Saturday Morning Adrenalin Rush

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

It started off as a quiet Saturday morning. A beautiful sunny day, gentle wind blowing to keep us cool. We took a leisurly stroll along the tree lined canal, and then off we went to the local coffee shop off the main street near our place. I put down my coffee next to my book and purse on the patio table, and then bent down to tether a very happy Sophie Bear to to the table leg. I unclipped her, holding her collar loosely with one finger figuring she would NEVER run away on me, and turned my concentration to wraping the leash around the table leg.... and...

 

SHE WAS OFF!

 

As I stood there in shock for a split second of disbelief there was Sophie Bear, racing off the patio and towards the street corner. Sheer panick ensued, in which I ran out after her screaming every possible command that came to my mind, knowing full and well that crazy wild look of pure elation in her eye meant nothing I said was registering. There she stood, panting with excitment on the street corner, and then I remembered - if I run toward her, she will think it's a game of "catch me if you can". So I slowly backed up a couple of steps, and gently said "Sophie, come".  She looked at me, looked across the street in the direction of the dog park (which was across the street and down a side road but not visible from where we were), she looked back at me again, back toward the dog park, I said "Sophie, COME" and took a step back.

 

No such luck.

 

There went my sweet darling puppy galloping across the street in the wildest puppy run I've ever seen. My heart was pounding so hard I thought my chest would explode. I yelled to the couple on the other side of the road to grab her. They stood there, deer in the headlight look, and did nothing. There I was tearing after her across the street, no idea whether there were any cars coming or not, desperate to get to her before it was too late. She took off down the side street toward the park. I turned the corner tearing after her, and then I saw what she was after.

 

Sophie's best friend Lilu, a flat coated retriever puppy the same age as her who lives in our apartment building, was coming out of the dog park with her parents in tow. Did she know Lilu was there? Or was it a coincidence? I guess I'll never know. Sophie pounced in full play mode, oblivious to my panick. My neighbours, shocked to see her running around off leash, tried to grab her. It took a few minutes of playing "catch that puppy" before we finally got her, but thank goodness, she was safe and sound. It could have been so much worse! 

 

I caught my breath and laughed it off with the neighbours as we stood around chatting for a few minutes. Then it hit me - My purse was still on the patio at the cafe. I'm lucky to live in a nice neighbourhood. When we got back to the cafe, the other customers greeted Sophie Bear laughing and told her what a naughty girl she was. All I could do was shake my head.

[Lindsey]

ACkkkk! My first thought was, "oh no I hope Sophie wasn't hurt!" and then "her purse...what about her purse!!!"
glad it all turned out okay!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Oh my, what a scare. Thank goodness she was okay!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Terrifying! So glad Sophie Bear is save and sound! You, too!

[Coco Chanel and Cheryl]

That is my worst nightmare! Coco has gotten out in my neighborhood and headed straight for her favorite place. Thank goodness there were no streets and she sat when I told her!! I walked so slowly towards her so she would stay.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I think I might have a little PTSD. At the time I was shaking and so shocked that I didn't really know how to respond. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. Plus I was also slightly embarrassed for myself - I mean, how could I have let that happen?? Now I feel so stupid! I never imagined that she would do that. When I think of what my carelessness could have caused I want to cry. A year ago my neighbour's dog got loose and I will never forget the look of panicked shock in his eyes as he ran around the neighbourhood desperately trying to find her. It's a terrible feeling, and I can't even begin to imagine how it would have felt if there were cars on the road and ...  Thank goodness it was early in the morning. All I know is that this will never happen again! From now on, I will have her collar in a tight death grip if I need to unhook her leash. Naughty doodle indeed!!!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

My worst nightmare ..... so glad this had a happy ending!  I think when all was said and done I would of probably just burst into tears!

[Jen, Lachlan, and Declan]

My heart was in my throat reading this. So very glad it had a happy ending! Oh man, I'd be flat terrified if that'd been Lachlan!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

What a scary morning and so glad it had a happy ending :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Isn't that the worst sort of fear, though. Glad it all turned out well.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I can literally feel your panic.  So glad the story had a happy ending.  Some years ago, my daughter's dog escaped from the yard and went tearing out across the street and down the block.  Rebecca went after her, heart pounding just as you described.  After what seemed like an eternity and after Dixie had crossed several main streets (west Los Angeles area), some kind individuals helped corral Dixie.  Rebecca carried Dixie (all 50 lbs. of her) several blocks back to her house.  That event was the beginning of Rebecca's severe anxiety regarding dogs getting loose - a true case of PTSD!