The prodigal dog returns!!
dd March 23rd, 2007
Dylan resting after his 2 day ordeal
Our 2 dogs wandered off yesterday around 7 A.M. The whole story can be found in this post and this one by Barbara. Ironically, I had just posted a video of Jake, our speaking hybrid retriever a couple of days ago. In fact, Barbara in a moment of distraughtness (i know it’s not a word but it should be) suggested that maybe someone saw the video and then kidnapped our dogs. I told her that was pretty far fetched.
And, now we can totally dispel that notion. Jake came wandering home by himself yesterday afternoon. It was the first time that he had abandoned our old black lab Dylan (they have wandered off before whenever Jake has successfully “picked” the lock of our gate - in the event we screwed up and didn’t double bolt it). So, we were really worried about Dylan out there alone, old, nearly deaf and blind.
I spent a good deal of today following up with all the animal shelters and talking to new ones. I called the Police and a couple of Vet clinics. No one knew anything about Dylan.
But, around 5:30 P.M. this afternoon, I got a phone call:
Caller: Did you lose a dog? This is Fairfax County Animal Control.
Me: Yes, both of our dogs wandered off yesterday morning, but one came back.
Caller: What’s the name of the missing dog?
Me: Dylan.
Caller: Describe him
Me: He’s a 13 year old black lab. Nearly blind and deaf.
Caller: I’ve got him! I’ll deliver him in a few minutes. Oh, by the way, do you have proof of a current Rabies vaccine? And, what about his county license?
Me: I’ll look for them as soon as I hang up. Thanks so much for bringing him back to us.
Well, I found proof of the rabies vaccine easily enough, but no county license. Guess we never got around to that. But, the young female police officer was kind enough to tell me how this works. Turns out that if I go the the County Animal Shelter, pay $5 for a license and get her a copy, I won’t have to appear in court or pay the $100 fine.
So, all’s well that ends well. Our family is reunited. Our children (one in Boston and one in Berkeley) have been really worried about Dylan and are so relieved. We don’t know how much longer Dylan has, but at least he won’t die of cold and starvation alone out in the woods.
Yayyyyy!!!
Huzzah! Hurray! Hallelujah! Am sure Dylan is getting slobbered with affection.
I’m so happy that Dylan’s back home, safe and sound. The weather’s been incredible. The perfect time for a break, if ever there was one.
(I meant a break for Dylan. I know it’s been hard on the humans in the equation.)
What a saga! So glad it ended well.
Your dogs have been on a magical mystery tour. Cool! So relieved they’re home safe and sound.
I wish Jake and Dylan could talk! I’d love to hear about their adventure!
I am so relieved for you….:)
As I said on Barbara’s, I can imagine your relief when you saw him and hugged him! I’m glad for you! I hope you enjoy every last moment with Dylan, as I know you will.
Thanks to everyone for the kind words and thoughts. These dogs really are part of our family. Aileen - I’ve had the same wish many times, especially this time. I like Reya’s version - they had a magical mystery tour!
Good news! You do know David, that everything you need to know about people, you can learn from a Dog!
cheers!!!!!! great news!!!!!
xoxo
Thank goodness he’s home safe and sound! How scary for you both.
thanks, suicide. steve - yes, you’re absolutely right!
EJ - it was scary and sad. We honestly thought we’d never see Dylan again. These dogs keep surprising us.
[…] on the Wall are husband and wife who write separate blogs. But they recently shared a common topic: their missing dog. (Nod to […]