Making a break for it

[Toby]

Saturday I let Toby out as I usually do in the backyard. He barks, I come to the side door, he comes in, I try and wipe his paws, he tries to eat the towel - usual stuff. This time, however, he barks, I come to the door but I don't see him. I look to the side, I still don't see him. Hmmm. I then look out and realize he is barking from the other side of the fence - he is outside of the fence! Holy moly- how did that happen! Of course there is snow on the ground and I am sporting sneakers and shorts ( just finished working out ). He is smart enough to know he is on the wrong side and he wants to come in. I go in the house, which makes him bark more. I call him to the front door and he quickly comes. Thank goodness . Now I am curious. What happened? I now change to appropriate attire for the snow- pants and snow boots, and attempt to investigate. Yes- I see paw prints by the side of the house where there is a large wooded area, but I don't really see where they originate. It's like he was just dropped by the side of the house - on the outside of the fence. Can't ask the dog. Hmmmm. Turns out in the back corner of the property, because the back yard dips in some areas, the fence does not actually meet the ground creating a wide enough gap to accommodate a small meteor or a medium sized overly curious labradoodle. Ugh. You see the paw prints where he goes under the fence, into the side woods and FREEDOM. This morning - again. I call him and sure enough, he is ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE ! I called him and he comes but he is enjoying this access to the front yard and coming in the front door. I live in a quiet cul de sac with minimal traffic but still..... I know - gotta get hubby to block that gap. Great- another thing to worry about.

[Sharon & Monty]

Our Monty, the laziest dog ever, never tries the deer fencing.  But however one day he was gone.  DH found him on the other side of the fence down in the woods.  We had no idea where the breach came from, so I suggested we leave Monty out and see if he went back.  Well yes he did. Obviously something smelled terrific and once he got to that space he simply crawled under the fence.  Since it was in the woods, we filled the gap with rocks.  These dang dogs, just when you figure them out, they do something different. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have one of each too. Calla doesn't go far given the thankfully rare opportunity. Luca has some explorer blood.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Isn't it amazing - once they find a spot like this they NEVER forget it!  I am so glad Toby came running back and was safe!  One day I let Beau and Charlie out the patio door and about 5 minutes later, I hear my husband yell - where is Beau - I think I just saw a white streak go by my office window!  I rain out the front door and down our road to the cul de sac and called his name, he came ripping off the neighbor's hillside like someone was after him.  Then I started calling Charlie and to no avail.  I brought Beau back to the house, went to get a leash for Charlie and saw him sitting on the step on the patio!  I should have know - Charlie would not leave the yard unless he is with me - being a chicken is good! Beau is obviously another story! LOL

[F, Calla & Luca]

Glad this ended so well and that the solution is fairly easy.