievably, when Abbey got off the back porch she ran straight to the front door--I was so proud of her!! Jada ran straight to her daddy, and Riley did a quick lap around the house and came right back too. Now, as for Kito, and my parent's dog Spike, well, they had a little adventure, but came back as soon as I spotted them and called--boy did I shave a few years off my life that night!!!!!!!!!


I am so glad your babies are right there with you right now, give them a big hug and a kiss from me please!!!!

[Tonya]

Scary! I'm glad you found your puppy quickly! Dusty and Roxy would have split. They don't give me notice.

[jenfer]

I am glad Bella is home safe now.

[shais_mom]

WOW!!
I am glad your babies are safe Pam!!! That is so scary.
Keegan hasn't done that for a long time, altho she did something the other day that put both our lives on the line. That we won't be doing again. But my queen of escape was my RB greyhound Shaianne. omg the stories of her escapes are too numerous to count.
Thank God Bella and Ripley are safe at home!!

[CathyBogart]

Whew! What a scare! I'm soo glad everyone is safe and sound!