A Parent's Worst Nightmare

Imagine letting your little one out to play freely, in a newly fenced in, secure area. She been out many times in this area over the past couple of weeks. She has enjoyed running freely, playing with her ball watching the birds and squirrels, enjoying the Autumn warmth. She has even been jumping in the leaf pile, scattering all the gathered leaves about.

Then one evening after dinner you let her out to have a few moments of fresh air before bedtime. She is happily running about. You go inside for a few moments, when you return ~ she doesn't respond to your calls. You make your way out into the yard, is she playing hide-n-seek? Then you feel that ping in your gut, at the realization that she is not there.

The whole household goes into search mode; you survey the fenced area for signs of where she may have wandered off from. But all is as it should be. No, fence bent or knocked down to give a clue which direction she may have wandered off in. You wonder could she have wandered off into the forest after a squirrel or something that caught her attention .. your mind drifting back to the still intact fence surrounding, meant to keep her safe.

Flash lights are shone in every direction , as you track through the darkness of the forest calling her name, trying to coax her to come out from a hiding spot with promise of treats. But the darkness of the forest remains quiet ... except for your calls and that of your spouse's as you frantically search the 13 plus acres. Perhaps she has wandered off down the road, you take to your vehicles, going slowly so you can look along the side of the road into neighbouring fields and properties; speeding up when you think something up the road looks like it could be her, only to come up to a stump or other thing. Part of you thankful that it wasn't her. But your heart continues to race and pump fast ... your worst nightmare is happening.

You call the local O.P.P. to inform of her missing; you give the property one final search before you retreat to the silence of your home. Sleep is not happening, any time you drift off you wake-up thinking that you have just heard her calls. Only to be disappointed when you open the door to silence and darkness. Your mind races... what you will do in the morning.

Morning comes, and there are no calls to wake you ... silence...as you set about making the morning coffee and tea; thinking what photo to use for the Missing posters.. the phone rings, your gut tightens, fearing the worst. You half contemplate letting it go to voice mail, for fear of the worst but the panic that has gripped you all night takes over and you brace yourself for the voice on other end of the phone.

 You breathe for the first time, a real breath! Your little girl has been at a neighbours home, safe from the cold and the creatures of the night. You can't bother to get proper clothes on; throwing coats over pajamas, you quickly drive over to be reunited with your little girl... to hold her and bring her home.

You thank your Angels for the kind and lovely people that took her in and cared for her, keeping her safe and nurtured. Of course, your little girl is looking up at you as if to say "what's all the fuss?" ...

Stella we are so happy that you are home safe and sound. We are forever grateful to Gail and her husband for not just looking the other way and reaching out to our little girl. Yes our little girl is a Furbaby, but she is our little girl and though she may have four legs, a bark and fur she is our child. Just Like our Dolce, who was so happy to see his sister...

Lots of licks and kisses...

A little of "Woof! Woof! What were you thinking? leaving like that?"