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That is so scary!!! Thank goodness she is OK! |
Please Read So glad that Elsa is safe. I read this article before I got Shadow. Yet, I am still trying to convince my husband not to let his/our 3 year old Viszla, Brandi run loose outside. Go figure. Trust-a deadly disease There is a deadly disease stalking your dog; a hideous, stealthy thing just waiting its chance to steal your beloved friend. It’s not a new disease or one for which there are inoculations. The disease is called “trust”. You knew before you ever took your puppy home that it could not be trusted. The breeder who provided you with this precious animal warned you, drummed it into your head: Puppies steal off counters, destroy anything expensive, chase cats, take forever to housetrain and must NEVER be allowed off lead! When the big day finally arrived, heeding the sage advice of the breeder, you escorted your puppy to his new home, properly outfitted with collar and tags, the lead held tightly in your hand. At home the house was puppy-proofed. Everything of value was stored in the spare bedroom, garbage stowed on top of the refrigerator, cats separated, and a gate placed across the door to the living room to keep at least part of the house puddle-free. All the windows and doors had been properly secured, and signs placed in all strategic points reminding everyone to CLOSE THE DOOR! Soon it becomes second nature to make sure the door closed a tenth of a second after is opened and that it was really latched. “DON’T LET THE DOG OUT!” is your second most verbalized expression. (The first is “NO!”) You worry and fuss constantly, terrified that your darling will get out and a disaster will surely follow. Your friends comment about who you love most, your family or the dog. You know that to relax your vigil for a moment might lose him to you forever. And so the weeks and months pass with your puppy becoming more civilized every day and the seeds are planted. It seems that each new day brings less destruction, less breakage. Almost before you know it, your gangly, slurpy puppy has turned into an elegant, dignified friend. Now that he is a more reliable, sedate companion, you take him more places. No longer does he chew the steering wheel when left in the car. And darned if that cake wasn’t still on the counter this morning. And, oh yes, wasn’t that the cat he was sleeping with so cozily on your pillow last night? At this point you are beginning to become infected. The disease is spreading its roots deep into your mind. And then one of your friends suggests obedience. You shake your head and remind her that your dog might run away if allowed off lead, but you are reassured when she promises the events are held in a fenced area. And, wonder of wonders, he did not run away, but came every time you called him! All winter long you go to weekly obedience classes. And, after a time, you even let him run loose from the car to the house when you get home. Why not? He always runs straight to the door, dancing a frenzy of joy and waits to be let in. And remember, he comes every times he’s called. You know he’s the exception that proves the rule. (And sometimes, late at night, you even let him slip out the front door to go potty and then right back in.) At this point, the disease has taken hold, waiting only for the right time and place to rear its ugly head. Years pass. It’s hard to remember why you ever worried so much when he was a puppy. He would never think of running out the door that you leave open while you bring in the packages from the car. It would be beneath his dignity to jump out the window of the car while you run into the convenience store. And when you take him for those wonderful longs walks at dawn, it takes only one whistle to bring him racing back to you in a burst of speed when the walk takes you too close to the highway. (He still gets into the garbage, but nobody’s perfect!) This is the time the disease has waited for so patiently. Sometimes it only has to wait a year or two, but often it takes much longer. He spies the neighbor’s dog across the street and suddenly forgets everything he ever knew about not slipping outdoors, jumping out windows or coming when called. Perhaps it was only a paper fluttering in the breeze, a squirrel o r the sheer joy of running--- Stopped in an instant Stilled forever Your heart is broken So is his beautiful body The disease is trust. The final outcome-killed by a car. Every morning, my dog, Shah, bounced around off lead exploring. Every morning for seven years, he came back when he was called. He was perfectly obedient, perfectly trustworthy. He died fourteen hours after being hit by a car. Please do not risk your friend and your heart! Save your trust for things that don’t matter. By Sharon Mathers Courtesy of “Canine Concepts and Community Animal Control” Magazine |
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I'm so glad your pup is safe and sound. I never let Calleigh out to roam free. She is always on a harness and leash. Speaking of hawks/owls, they can carry her off also. If you want her to be outdoors with you, why don't you get a pen with a cover on top. That way you can do your work and she will be safe. You are one lucky owner. |
OMG!!! I'm so glad your dh found her....how SCARY!!!! Loved the "she looked at me like I was stupid" comment...:D I needed that bit of levity after your story had my heart pounding out of my chest!! We lost our Daizy for a COUPLE hours one time...thought she got outside because our grandson kept opening up the door....we searched the WOODS around our house for HOURS.....turns out she was under our sofa....dh had closed the foot rest...and she was underneath sleeping...:eek:one of the ONLY times she's ever chosen NOT to bark...she just slept away. :rolleyes: Glad she's home safe and sound! |
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Ny worst fear is my dogs running out the front door. We live on a very busy street and everytime somebody comes to the door I panic. After I piost this I am going to order a gate for the front door. |
Glad to read the she is home safe and sound. It was a good thing that your DH saw her running after him in the truck. |
I thank everyone for all the kind words. The whole highway thing just sends a shiver right through me. When I was a little girl I had a little dog named Mickey. One day coming home on the bus from Elementary school I saw him laying dead next to the highway. I will never,ever forget that. I love this forum and I hope to one day meet a great many of you...God Bless. |
I'm so glad your little girl is safe. I've always lived near busy highways, therefore, always had a fence. It's too big of a risk. Give little Elsa extra hugs!:) |
I was scared to read this thread at first! So glad there's a happy ending and ye, good call on the leashing to a post when you can't fully focus on her...she's probably petty ticked and was having the time of her life yesterday but mom's need to protect their children...even the furry ones! Have you tried a secure play pen area? Elvis has figured out he can roll over and tangle his harness all up when a leash is attached to it...he's really not one for a leash, the first few weeks we tried to walk with one he just sat down and stared at me with dirty looks, I carried him most the time. |
Scary. I am so glad your DH was able to safely get her. One day my dtr called me and said she had just pulled up in the driveway and Maya, my pom was laying on the driveway. She had never ever run out after me. She must have slipped out when I left. I could have easily closed the garage door on her or she could have been lost or stolen. Luckily Maya was use to being outside with me while I gardened and never left the property. But I learned you can never be 100% sure they won't take off. |
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Also try an Apple cider vinegar rub on them to keep fleas and ticks away! So glad it was just a scare! |
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