Almost Lost Sally Tonight

[pastafreak]

Sally,my whippet x lurcher, has never had great recall. She also has a tendency to make a sudden "mad dash"...ignoring my calls. Consequently, I'm very careful about where I let her off.
Tonight we were out with a group...6-7 dogs romping. I let ger off...thinking safety in numbers. But Sally showed no interest...standing by me for 15-20 minutes. Then she suddenly bolted...charging around in circles....and then shooting across the space of 2 football fields. By then we were all shouting for her. Just beyond the fields, about 500 ft away...and out of view...is a main road. She was out of sight...and I could see traffic slowing down. I was convinced she was on the road...
A friend of mine had run after her...and saw another dog walker waving his arms at Sally...distracting her from the road. Another few minutes and she came back to me. My heart was in my throat...it took me a while to settle when we got home. I can't bear thinking of what might have happened.

[Baldric]

Pasta, I'm sure you know I'm a Dog owner, all I can say is if you have any doubts, don't trust them. You were so lucky, and I'm so pleased, be careful.

[anneasquith]

Your worse nightmare pasta, easy to dwell on what might have happened, but thankfully she and you are home safe, great you had others around to help.

[pastafreak]

Baldric...the other dog owners have said that from now on,they will let their dogs off with Sally in the more secure area where I usually let her off.
Anne...not sure what I would have done if others had not been there. But...Sally would have been on lead.

[jourdain2]

All's well that ends well! Thank goodness!..... We still dare not let our rescue terrier off the lead after 2 trials which both resulted in hours of absence and a cocky return. Terrifying for you.

[ummmm]

One time when I answered my front door my Springer bolted out of it and was gone. Not only did he have to get across the side street junctions at the end of the street is a busy multi lane roundabout which leads to the park.

Shouted the kids and went running after him. We knew where he'd be if he hadn't managed to get himself killed. We were right...he was in the lake in the park!! My stomach was in knots. It's the first and only time he'd done something like that.

I think he really missed his swims as I'd be taking him to a different park.

[Baldric]

I know you're a responsible owner, just keep that in mind, it's so easy to let it slip.

[marval]

So glad you got Sally back safe and sound.

[Patsy33]

I can only imagine what you were going through. So pleased she's safe and well. Similar thing happened with my daughters dog in January. Her boyfriend took her to usual field where it was out the way of other dogs.( She was rescue dog,) For some reason that night, she ran off towards busy road, which she had never done before. Well, you can guess the rest. It was quick....Heartbreaking. They had done so much for her and she loved them so much in return.

[pastafreak]

Oh God,Patsy-thats awful. I envy those who have dogs that trot alongside off lead,and come when called. But I know mine will never be like that. My job is to keep her safe.

[jennyjoan]

Pasta - Maxie in the beginning didn't respond to recall. I teach him a wee lesson in the bedroom (not now - don't have to) to sit on his bed and come to me which he did reluctantly. It has worked.

Last Monday my window cleaners left my back door completely wide open - Maxie saw the opening and my heart was in my mouth thinking he had run down the street - when I looked he was just meandering on my garden. I can now let him off in the park too and he comes back - it really means a lot for me and of course him as he has the run of the park which he loves.

[Smowball]

Thank god everything was ok

[Mamyalynne]

So glad all ended well, however careful we are the unexpected can happen.x

[wolf63]

My last dog was a five year old rescue, he was uncastrated and terrified. I had to keep him on the lead as he would sometimes attack men. He got better over the years but stayed on the lead.

Keep her on a lead - I got a six foot (?) fabric lead as he was way too strong for an extending one. Its good that she has friends to play with and there were others there to help you.

A walk should be relaxing instead of something to dread.

My nightmare these days is one of the moronic moggies getting out of their carriers on the way to the vet. They are indoor cats and have no street sense at all.

[NoMercy]

Oh dear, it must have been terrifying. Alfie did this to me on a number of occasions and he has absolutely no road sense whatsoever.

I'm glad she's back safe and sound x