Jackie~ I just saw this thread and I'm so so sorry about your Max! I have a Max too, and it made me stop and think about a few things b/c we've got coyotes here too. They don't normally come around neighborhoods (unless there's been a drought like we've had the last couple of years
), but when you live where they do, you never know ......we've got lots of little bunnies that are around the house esp. in the evenings and nighttime and I would imagine that's one of their main sources of food here, so it wouldn't be IMPOSSIBLE for a coyote to be in my yard. And when I think of how I leave the house when I'm going to walk Max, I usually just put him on the floor on his leash and open up the door. So I am very thankful to you for posting this, as awful as it had to have been for you. From now on, I will hang onto him until I've opened up the door and checked first. I know that a puppy was snatched out of his collar (not harness) and leash nearby, so I try to be aware of anything moving anywhere around us when we walk.
On the other hand; Congratulations on your baby Abbigail Rose...she's so adorable and so cute in her little pink sweater! I'm glad you've got someone to help focus your attention somewhere else!