Roger slipped his lead this afternoon and in a fit of excitement got himself lost on the Dyserth walkway for over two hours! .
I was frantic as his dim nature belies any common sense homing instinct and was filled with that hollow dread any parent feels when their child slips a hand and gets lost in the crowd.
I walked up and down the old railway line until dusk with Mary tiredly in tow, until a young couple told me that he was sat in the car park with their mother after climbing into their car in the faint hope he was going home.
He whimpered when he saw us, wrapping his paws around my forearm until I got him home and there he sat on my knee as I rocked him like a baby .
I found myself tearfully half-singing a song to him as he fell fast asleep, his muddy paws twitching gently in tired stress
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skys are Grey,
You’ll never know dear,
How much I love you,
please don’t take my sunshine away ……
Oh, John! Oh, Roger! Oh, Mary! Just glad all ended well. xx
ReplyDeleteI lost George once but nothing like today, 2 hours is a long time and poor old Mary was knackered too
DeleteAbsolutely terrifying. So glad he’s home safe.
ReplyDeleteI know he’s microchipped but I was frantic
DeleteHow scary, John, and am so very glad and thankful for a happy ending before it got dark. Glad for the kindness of those who found Roger and could tell you he was okay and where to find him. Ah, the kindness of strangers.
ReplyDeleteHope you've had a very welcome G&T to help yourself calm down.
Hugs!
See later
DeleteI can't imagine the worry of Roger being lost.
ReplyDeleteHe's okay and that's important. Consider buying him a harness to replace the collar. He'll never slip out of the harness.
Im usually careful with the welsh as historically they dont come when called they have their own minds. Only william never ran off
DeleteWell, that made my heart ache for you - 2 HOURS????? So glad it had a happy ending! I know I sound like a broken record, but another one for your book.
ReplyDeleteMy heart ached...yes
DeleteThat would be so scary! I had a no homing instinct wire fox terrier. She got out and ran through the neighbor’s open front door, up the stairs and napped on a bed. We didn’t know the neighbor…
ReplyDeleteThe welsh are similar to fox terriers
DeleteOh my goodness. My heart aches for you even though you made this into a story the pain of it is evident
ReplyDeleteXx
Lee
It was a true gulp moment lee
DeleteOh, I know that hollow panic SO well. Especially with a dog that doesn't usually do that sort of thing. But good lost dogs somehow attract angels to find and look after them, and that was what happened with Roger, so bless him and bless his rescuers. I can imagine your relief. Dim and lovable is a special connection.....and cuddles with a heartfelt little song were what you both needed. And a happy ever after!
ReplyDeleteI cried a little
Delete"In the faint hope he was going home'
ReplyDeleteThat broke my heart!
It broke.mine
DeleteHow precious is our love ❤️. So pleased that you are all reunited. I’ve been singing this song to myself for the past two years since I lost my DH.
ReplyDeleteI didnt realiise i was singing it
DeleteYou are a drama queen but boy can you tell a story
ReplyDeleteIm crying
Keith
Xx
Lol tjanks man xx
DeleteOMG this was a heart wrenching post. So glad you found him! Linda
ReplyDeleteWe did x
DeleteI have been there, but not for two hours. OMG, your poor heart. I'm so glad he found a safe place with kindly people. Hugs, hugs and more hugs. xx
ReplyDeleteHorrible horrible
DeleteBloody dog. I'm so glad he was found and is safe back home with you.
ReplyDeleteX
DeleteSo glad you found Roger!!! Dang it... crying as I type. Hugs to you, Roger, and sweet, patient Mary!
ReplyDeleteIt’s been a shit day
DeleteOh lord, can you start such posts with “happy ending” to save the stress on your readers.
ReplyDeleteYou must have been frantic..bloody animals will be the death of us!
They will x
DeleteThank goodness! I hope you're OK, John. Xx
ReplyDeleteI’m fine, just a bit fraught
DeleteWonder what became of my earlier comment???
ReplyDeleteSo very glad this scary episode had a happy ending and that those folks you met knew where Roger was! Ah, the kindness of strangers.
Hope you, Mary, and Roger have recovered and that you had a fortifying G&T when there was time.
Hugs!
Three gins
DeleteI looked it up G & Ts are okay for diabetics, I was so surprised.
Delete''People with diabetes can drink gin and tonic if they choose to drink in moderation and use sugar-free mixers.
Explanation
Gin
Gin is a distilled spirit that's naturally sugar-free and has no carbohydrates.
Mixers
Tonic water contains added sugar, so it's best to use a sugar-free or diet mixer.''
enjoy, you need it today.
Look out John the diabetic diet poice are behind you!
DeleteLook out John the diabetic diet police are behind you!
DeleteMaybe Roger thought that car in the car park was a taxi. But how did he imagine he was going to pay for it as he had left his wallet at home?
ReplyDeleteMy dear John
ReplyDeleteThat was a scary read so I cannot imagine living that experience
Sending love
Siobhan x
I think remembering the car park and finding it , going there; latching onto a gentle lady for
ReplyDeletesafety is pretty darn intelligent. Roger is a smart boy. W kids we always said go back to the entrance or the car and wait---he knew that! [tho my kids adored having mom or dad paged, the brats]. I use a no escape harness on Baby Mo if you'd like to try one. Mo is an escape artist and a runner but has never gotten out of this style. A non restrictive collar with a tag w your cell phone number is also a good idea since you go to isolated places w dogs off lead. Only wear it for walks like today's. You don't attach the lead to the collar but to the harness. And---are your dogs chipped for ID?
I'll bet his little heart is aching as well.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness he was found! How scary for you.
ReplyDeleteStay safe all of you!
Heck, that will have raised your BP!! Poor boy, and poor You! SO glad/relieved the story ends happily.
ReplyDeleteYou will all sleep well tonight .Safe together at home xx
ReplyDeleteGosh my heart was in my mouth - so upsetting for everyone (you, Mary, Roger.....). My dim little dog got away from me on a path in the woods, ran after a man she could see way ahead of us (theory is that she got turned around, couldn't see me, thought man was my husband.....) and ended up being lost OVERNIGHT. Someone posted on the local Facebook that there was a little lost white dog and word got back to us the next morning that she was on the porch of a house about a block from where I had originally parked. Terrifying. Being chipped is great if someone finds the dog and takes it to a vet to have the chip scanned, but it doesn't do a darn thing to actually locate the dog. She now has an AirTag type thing but thankfully it has not been needed.
ReplyDeleteI'm now full of panic adrenaline reliving the whole thing......
Don't do that again Roger!
Ceci
I can't help but think of the words to that poem, "I bid you beware Of giving your heart to a dog to tear...."
ReplyDeleteAnd I can't help but think his heart was probably being torn at the same time yours was. I'm so glad you were reunited with him!
Happy ending! If I were you I would get dear Roger a collar with your name, address, & phone number on it. For the next time.
ReplyDeleteToo much adventure. Glad he's back.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness Roger was found and is now safe & sound back home with you!
ReplyDeleteWell that story had a happy ending.
ReplyDeleteWhen I walk with Billy I see him looking around every so often to see that I'm still there, or to make sure where I am. He never runs off. Naughty Roger.
ReplyDeleteWe can feel the pain you'd have gone through in the time spent missing him - and rejoice with you (AND him) in his being found. One mighty relief! PLEASE, Roger. Don't do it again........EVER!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love that cartoon. It really illustrates so well Roger's relief at seeing you again.
ReplyDeleteSo pleased that you found him, but 2 hours is a long time.I feel for you. My new rescue dog found a way out of our garden last week ( a small hole under a fence in a corner..probably dug by a fox) and was gone for about 20 minutes while I went knocking on doors and calling him. He found his own way back..such a relief !
ReplyDeleteSomeone suggested a harness as they are harder to slip
out of than a collar.....the new boy has one from Pets at Home....and I think she referred to it as " vest type" when I bought it.....no way he can get out of it!!
My dog had a neck injury and vet said no more collar-get a harness. Few things are scarier than having a dog run off. Smart pup to return home!
DeleteOh my so pleased you found each other. That has made me cry bless you both. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteWhat a fright. So glad all ended well.
ReplyDeleteCarole R
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, what a terrifying two hours. So glad that the strangers saved little Roger. Hope he never runs off again.
ReplyDeleteOh, that drawing made my heart swim with love, John. These little 4-legged souls can add AND take years off of our lives! So glad for the happy ending. Karla in Illinois
ReplyDeleteThank goodness he found good people and you got him back. I know that ice-cold, heart-stopping moment only too well. He'll be stuck to you like glue for the next few days and you will have a minor panic every time he is out of your sight. But all's well that ends well. ❤️xx
ReplyDeleteTears of love.
ReplyDeleteOh, poor, poor baby. And poor you! So sorry this happened. So very frightening. All is well now but I wish you hadn't had to go through this.
ReplyDeleteGlad he is safe. Dog harness is safer than a leash. X
ReplyDeleteLate to this John - sooooo happy for you that you found dear Roger. The song made me tear up x
ReplyDeleteThat’s from me - Alison in Wales x
DeleteYou do paint a picture, John! His little paws around your arm, you rocking him on your knee, singing. Had me teary-eyed, y'did.
ReplyDeleteThis put me in a panic til I read the happy ending.
ReplyDeleteCher John, vous avez vecu l horreur absolue,Je l,ai vecu egalement un jour ,un portail ouvert par megarde sur10cm par un visiteur.Ils ont ete receuillis par une dame tres gentille,une annonce sur faceboouk a fait le reste..Il existe encore des personnes bonnes.Ce soir le monde me semble meilleur
ReplyDeleteYour lovely boy!! How terrifying for both of you and I’m tearful for you too.Thank goodness all is well and I feel your love for him in that special song. Straight from the heart.
DeleteJe suis heureux. Je vous remercie de vos aimables paroles. J’espère que vous avez toujours votre chien
DeleteOne of the scariest things that can happen to a dog guardian. 2 hours must've felt like a lifetime. So happy it ended well xx
ReplyDeleteI can just feel that dread with you. So glad he was found, and that he did just what one tells a lost child to do--look for a trustworthy adult.
ReplyDeletePoor dog. Don't they have a metal dog tag on their collar or harness with your phone number on?
ReplyDeleteMicrochip
DeleteOh my word, I've only just caught up the last couple of days of reading. This post had me holding my breath! I can't imagine loosing a dog for 2 hours I would have been frantic too. Good dog Roger finding a safe place to be whilst waiting. Poor you, after reading this I felt your panic and your joy at finding him again. Give Roger a hug from me and tell him he is so loved XX
ReplyDeleteMany, many years ago my aunt was holiday sitting my little Pomeranian of12 years.. She was involved in an RTA my dog escaped and ran over Cannock Chase. Missing for nearly three weeks. I never thought I'd get him back. The forestry people found him and returned him. He survived another three years.
ReplyDeleteLook into martingale collars. They aren't chokers but if the dog pulls back the small slip part tightens enough so the collar won't slip over their head. They've saved my dogs' lives many times I'm sure.
ReplyDelete