The Houdini Acts of Dogs

Our animals have a way of doing those scary Houdini acts don't they? I've been very fortunate with my dog Shadrach except one time last summer. We were running at the park and neither of us was apparently paying attention to the other -big mistake on my part as the "responsible" pet owner.

I run on the side of the park where there is no track, just grass (now my hubby comes with us and he walks with Shadrach while I run which is much better). There is a city building there closest to the only street (it's a major street but a two-laner so not as bad as some but bad enough as it only takes ONE car to kill a pet).

I ran past that building and around it and when I looked back I saw Shadrach running down the sidewalk in the opposite direction. He had this "scooting" gait going on that told me he thought that was the way I went and was trying to catch up to me. I yelled so loud that I must've shaken buildings (I think I shook the earth) and then I ran like I was a teenager again to catch him! My heart was in my throat because I was thinking and praying "Please God don't let him go into the street, please God, please God don't let him go into the street".

It was horrifying to me. I worked in veterinary medicine long enough to see what a car does to an animal. I saw a young American Staffordshire Terrier get blasted by a truck a couple of years ago at the same park on the same street in nearly the same spot. She didn't die immediately which was horrible to witness as she was in utter agony and the guy who hit her never even stopped. I had to watch her suffer, and although we got her to a vet, she was too badly injured and ultimately succumbed to her injuries although the vet did ease her suffering. So I was extremely upset to say the least -and mostly with myself for not being mindful of my dog and keeping him on lead!

Shadrach came running back to me so fast when he heard my thunderous yelling, and with a very embarrassed look as only dogs can show when they feel they've done something wrong. I was so relieved AND upset! He got put in a time out in the car, and then I ignored him the rest of the morning. A dog trainer friend told me I did exactly the right thing in dog lanuguage but all I wanted to do was hug him! It's hard being a dog parent! Needless to say, Shadrach is never out of our sight now at the park. What a wake up call! Just wanted to share. Have a tail waggin' day!