FOUND BUT NOT LOST

[Cathy C. Bennett]

Last week our daughter boarded the train for an excursion to the “Big Apple.” She loves to travel and generally EVERY mini-vaca for her is like a box of Cracker Jacks - there is going to be some sort of surprise inside... she is a magnet for “serendipitous” adventures!

Twelve hours after she left my sight, she sends me a frantic text message that reads: “No collar. Lost Goldendoodle” Followed by this picture:

PLEASE VISIT: www.groovygoldendoodles.com FOR PICTURES

As I look at this picture, I get another text with another picture, that reads: “Can I bring him home?”

PLEASE VISIT: www.groovygoldendoodles.com FOR PICTURES

I’m dialing her phone number at such speed my own fingers are a blur to my eyesight. When she answers, she is already in mid sentence! She’s telling me while on her way to dinner, she sees this “adorable” and “super friendly” (these are her words) Goldendoodle behind a fenced in area - ALONE!

She says there is no one around and she can’t leave him there. She’s talking so fast, I’m waiting for her to either pass out or explode:

“Mom, he’s:

a little taller then Harley
has a face like Leo
got hair like Harley
smiles like Leo”

I wait for her to breathe and then I interject (quickly I might add) and tell her that she’s moving WAY too fast. Well THAT wasn’t the response she was looking for... “MOM” she exclaims (so much passion, my goodness), “I cannot leave him here - he’s a DOODLE!”

I shoot back with my Arsenio Hall questions, you remember, those questions that make you go - “hum....”

“Tiffany:

how do you know he’s a stray?
Leo and Harley don’t wear collars all the time (and I’m not proud of this)
what about calling the local authorities to assist?
how do you expect to get him back with you on the train?”

She was ready for me, came back with rebuttals like a law school graduate. “Mom:

he’s all alone in the city
this is exactly why you should keep their collars on them (she’s right on this one)
they will just take him to the pound, I can’t let that happen
I’ll rent a car and drive back”

Oh, she was on a roll. “Mom:

he will be MY dog
I’ll be responsible for ALL his expenses
Harley and Leo will be ok (like she’s called them earlier...)
the Pet Resort will groom him for me
I’ll take him to the vet and see if he’s got a “micro-chip” and try to find his owners so they can come and get him
I CAN’T LEAVE HIM HERE MOM!!!!!!”

This is the one that I REALLY liked though....

“If you won’t let him live in the house - I understand. I will keep him and move in with my brother!”

By now, you’re thinking that I am sharing this story to introduce you to the newest member of our tribe aren’t you?

WRONG!!!

Let me not hold you captive with suspense any longer.

By the third call, I hear someone in the background call out to “Max”. Tiffany asks her if this is her dog. The lady says “no”, but explains that Max lives in the neighborhood, and he is “practically famous” in the area, and "EVERYBODY knows Max.” At that moment the owners come walking across the street. Tiffany hangs up - and leaves me hanging...

When Tiffany calls back she is more herself - less hysterics - more like the person I know. She tells me the owners are “really cool”  and they were right across the street. They are remodeling the structure with the fence that Max was behind. Max was not lost, he was exactly where he was supposed to be. He has loving pet-parents, who would have been absolutely “sick” with worry, had their beloved Max been removed from his own yard!

They stood around and chatted for a bit, shared “doodle stories and pictures.” It is my understanding they have now started reading the blog - so "welcome" Malcolm and Susan, your little Max is "cute as a button."

Doodle owners, have no fear, we are not letting Tiffany travel alone anymore (HA!)

Harley and Leo wish you a very Happy Easter weekend but they also want to remind you to please be mindful - Easter “treats” are for kids. Keep those “chocolate” goodies out of reach for they can be “deadly” to your four legged friends.
Thanks for reading...

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

How sweet, but I'm glad she didn't kidnap him LOL!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

What a kind hearted daugher you have to feel she would take responsibility for this dog if need be and on her vacation no less. She sounds like a person with passion and purpose! Good job mama bear, you raised a great one there!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

BTW - Good point about chocolate on Easter.  My SIL's dog died shortly after Easter last year.  The reason - her twin boys (4 years old) accidentally left out one of those HUGE chocolate bunnies & the dog ate the whole thing.  All of her organs & systems shut down.  And she was a BIG dog...don't know what kind...a mutt.  Terrible way to die too!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Wow!  You had me fooled for a while!  I thought for sure you had gotten another doodle!  I'm glad it has a happy ending!  I'll bet the owners were freaking out!  Maybe they should have a sign up or something that tells everybody where they are & why Max is there!  It sounds like you are teaching your daughter to be a real dog doodle lover!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Great story.  I certainly was glad for the ending.

[F, Calla & Luca]

All's well that ends well : )

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Great story, Cathy!  Luckily Max has a family who loves him!  Happy Easter to you, too!