Tuesday, December 29, 2009

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!




29 comments:

Blair @ Reasonably Swanky said...

Oh my goodness, I would have freaked out too! I wonder what they were up to! They are such cute pups and I love their names.
Bo, my yellow lab go out one day and I just knew someone stole him or he was hit by a car. I scowered the neighborhood looking for him and I found him swimming and playing in the pond....without a collar. He was having such a big time that his collar must have fallen off while he was backstroking it with the ducks. Crazy dog!
Have a great day!

Brown Girl said...

Oh sweet Jesus I would have freaked the fuck out! Excuse my french but my dogs are like my babies and being over protective of them is like an understatement for me. I would have had a major meltdown. So glad they are both ok! No more 'adventures' for them! I'm going to be a crazy skin parent one day...I just know it! ;)

Whitney said...

Oh my word. I'm freaking out right now reading this, I can't imagine how scared you were! Gladly everything turned out alright! What a scare!

Caroline said...

Oh, I am so glad that you found both of them. I would have been scared and sick. Sometimes I wish we could put cameras on the little fellows and see where they go. Hope your Christmas was calm after that.

Lexilooo said...

Oh that picture! I'm so glad that they are both okay, I would have been so worried too! We had a Britany Spaniel who used to get out of the house and run to this huge mud pit in the woods. We never found the pit, but she'd come home smelling so awful, but she loved her little occasional adventure! So happy that your puppies are safe!

Tara said...

Oh girl, I know that panic feeling! Our doggies are our babies and it's very scary when you don't know where they are. So thankful to hear that they are both safe!!!

Sara said...

I would have been freaking out as well. Our Lab likes to "go exploring" when he can get out the front door and it always worries me, especially at night.

So glad they both found their way home.

And, I love the picture. I can't believe he's sleeping with his head up!

Brittany said...

Aw. I'm sooo glad they were ok. When I started reading I was so worried!

And that picture is absolutely precious!

Kelsey Claire said...

I am so glad that they found there way back! I was getting anxious just reading this and thinking about if it had been my dogs! That is a precious picture!

Preppy Pink Crocodile said...

OMG my heart sank to my belly reading that! My dog is like my baby- I know how you felt. And am sooo happy it all turned out OK in the end!!

5th Belle Avenue said...

Oh I'm so glad they are okay!!!! That must have been SO scary! Tucker got out over Thanksgiving break when we were at my hubby's parent's house - and I was FREAKING out because I knew he wouldn't know his surroundings or how to get back. PTL we found him! So glad it worked out okay! Have an AMAZING rest of the week and NYE!

SouthernBelleJM said...

OMG, I would have FREAKED out. It's different when your dogs aren't just dogs and instead, they are furBABIES. Literally, Puggy is like my child. I would freak if something happened to her. So glad your babies were okay=) Hope you had a good Christmas!!!!

Lindsey said...

Oh my gosh! I would have freaked out too!!

Teresa said...

Well now Pink Chick!
I know I was reading YOUR blog...but I can tell you I could write the SAME story on my blog!
My parents too live on a farm...down a dirt road...with a pond!
Our dogs adore going to "the country!"
My parents have Doogan's brother...Murphy.
Doogan is our dog!
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers!
Now when those two get together...it spells MISCHIEF!!!!!
I too am overly protective!
They have gone off on excursions like you described...we'll be out in our pajamas with flashlights...yellling our heads off for those two...all along I am knowing my life is within moments of being heartbroken and forever changed!
When we finally find them...they look like they have been strays for months...and comatosed for hours!
It takes Doogan forever to stop breathing heavy!
So I TOTALLLLLLY know what you went through!
And I know what you mean by "loosing FARM privledges!!!!"
XXOOOOXX
Delighted it had a happy ending!
Pop over and take a peek at Doogan in his new coat from Santa!

Gracie Beth said...

Our dog has done that before too because he is afraid of thunderstorms and he will run away if we accidentally leave him outside during one! It is so scary when he does this.

Classy Fab Sarah said...

I'm just glad they are home and safe and mostly unharmed!! Crazy doggies!

Juliana said...

SCARY! I the pups are SOOOOO cute hough!!!! We have a yellow lab arent they the best??!

I am a new follower...pop on by to my blog and follow as well if you would like. It is nice to "meet" you!

Unknown said...

Awww, sooo glad they came home safe and sound!

Brittney said...

I'm so glad they came home! I would have been so nervous too. Love the picture by the way!

chelsea said...

Oh I would have been a nervous wreck! I'm sure you were too! I'm just imagining my little 8 pound malti-poo wandering off and it makes my stomach hurt. I'm so glad he found his way home!

Jennifer said...

I'm so glad they made it back safely! That had to have been so scary!

d.a.r. said...

OMG!!! I would have absolutely freaked out. I am so sorry you had to go through that!! But phew...what a good ending!

Lis said...

Oh sweetie!! I am SO glad they are ok - what a scare!! I know what that feels like and it's the worst / you wonder if you'll ever get to snuggle them up again. Scary and heartbreaking!!

Lis said...

PS I Absolutely love the picture of the two of them!!!! So precious!!

Gwen said...

I am so glad both fur babies are safe and sound. What a way to start Christmas. XOXO

Ams said...

Just popped onto your blog through another blog... I swear we are al connected in this blogging world!

I would have been LOSING it if I were you too. I am so happy you found your pups safe and sound :)

Sassy Engineer said...

oh my goodness! It made my stomach turn just reading this. I'm so glad they both found their way home!!!!

allie-mac-fallie said...

awe thank heavens you found them! so sweet!! :) God does answer prayers! :)

Let The Tide Pull Your Dreams Ashore said...

They are presh! xx