Dog Missing

Last night Sophie went missing.  I won't say she was lost, because she knew precisely where she was.  It had been pouring rain and hail all day long and she really needed to get out for a minute now that the rain had let up.  My son was packing his truck for the trip back to college and had left the side gate open.  Not realizing this, I let Sophie out the back door into the yard.    It was dark.  She slipped past Ahren out the open gate and away she went. 

I realized she was gone within five minutes, but it was too late.  She was out there somewhere in the night and could be in real danger if we didn't find her.  Her typical pattern, if she manages to escape the house is to meander down the usual route I take when we go for a walk.  Then, when we get to the end of the street, she heads for the hills up a walking path.  The last time she did this it was daylight, and I could see her way up the hill dashing around delightedly, diving into bushes to scare out all the birds nesting there.  She finally came to me, thank goodness.

Finding her in the daytime is one thing, finding her in pitch blackness was another.  Besides, we weren't even sure if she had headed up into the hills.  Ahren got in his truck and drove around the neighborhood, a container of treats at his side.  I walked up and down the sidewalk calling "Sophie!  Sophie!!  We searched like this for an hour, the skies overhead threatening to let loose another downpour such as we had had all day long.

By 9:00, I decided to go back home and sit by the phone in case someone found her and called me.  She was wearing her tags, so that was good.  I sat in silence imagining her hit by a car, kidnapped by gang members and being bait for pit bulls, or worse.  And then there is the coyote issue.  I hear those animals howling at night up in the hills.  If she had ventured way out there into coyote territory it could be all over.  My boss just lost her cat to coyotes last week.

At 9:30 I phoned Ahren and told him to come back home.  He had been out searching for her for going on two hours.  If she was going to come home when she got wet and hungry she would.  If a neighbor was out walking their dog before bedtime, there was a good chance she might join up with them and be rescued.

About ten minutes later I heard Ahren come in the door.  "Mom!  Mom!  Guess who I found!!"  She was soaking wet, muddy from head to toe, but home.

She had gone up into the hills all right, and Ahren had hiked nearly a half mile before she barked in response to him calling her name.  He ended up giving her nearly the entire container of treats he was so relieved to have found her.  And guess what?  When I took her collar off to put her in the tub to wash off the mud, her identification tag was missing.

If she had been picked up there is no way anyone would know where she lived or who to call.  Two lessons learned here last night.  The first one is obvious--make sure the dog can't escape the yard.  The second?  Check your dog's collar often to be sure the ID tags are still on!

Comments

[Miss Jean]

Oh, goodness. You must have been so frightened. I'm so glad Sophie is home safe. We have had similar incidence with our dogs. Maggie, for one, is a runner. If she gets out front she is flying as fast as her little paws can take her. All of our friends are pretty aware to be careful when they come over and are opening the door. We keep a padlock on the gate. When I had the bar-b-que for my Mom's birthday and had lots of people over, I just took her to the kennel.

I'll for sure check Maggie's tags today. Do you have Sophie chipped?

Big sigh!

[Fairy Mary]

I'm so glad she was found!! Have you considered getting a microchip in her?

[Melissa C]

So glad to hear Miss Sophie is home and well.

[Camilla]

I eventually bought a collar from gundogsupply.com, which has a name plate that's riveted directly to the collar. Before that, we lost several sets of tags when a human would accidentally clip the leash to the ring holding the tags, rather than the collar's D-ring, and lost several collars due to them coming off when the dog went swimming. The particular collar, a "Glo Dog Dee-End" has now lasted for three years of seriously rough use.
(Not affiliated with them, just a happy customer.)

[laurie]

So glad Sophie is home AND safe! I agree with the previous commenters - micro chipping is the most reliable way to identify pets. The first thing most shelters do is scan the animal to see if they have identification.

[Sheri]

Nicole, get her & Ozzie chipped. If they are ever stolen the first thing to come off will be the collars. . .but the chip can't be removed without surgery.

My heart sank when I saw the title of your post & the picture. . . I was so worried that I would end up not liking the result of your note.

I'm very glad that you & Sophie were reunited. Give her a hug from me!

[Lynda Green]

So glad for the happy ending - I have a runner and get such a scare when he escapes. I did scroll to the end to make sure you found her first.

[Sandy (Strlady)]

It's funny how we become friends without really knowing each other. As I read your story without knowing the outcome I had my heart in my throat and when I read that Sophie had been found, I realized that I was on the brink of tears. I remember how my Pepper always used to find any reason to dash out the door if left unattended. She would run around in glee without realizing the danger she was in because we always kept her sheltered. I knew exactly how you felt and I am soo happy Sophie is safe and back where she belongs.

[Lizzie Swinney]

Soooo happy that story had a happy ending! My dog is so special to me and I can't imagine life without her. I will check my babies tags just as soon as I get home! Thanks for the heads up! Lizzie

[Xina]

I was terrified of reading all the way down to the bottom....I did NOT want to see a sad ending....but I am sooooo glad you found that rascal. I'm a STRONG believer of dogs having ID tags....I'm known as the neighborhood dog narc...if they are in my yard, they get locked up in back yard while a call is put out to owner. 99% of the dogs escaped their yard...silly things. Love your blog by the way!

[Brandie]

Oh how scary. I wasn't breathing till you found her. I'm so happy your furry baby is home and safe. What a terrible night to be lost in, or looking for her in. We live about 300 miles up from you and the weather has been terrible. Take care, Brandie

[Lesly]

My heart stopped when I saw the title of the post and then the photo of that coyote. I'm so glad this story had a happy ending. I am too familiar with the fear and relief that comes from a dog missing and then returned. We check our dogs' tags every few weeks, because strange things happen to them - they get bent or go missing - and you never know when you will need them.

[Mary Flynn]

I could imagine how ill you were feeling just waiting for her return. I'm so glad this one ended with a happy ending.

[Carol]

OMG my heart was pounding and I was holding my breath...I was afraid to get to the end of the post, but then I saw her sweet face, and was able to breathe again. I'm so glad she's home safe and sound.

[Beverly]

Oh Nicole, that must have been so scary for you. I was happy to read a good ending to this.
Nicole you are a writer!! You do such a good job telling a story. You should look into writing a book.
I hope you have a good week.
Beverly in WA

[paulettte Doyle]

A happy ending to a dog owner's worse nightmare!! Our new puppy takes off when we are not looking...she just doesn't know any better..YET! We have fenced our campsite off completely so that helps a lot...but she is fast and always has her eye on the gate...keeps us on our toes. We take them for lots of walks so that helps curb her enthusiasm for freedom...but they love to explore!! So glad you had a happy ending. In Canada they tattoo ears and put in chips when your dog is spayed or neutered. That way if your dog is lost they can track you down.
Take care! Your dog is sure a sweetie!
Paulette

[Jan]

Oh, thank heavens. We have the coyote issue, here, in Murrieta, too. I am so happy for you. The two dogs we have now, are rescues, we've had them for over 5 years, and they won't leave the yard if they're not on a leash. We've had 10 dogs and these two are the only ones like that.

[Kristi Archer]

I am so glad you found her. That is a fearful thing. I have been there myself.

[Elaine S.]

My Bear would run to the next county if he ever got out, we always said. So glad your son found Sophie and she is well, as well as you and your son. Take care.

[Mary]

Oh NO. My heart started pounding as I started to read your post. I too have had the scare of my life when my dog has gotten out, but it has never been at night! I am so glad that your son was there to help you. What a blessing that Sophie was rescued so quickly even though it must have felt like an eternity. We love our four- legged babies so much because they truly are part of the family. I am so sorry that you had to go through this. But thankfully there is a good ending!

[Jocelyn]

SO glad that she was found!

[Sinta]

How scarey Nicole! What was that little girl thinkin'? I hope you gave yourself a treat too! I am so glad you found her!

[Barb]

I am so glad she was found and is back home safe and sound! Your story did make me check my dog's tags to make sure they are secure! I hope you can finally relax!

[Cara]

Oh thank goodness she is alright and got home safe and sound...you can get micro chips implanted so that even if they lose their tags a vet, or most shelters, can id her and call you to come get her.

[Thelma]

Nicole,
After the first 5 words of this blog I jumped to the bottom to ensure there was a happy ending to this post. I'm so happy Sophie is home, safe and sound. (I've been known to do that with books too!)

What great suggestions, the dog collar with the attached plate and the micro chipping. I would be like you if Cooper escaped, thinking up the worst possible scenarios.

Luckily everyone that reads your blog is having a day much better than if Sophie had not made it home. She is loved by many.