Darwin Scared the Crap Out of Me!!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I can't believe I am telling one of these stories.  I hear them all the time, and I think "Oh my gosh I couldn't handle that if it happened to me." Today, I lost Darwin for a terrifying 30 minutes or so.

99% of the time, Darwin is in a fenced in area or on leash when outside. I do this because I'm cautious, even though he has a very good recall and isn't one to run off. But we have a routine, where I will go out into the yard to take pictures for my photo-a-day. I will go out with him, he pees, then waits on the porch or sniffs around while I snap the photo. This usually takes about 5 minutes and he's never once acted like he wanted to leave the yard. The yard is completely fenced except for the front gate, which is usually open. So today, he peed then waited on the porch while I set up my tripod. 

I'm serious, it looked at him on the porch, bent down and took 4 photos, and when I looked up he was gone. I assumed he had run to the backyard, because he NEVER tries to leave the yard. I had lost sight of him for maybe 30 seconds. So I put my camera inside and went around back. Nothing. I started feeling uneasy, and in the next 5 minutes of searching, I realized that he had actually left. I ran out onto the street and started calling him, and my MIL came out to help. She looked inside, then drove around the block. Then SIL joined in and we all started searching.

30 minutes in, I was absolutely panicked. I had called DH and he was coming home from work early to help, and he was about to call the shelter and tell them to keep a look out. He just happened to NOT be wearing his collar which is terrible, but he does have a microchip. I was on the verge of tears. I felt (and feel) like the worst dog owner in the world for letting this happen. "He NEVER does that" is hardly an excuse that brought me any comfort. I was imagining him trapped somewhere, wanting to come to my calls but being unable too. I wondered if maybe someone had brought him inside when they saw he was wearing no collar. I walked down the street and started to cry. Maybe two seconds later I faintly hear the word "dog". 

Whipping around I saw the most welcome, happy, infuriating, surprising, and unsurprising sight. Darwin was rolling/rubbing/frisking around on the grass, IN THE MIDDLE OF A BASEBALL GAME. It was the players who had been saying dog. No doubt they were wondering who he was and what they should do. I ran over to the field and called Darwin, after which he looked at me then promptly trotted off in the opposite direction. He ran around to each of the players, nudging their hands or sniffing their crotches, then rubbing on the grass again. It took me a bit to work around to the opening (the whole field is fenced) so he had plenty of time to disrupt the game. 

I was so angry and relieved by the time I got to him that I may have said a curse word or two. After which the players whistled and were muttering "oooh, Darwin's in trouble." Then I led him out by the scruff of his neck as I didn't know what else to hold. That was bad planning on my part but I was so panicked I didn't think to grab his collar or leash from the house. As we left, the players all started yelling "see ya later buddy" and "bye Darwin". I had no idea how they knew his name, until I realized I had been yelling it at the top of my lungs after I saw him. 

I brought him home and was unsure whether to hug him or cry. So I snapped this picture with my phone. He was VERY happy with himself. He's now fast asleep on the ground next to me, no doubt exhausted from his fun day. DH and I were talking about it, and it makes sense that he would leave and go find the most exciting people possible, he's just too friendly for his own good... 

He's wet because it was rainy and muddy.

Moral of the story, NEVER trust your sweet obedient Doodle. LOL. Caution is always a good idea. 

Finally, I am SO glad MIL and SIL were so level headed and great about helping me look. They are the best!

I apologize for not making this a blog... but discussions are quicker and better as far as responses go.

[Jennifer and Jack]

You poor thing!

[BG and Gavin]

Oh Camilla!  How frightening.  It must be doodle stinker day as Gavin wandered (quickly) away from me at the park to go visit a perky little Havense that was off leash too.  Oh they played and played and Gavin totally ignored me.  It was a quiet walk home and he behaved in perfect fashion - like he knew I was displeased!  Maybe spring fever?

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

My daughter had nearly the same experience many years ago with her dog, Dixie.  Dixie ran away, crossing several major streets in an LA neighborhood.  Even though her story ended happily, my daughter developed a case of PTSD - and still stresses big time about her current dogs getting loose!

So glad you found Darwin and that all's well that ends well!!!

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

Darwin you might have had a great adventure but you sure scared your poor mommy.  Glad to know you are safe!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Oh Camillla.  I can feel your pain and fear.  I would have reacted exactly like you.  These Doodles are so quiet and can just disappear in an instant.  I totally trust Gracie Doodle and then sometimes I don't.  She will get on a scent in the neighborhood and go into someones back yard and I haven't a clue where she is.  I am so glad Darwin is back home safe and sound and I know you are now hugging and kissing him and telling him how much you love him...that is what we do!!

[cheryl & oliver]

Mr.Darwin, are u trying to give your Mom a heart attack????....thank goodness you are ok, and back home where u belong. Carmella, I am sure that you were like any of us would have been, scared to death and imagining the worst.  thank goodness he is safe, and back home, but you are a great doodle mom, it can happen to anyone of us, and I am sure it has happened to many of us.  Have a nice glass of wine and just relax tonight, he is safe, and home with you....

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Camilla I held my breath through your entire post...well, until you got to the baseball field! OMD!!  What a horrible experience. I had a similar thing happen with a previous dog and it is just the WORST!!  I'm so glad it all turned out okay!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Camilla, I am so relieved to hear that your little stinker is home :) Oh, how very scary for you! I had something similar with Fudge. I open our gate to play with them in the field and she took off like a bat out of hell. Vern came back, but I screamed for her for over 30 minutes, drove my car all around, called my DH and he came home from work early.  I cried and all of a sudden, turned around and there she was at our gate. I wanted to kill her and hug her all at the same time. I will NEVER trust her off leash again. This is a great reminder that dogs will be dogs, sometimes! I do have to smile at the thought of Darwin in that baseball field making all kinds of new friends. He really is a gem!!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I'm so glad that Darwin is safe. I cannot even imagine the scare you got. My DH keeps telling me that this is what's waiting to happen to me since I many times walk Monty off leash on the trail behind our house. We forget that our velcro dog is still an animal and has mind on its own no matter how much training he got. Once Monty started trotting off the trail towards the street and all the houses. And he would not react to my yelling. At that moment a cold sweat broke out on my forehead and all I could think about is "there is no way I can keep up with him if he takes off". Fortunately, Monty was just goofing off and came zooming right back towards me. But still. I totally can imagine your feeling. Glad everything worked out well. Darwin, you are a goofball!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

My biggest fear is someone sneaks Daisy out the front door at work, I know it's irrational, we have a door alarm and she is always with me but you just never know what someone might do or if she does something (like Darwin did) that is totally out of character. I can't tell you how many come through the door just to say hi to the big stuffed animal in the window.

I am so glad he was safe and obviously enjoyed the caper....little stinker.

[Linda and Murphy]

Camilla, hugs to you!  I know this was awful.  It reminds me of the Doodle that ran the marathon.

I "lost" my 5 yr old at a very crowded wooden boat festival in our small town....for an hour and 10 minutes!  
The police assumed he fell in the river. I kept telling them we live on the water AND he can swim. I was sure my super friendly kid had walked off with someone.

He had been told specifically NOT to cross the main road. I trusted him not to do that. Our friend that was in  town for the festival finally crossed the road to look for him. DS had time to build a sailboat and was playing with it (the big kid attraction).  Friend nearly got arrested when the police saw him with DS.  

I was sooo relieved all I could do was hold him and cry. His dad was still in anger mode, wanting to know why he crossed the main road.  DS kept insisting he didn't. (then Dad thought he was lying).

DS explained he did not cross the road,  HE WENT UNDER THE ROAD BY THE BRIDGE. Technically he did not disobey.

He is now 22 and we have had these adventures his entire life. lol

You are a better Mom than me!

[F, Calla & Luca]

One of my sons disappeared at the drop of a hat. Luckily all ended well but I'm sure it aged me.