Saturday, September 18, 2010

The Renegades of Golden Pines

Nothing strikes fear into my aging heart quicker than four renegade dogs who don't have their leashes on when they are outside the fence--This fear is what surfaced this morning when I opened the door inside our house to let the dogs into the garage to get ready for their morning walk. I opened the door and as the dogs went past me I quickly saw it, the garage door that had been left open last night! Panic and pandemonium erupted as the siren of my voice broke the silence of the beautiful fall morning. I immediately called to the dogs about going for a car-ride which brought back renegade number one, Charlie, who would rather go for a ride than a walk (sucker!!). Captured inside the van we left Charlie and we turned our attention to the Big Boy gang called the Chub Club. Toby and Bubba who have been corrupted by their newest member Sam (our boy Sam, not Doris's Sam) quickly realized they were unleashed and made their run to freedom and liberation, never looking back! Toby and Bubba not being experienced at the art of escaping and who are a bit slower were easily caught and returned to captivity. However the lead renegade Sam, (pictured) is a bit more seasoned. He knew better than to believe my story about giving him a treat--I even think I saw him roll his eyes at me when he looked back for just a moment. With distance quickly coming between us, it was becoming clear to me that given the direction and roughness of the terrain that Sam was going to make a successful getaway and we may not see him again...Then suddenly the inevitable happened--Sam had to stop for a potty-break and he was nabbed by the tail--Thank-you Mother Nature!

Even though it was a few hours ago and all residents of Golden Pines have been counted and recounted and there have been several role calls I still feel like someone is missing...

37 comments:

  1. My luck, they would have gone in every direction! I guess that's the reason I love my dogs collars! They would be grease spots! Ever figure out who you were "missing"?

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  2. My husband is good about leaving doors open thinking he'll be right back in but you know dogs. They can sneak out faster than you can think possible. I panic when I can't locate Rowdy. Most always Rowdy is under my bed sound asleep, but until I know for sure I end up with my heart in my throat. Glad you were able to round up all your crew.

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  3. I can relate to your fear and I'm so glad they are all accounted for.

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  4. my my, those wandering boys - good thing it was the chub brothers (easy to catch). Sam can teach them how to escape, but not to run fast....BOL

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  5. Oh my oh my!!!! That brought smiles, after knowing that (hopefully) all run-for-it pals are back and safe!! Guess the garage door will be checked and rechecked, like mom does here... :)

    Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
    Sierra Rose

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  6. The exact thing has happened to us a couple times. The water dogs usually don't even notice the open garage door and just run right past it into their fenced yard, but Tsar would never miss that opportunity.

    It is one of the most frightening experiences I can think of. Glad you got them all back safely.

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  7. what a story...one that i can relate to...good thing the chub bros are slow...but lead renegade Sam is too smart for his own fur! so glad all are safe and sound!
    xoxo

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  8. Your heart ends up in your throat. This has happened a few times in the passed 3 years for my guys. The busy busy highway is not far from the side door and I used to bounce for joy if I was let out without a leash on. I've grown up now and realize that I should bound up the driveway to the road. Too much scolding has ensued over the years. Many tricks to to get me back...they all worked. Thank goodness!

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  9. The Chub Club!!! Glad you had Mother Nature on your side! But I understand your panic totally! Great last photo there! One of the first things I taught Avalon (while I'm teaching her retreive now) was the word, "cookie" and what it meant! Of course, Sammie knows just what it means, and luckily, Avalon does a lot of Sam-copying! At this point, if Avalon doesn't come, I use the "cookie" and she's THERE (and I do always have something to treat!) So glad you got your brood back!
    Hugs xoxoxo
    Sammie and Avalon's Mommy

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  10. AS an adult woman I have had 4 dogs. No one of them would have run away from me. Tom says you couldn't run them off with a stick.
    We have 3 acres fenced in and in the begining,, if the gate was closed, a dog couldn't get out. That was 37 years ago. The fence is that old!! It has seen hurricanes, a tornado, and all kinds of trauma. So for the last 19 years a dog could get out if they wanted to. But no one wants to.
    I have a story about the coons I'll tell you about one day soom.
    XXOO, Bambi & Fern

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  11. I don't think ANYTHING can match THAT feeling...

    You have the good ones: GOLDENS ;=)

    Try that with a Siberian - DOUBLE WINK!

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  12. I'm glad everyone is safe and well at home. I'm sure your feeling will ease by tomorrow morning ~ a scare of the heart always puts one at odds for the day!

    Hope your Sunday is less dramatic! :)
    xo Catherine

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  13. Good job rounding up those renegades! My dogs are good about coming back (for a treat) if I'm outside with them but if I don't happen to see them wandering off, it's anyone's guess when they'll come back home (usually full of burrs!). THEN they do not get a treat!

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  14. Good job rounding up all those scallawags!!

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  15. When panic hits,,,, the heart sure starts doing flip flops and then the imaginaition kicks in for every possible thing that can go wrong.
    We have had some panic times here too,
    It sounds like everyone was rounded up,,, even though you were afraid to believe it.
    love
    tweedles

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  16. Thank goodness I only now have a small dog that is perfectly behaved! I have had some buggers in the past though! xxxxxxxxxxx

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  17. Sounds to me like Sam is not only settling in but has discovered a sense of mischief.

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  18. Oh I hate that when the darned animals outsmart me!!!
    But in all seriousness, my dogs were all pretty well behaved (except one little rescued guy, Moki, who thought the world was his oyster) but my big problem now are the cats. I have some feral guys who go out and some who just would get in trouble if they escaped from the house.
    Many was the cold night I crawled around under the house with a flashlight calling "here kitty kitty". The nightmare is there were 2 I never found. Every once in awhile I still walk the field calling their names. Thank goodness you got your guys back safe!
    Tina xo

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  19. I'm glad I'm not the only one who grabs a renegade by the tail!!

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  20. So glad they're all back and accounted for, I can totally understand the fear of them being on the loose. I guess the feeling of someone still missing is the "what if's......" speaking to you. Scary.

    xx

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  21. I can so relate!! There have been an occasion or two when our Malamutes will see an open gate or garage door and will take off in a flash.
    I think our Mals have given me more gray hair than our two-legged kids! :0)

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  22. I'm sorry, Kim, that you had to be so frightened, but I really like that Sam. I bet he was a bit of a hooligan in his younger days. Heck, it sounds like he is still a bit of a hooligan. I love an animal with a little bit of bad about him or her. They just seem to have more joy in life, along with the mischief.

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  23. My goodness. How scary. I've only had one of those accidents with Simba..can't imagine what it would be like with more than 1 dog!

    Hope life is treating you well! :-)

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  24. lost dogs!!!
    my biggest fear!!!!!
    awful awful awful.....that cold icy feeling down the back of your neck when a dog gets out of your sight!!!
    x

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  25. Hoo-boy, do we know that feeling! Monty, who only remembers his name is Monty when he is in the house, is the one we fear getting loose. Sam usually goes to visit or steals papers, so we don't worry about him!

    Sam

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  26. Been there and done that to many times!

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  27. Glad to hear that you got everyone back quickly and safely! My dogs would have said Jackpot we are out of here. That is so scary when it happens.

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  28. I remember that terrifying feeling of seeing my dogs running away down the driveway. I used to jump up and down and yell to get their attention as soon as they looked at me I would run off in the other direction waving my arms around and making silly noises. The dear demented dogs would turn and chase me. Then I would catch then. The whole experience would leave me fried. Know how your feel. Hope you get a good rest! Takes awhile to recover from dealing with the goofy mutts. And thank you for the comment you leave on my blog. :)

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  29. I know that feeling too...one's heart skips a beat. Thankfully you kept your cool...that takes experience! ...and thankfully you managed to round them all up too.
    Yes, they are sometimes 'suckers', but sometimes they are rater 'Telligent'....like
    'Telligent Toby!'....at least he only runs down the passage!
    Sending lotsaluv to you all,
    TOBY'S MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  30. How funny grabbing Sam by the tail !
    It's like a break out from an institution ( one flew over the cuckoo's nest )
    Do they bark for their errant brothers like kids answering for a missing friend on a role call ! " Here Sir "

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  31. What a scare Kim! Glad all safely rounded up.Thankyou for your lovely welcome back.It's nice to be missed.More tales of the holiday to come! :o)

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  32. I know that feeling too well...although we live on 29 acres in the middle of the woods, we don't let the dogs run free.
    So happy everyone was "captured" safely!

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  33. Old Sam sure can run!!!!
    Mother nature has been my saving grace many many times when I have made the mistake of not checking the garge door or how loose a certain large dog's collar has gotten.
    I hate to grab them by the tail/neck, but it's that or get hit by a car...so I grab.

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  34. It's happened once here when all three came tumbling through the gate that "he who won't be mentioned" left open. Thankfully they all bee-lined for the back of the property and not toward the front (and the road). Finn and Nuala came when called, but, poor Shane, who is almost totally deaf was on a wild albiet old man spree. I did catch him, but, he did give me a run for my money!

    Glad everyone is home safe and sound. You're gonna have to keep an eye on "team Chubb"!

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  35. Yep! I know that one. I only have one dog, but she will bolt like lightening if she spies the opportunity. She is not interested in being away from us or the property...she is just an explorer and welcomes every opportunity!

    Glad you nabbed them!

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  36. been there done that and spent three hours "frolicking" through the woods trying to find her!!

    Gill

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  37. I probably have fed between 30 to 400 coons in the last 25years. Right now I am feeding 6 families and one family 2 or 3 times a week, so 7 families all together. I really know coons !!!
    XO, Fern

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