Originally Posted by cynsir (Post 2861837)

I understand. I was in the house with my three kids and was just opening the screen door far enough to put candy in the bags and closed enough to keep the kids in the house, more specifically Misty my Yorkie. And of course it had to happen, a daddy carrying his little one came to the door and pulled the screen door open all the way and guess what - - Misty was out the door before I could think. By now I know the route she takes, through the back to see her little s**t-zhu boyfriend if he's out. She then ran next door to the neighbors place and trick or treated with a bunch of kids. My neighbor tried to grab her but she's tricky. I'm outside ready to intercept her further run, she just flies right by me. There are kids chasing her trying to catch her which really makes her happy. Finally, one of the fathers (there were like three of them in the chase) managed to grab her. I was so thankful that she was caught before any of the many vehicles on the block moved.

I now realize that I should have put a leash on her before anyone started trick or treating here. Next year...

Originally Posted by Gennies (Post 2861739)

OMG I can't stop shaking!!!! I'm kicking myself for being so stupid! Bijou and I sat in the front yard handing out treats to the trick or treaters. Well, everyone loved her and my protective side started thinking maybe I shouldn't have her out here as others on here have had their houses broken into for someone to steal their baby. But we stayed out and she had a blast. When it was over, I put her in the house, and took my deck chair back to the back deck. Well, my dumb self carried the chair and little table at the same time and didn't lock the gate...You can see where this is going right?

I came into the house and got Barley (he was too mean to the kids in masks so he had to be crated a back room) and Garrett (he was too excited and barked at everyone to get attention, which is bad when your 135 lbs). We played inside and then I left them out to go potty in the back. I went back to move Barley's crate back to the den and thought, maybe I should go watch them as some people are still walking may try to steal Bijou. Then I seen the gate. I think if I was older I would have stroked out right there as it was like a shock went through me. Thank God I keep a bell on her collar as it's so dark in my neighborhood with very few street lights. Cars were going by and I'm yelling her name. I ran to the end of the driveway and she was across the street in the neighbor's yard. I could hear a bell, but couldn't see her due to the darkness. My neighbor (they are a very new military family) said to his daughter to stop looking and go in the house. Of course, I'm thinking he said that because she's been hit and doesn't want her to see the injured or dead dog. But she wasn't! She ran to me and was shaking so bad. Thank God I went out right away or I'm sure it would have been my worse nightmare. I just held her and cried.

I can't believe I was so negligent. You all know how much this little one means to me and I forgot to check the gate. My heart just keeps racing. I don't know why I felt the need to write about this here, but knew my YT family would understand how scarred I was. I promise I'll never walk in the gate with things in my hands and not stop to shut the gate again. I'm talking to DH about getting spring hinges for that thing.

Originally Posted by Misti1 (Post 2862239)

I am sooooooooooo glad this turned out ok......You know what my next door neighbor told me yesterday???

I have been in a month long battle with AT&T. This has requried them to come to my house several times.

The other day I had the girls out going potty, and some service guy came and did not come to the door first, just opened the gate, and OUT went MAYA. She did not know him so she ran away from him..INTO THE STREET...my next door neighbor came out and Maya knows her, so she told the man to stop, and called Maya and crouched down and Maya ran into her arms. The man put her back in the back yard and never mentioned it to me. I never knew all of this had happened until Myra told me yesterday. I am FURIOUS at the possibilities.

Originally Posted by Sweet Apple (Post 2862222)

Originally Posted by Mom to Hot Rod (Post 2862226)

I am so glad that everything turned out okay. Maggie got out one night when hubby opened the front door and he just happened to see her just before he closed the door. They can be quick.

Originally Posted by livingdustmops (Post 2862313)

Whew...these litter stinkers just try to shorten our lives....

Suggestions for next year if you are handing out candy from your front door is go buy a cheap wooden pressure gate and put it across the door in the inside so when the door opens you can hand out candy but the dog can't run out.

For more permenent gates I got steel baby gates and put them through my house as I think they look nicer. I got mine off of ebay.

Originally Posted by katy-yorkie (Post 2862551)

After reading posts like this, I don't feel like I am being too over protective with Buster & Maggie. I take a lot of kidding from friends and family but in a flash these little babies can be gone. I have even been told by a former groomer that she knew of people who broke into houses and yards to steal Yorkies. Needless to say, she is no longer our groomer. I feel so over protective sometimes but after reading something like this, I know I'm not! :aimeeyork :aimeeyork

Originally Posted by Gennies (Post 2862517)

Wow! That tells you that he's not a truthful person, or he would have said something to you just so you'd know. I'd call AT&T and complain on that one and demand that he never be sent to your house for work orders again. I'm so glad your neighbor was home and got Maya.