The Nightmare Before Christmas

My parents live on a small hobby farm (around 50 acres), so whenever we visit we always take the dogs. My two big dogs, Porter and Boone, love playing with my parent’s dog. They also love running around the farm and swimming in the pond. My parent’s house is like paradise to Porter and Boone.

We let them run free as long as we are at the house. This is very out of character for me because I am super protective of my dogs. We check on them every so often to make sure they are okay. They never stray far. They are always near the house or playing in the pond. When we leave the farm or go to bed, we put the dogs in their outside kennel.

Christmas Eve night was a very rainy night, so instead of putting the dogs in their kennel at bed time my Mom and Michael suggested we let them sleep under the carport. Michael and I stayed up late that night, and before going to bed I checked on my sweet puppies. They had been on the front porch all night, so I looked on the front porch. They were not there. Michael looked in the carport, and they were not there either. My parent’s dog was in the carport, but there was no sign of Porter and Boone.

We called and called and called for the dogs, but we never heard a peep. I hopped in the car and began riding the dirt roads, but I saw and heard no sign of them. My Dad also drove up and down the road looking for them. Michael combed the edged of the woods and my Mom stayed at home in case they showed up.

After round one of searching (around 12:30 am Christmas morning), I came home to find that Porter had showed up without a collar and without Boone. At this point, I began to panic. Porter is our dominant dog, and Boone is our follower. Boone doesn’t go anywhere without Porter. I just knew Boone was dead, and of course I began crying. I was so upset, but I did not stop my search.

Michael finally convinced me to go to bed. He promised he would get up early in the morning and search for Boone. I reluctantly went to bed (and prayed and prayed and prayed), and had just barely fallen asleep when I heard a horrible cry coming from the front porch (this was around 3:00 am). I ran to the front door, opened it, and in walked Boone. I was so relieved. Boone and Porter spent the rest of the night in the bed with me and Michael.

I am not sure where they went or what they did, but the next day Boone slept like he was in a coma. Porter didn’t sleep, but he was so sore he could barely get up and down. They have both recovered from their Christmas adventure, but have they have both lost some of their farm privileges!

And just to share a sweet picture with you-Here is a picture of Boone and Porter sleeping as they ride in the car. This was taken 3 years ago when Boone was just a puppy. Boone is much, much larger now, but he is still just as cuddly!