Escape Artist Tibbe Safe After Break-Out! Tibbe was just begging to go outside and I was pretty sure he didn't really yet need to "go" as it hadn't been a hour since he was last out. I, however, really did need to "go", so, though I knew better and always watch him when he's out back, I let Tibbe into the back yard to pursue whatever was so important, and hobbled(still on a cane from surgery) as fast as I could to the restroom and then right back to the back door as fast as I could and called him. No response! I called 2 or 3 more times with no response and hurried back inside to the den for my robe, looked out back again, calling frantically, and still no Yorkie! My heart jumped straight into my throat and I knew that the 2 minutes I'd stolen to go to the restroom, though I knew better, had maybe cost me my little sweet and so-precious Yorkie. I raced as fast as I could to the front and called him and got no response when I called 2 or 3 times. Back in the house and out into the back, calling him, and I went over to the far side of the backyard that has a section of fence that goes out from the side of the house to the portion that runs the length of the property to see if I could see how he could have gotten out. There Tibbe was - sitting on the other side of the fence! I nearly died out of such sudden joy and relief - I was so sure he was gone - taken or just out running or something. I thought I might faint but knew I had to get him as quickly as I could so I told him to "Wait" and dashed as fast as I could make it across the yard, through the house and around to the side, where my dear little escape artist sat waiting for his mommie! There was a bowl of half-eaten cat food on the side-walk beside the neighbor's house and I can only surmise Tibbe was eating or checking that out while I was out front earlier calling him. But he was still sitting by the fence where he'd been told to "Wait". I hurried to him, grabbed him up and into the house we came where he got a very nice piece of beef jerky treat and lots of hugs and kisses and praises for "Good Wait". After beating myself up all afternoon for leaving him out there even for just 120 seconds or so, I had to try to find out how in the world he got out of the yard. On the other side of the yard from where I first checked and found him, there is this one tiny space between the gate and the post that the gate locks to - about 3 1/2 - 4" wide, that I wanted to check out but thinking that there was no way my 5.3 lb. boy could get through that. So when I had less wobbly knees from my scare, I let Tibbe out back alone and hurried through the house out front and around to the front side of that gate and called Tibbe. He came running and hardly without slowing his stride, my strapping-looking boy slicked through that tiny space so easily and quickly I almost fainted for about the 3rd time today! I have had Tibbe almost 4 years now and that space has been there all this time but as he was 9 mos. old when I got him, even then, before he was fully fleshed out, I didn't think there was any way he could get through that space. And especially not after he bulked up more and gained a little weight from good nutrition and exercise after coming to live here - I was so sure he was way way too wide to get through that little space. Tibbe is a wide-built boy and I thought he was way too broad to get through there. Boy, was I wrong! Well, that space has been filled with bricks all around it until I can find a permanent way to close it off to him and I will never again let him outside unless I am watching! What a close call I had! I can hardly keep my hands off him this afternoon - I'm so thankful to just have my little one. So I've learned not to ever assume where my little boy's safety is concerned and that no matter how badly I need to do anything, it will just have to wait unless I can see Tibbe the whole time. These dogs size can really fool you. |
Wow now that was a scary story with a happy ending. Who knew Yorkies could compress themselves that much and of course during the only 2 minutes he was not being observed!!! I am glad it turned out all right and that he did so well with his wait command. At least know you know that even the littlest split can be a way out for your Houdini. Enjoy cuddling with your escape artist. |
Thank goodness this worked out well!!! I ADORE your avitar pic of Tibbe....I always felt it was his complete personality right out there for all to see!!! I would have been devastated if that little bugger had disappeared! And good job mommie, teaching "WAIT"!!!! EXCELLENT!!! These little snots can squish down just like those huge tree roaches, and go under or between spaces you just could not believe!! I am thrilled you were able to collect your Tibbe!(And I hope he enjoyed his little adventure, because I bet mommy fixed that escape route IMMEDIATELY!!!) |
Bless your heart! It must have been so hard for you to get around all over the place on that cane. You must have been exhausted, both mentally and physically. I know I would have been. I'm glad you found where he was going through that gate. You will be more confident that he won't be racing down the street without you now. I hope you've gotten some much needed rest and recovered from your scare by now. I'm so happy Tibbe is safe, too.:) |
Wow :eek: That was a close call, my heart is racing just reading about it. I live in a Condo, and we have a 3/4 fenced back yard (fencing on 3 of 4 sides)...and there is a big gap underneath one part of the fence...I always watch my girl like a hawk, because I always knew it would be an easy escape route for her...but when I was out the other night, a neighbour with a large yellow lab was calling and calling at the fence...turns out that his big 60lb dog crawled right under...I would never have guessed!! It is absolutely incredible how small a space these guys can get through if they want...and I guess the cat food was just tooooo tempting!! So glad you found him and he waited...what a good boy! |
You've had a rough couple of days. I hope the rest of the week is kinder to you.:) |
Oh dear, my heart was in my throat! How scary that must have been! They can escape in ways we never imagine! So glad he is safe. |
How well I know that they can squeeze through the tiniest spaces. Last year Bitsy, Scooter's older Lhasa sister, dug a small hole under the fence and Scooter went right through. I found him in the neighbor's yard peeing on the neighbor's lawn furniture. :eek: When I called him he came right away but I had to pull him through the hole. Scared me to death, little brat. :hearts6: |
Its scary when they get out of the fence. I am so glad you got him back, that he was ok and that you found where he got out. He is such a good boy for staying when you told him too. |
Oh gosh...what a terrible scare! I'm so thankful there was a happy ending! Libby is my little escape artist and instead of puppy proofing the fence, I Libby proof it! |
I keep looking at Tibbe now sleeping on his Cloud 9 bed and wonder just what state I would be in tonight if I hadn't found him in the front yard. I mean he could have found a cat or child to follow and have been off the block within moments perhaps! Now I have taught him not to go out of the front yard but I doubt that training would hold up for long if I weren't in sight and some other animal or person was, luring him to follow out of his terrier interest and excitement. I am just so so so so so so glad that I was able to get outside and locate him before a really scary situation had time to develop. About 6 blocks from where I live is a highway! Oh, it just scares me so to think about what almost happened! Hug your babies and watch them like hawks 24/7! They can disappear to quickly. |
So glad this turned out good... think I'll be checking the fenceline early this year... |
Oh my goodness! What a terrible scare. I'm happy all turned out well, and that you found the spot where he made his great escape. These little ones are just o fast and sneaky sometimes. |
So glad that he was ok and sorry for your scare, that has to be so hard. |
Quote:
Animals have incredible abilities when scrunching through tiny gaps. I found two large, beautiful, sweet, loving boxers peeking around the kitchen corner at me in my house one day...same deal...they dug a tiny little 'ditch' indentation at their fence line, scrunched under, and went walking around visiting neighbors as far away as...well... me. :p Good Tibbe!!! :D |
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