Saturday night was an awesome lightning storm that woke everyone up, including and especially the dogs. I had taken Hannah's collar off so she wouldn't wake everyone up all night, but I needn't have worried since the storm took care of that. The following morning, we let the dogs out to pee, and lo and behold Hannah found some deer to chase!
That little dog of mine can run fast!!! We hollered at her to come, but she was so focused and having so much fun that she of course ignored us. Unfortunately in her fun she managed to get lost. I have never been so...scared...for another being in my life, I think. How could a five-pound dog survive living in the wild? We kept searching for her, combing the woods, checking the campgrounds, walking the neighborhood. The neighbors all knew we were looking for a little black dog, as did the owner of the beer and bait store up the road. We kept calling for her, we put food out on the front and back porches, and we kept an eye out for her. At some point we tried calling animal control (closed until Tuesday, it would be a $500 fine if they had her) and I dug out the phone book and
started leaving messages with area vet clinics. Sunday night there was another storm, not as scary as Saturday night's but still a big one. We all hoped that Hannah had been taken in by someone so she could at least have a warm, dry place to sleep.
Monday morning I was wide awake at 6, and praying that my little dog would be returned to me...after all, she is rather indestructible! Finally at about 9:30, the guy at the store called--a lady had found my dog but couldn't catch her! We hauled ass to the store, getting there in about five seconds (seriously!) and she said to follow her and she'd take us to where the dog was. Sure enough, Hannah had apparently found some houses and was basking in the sun on the concrete driveway, seemingly none the worse for wear. We profusely thanked the kind soul who had found her and had asked at the store. Bless her!
I don't think I have ever been so happy to see my little Hannah bug. After drinking lots of water and snoozing even more, I think today she is back to normal. Whew!
Above pics are of my friend Pat reassuring my parents' dog Bo, and of Pat and Amy's dogs Tara and Bean recovering from the stress of missing Hannah. :)
P.S. I did call back all those vet clinics Monday night to leave messages that my baby had been found.
