The boys went MIA today.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

This morning I was working from home.  I often do this on a Friday, I use the time to catch up on emails and calls and it's relaxing to know that I don't have to drive anywhere. The weather here has been mild so I had the back door to the garden open for the boys to wonder in and out. So far so good.... Feral cats are the bane of my life and the elderly neighbour to my right has a shed up against our wall where she leaves food for them so they perch on top of the shed and look down at the boys.  Occasionally they venture into our garden looking for somewhere to do their business. Riley and Boris are on cat watch for a part of the day though when I bring them to my ex hubbies they get on fine with the two house cats there.

Well, one minute they were there and then a call came and I was on the phone for three minutes and when I looked out they were gone! Major panic set in, my stomach churned and I grabbed my phone, keys and leashes. I called and called but could neither see them or hear them. There are four possible gardens bordering ours. I called Joe who works five minutes walk from home and headed around to the lane to see if they were out on the street. No sign, I called and called nothing....Joe arrived and calmed me down and then I spotted them in the Cat Garden. I had to climb through brambles and bushes to get in and then the real fun began. They came no problem but I had to lift them over the wall to Joe and they are heavy fellows. We got them both in and they were sent to their crates, they drank about a liter of water each on the way!

I was so relieved to have them back home that it was a while later I noticed lots of blood on my leg and arm and a few bruises in the making. 

We brought them back out to see where the gap in the wall was and they made a beeline for a hole that we had not noticed.  Needless to say it is now well blocked up. I know it was Riley who is the very smart one who led the way but we are so relieved they are home and safe. 

It took a few hours to get over the shock and the panic of those first moments when they were nowhere to be found that I can't imagine losing them. I'm sitting now with a glass of wine, the boys are lying at my feet and all is well in the world again here.

[Carol and Banjo]

Awww Nicky, I'm glad this story has a Happy Ending.   Such a frightful feeling when you realize you don't know where they are!    You painted quite a picture with your story....brambles, lanes, gardens, feral cats and fences.  The best part.... "sitting now with a glass of wine, the boys are lying at my feet and all is well in the world again here"....

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Too scary-so glad the outcome was happy!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

So glad you found their escape route and have it blocked.  You don't need another panic moment!!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

So very glad that is a happy ending to this, how scary!  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so glad they are safe and that you found the hole where they escaped.  I hope your scratches heal quickly with no complications.

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

Geez, Nicky, I need a glass (or two) of wine just imagining how scary this was. So glad they are home!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I sympathies. It's an awful feeling when an escape occurs. Glad the doodles are home safe and sound and I hope you heal quickly.

[Donna K & Quincy]

All's well that ends well, I am glad your ordeal was short lived. That feeling of panic when you notice them gone is not one you want to experience, ever. I think two glasses of wine may be needed in this case.

[Pat and Traveler]

So glad you all are at home and safe now!  Scary, scary, scary.  I can imagine how hard it was to boost them over a wall!  That Riley--he apparently wanted to take his little brother on a cat-catching adventure.  lol

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

OMD, I'm so glad they didn't go far and are safe at home again. Hope your batlle scars heal quickly! I'm raising a glass of wine myself right now in your honor!