I Had the Scare of My Life When My Dog Went Missing Over Thanksgiving

I always wondered how people could lose their dogs.  You see those really sad posters taped to trees and wonder if they were ever reunited.  I thought that would never happen to me.   Why?  Because my dog, Amore’ loves being with me, around me (and vice versa).  She’s not the type to  run away.  Even when she’s hot on the trail of a squirrel, she still keeps me within her sights.

Over Thanksgiving holiday I visited a few family members out of state, including my sister’s widow, who had re-married. In fact, the last time I was there was when I helped take care of my sister, who passed away. So you can see, the town doesn’t hold all fond memories.

The day after Thanksgiving my middle sister and I decided to go see THE BEST MAN HOLIDAY. She went downstairs to the garage, and I stayed upstairs with my youngest sister, chatting. For some reason I felt the need to ask her to “Watch Amore’, don’t let her stay under the table for hours; to please pay a little attention to her.” Her response was, “You worry too much.” I had not asked her to do this before; but knew Amore’ was in an unfamiliar place and would be a little anxious when I left.

My middle sister HONKS her horn; as she had been waiting for me. I run down the stairs without the usual “I’ll be back” given to Amore.’ I rush through the garage, jump in the car. My middle sister watches the garage door go down, then we drive off.

After the movie, (which was pretty terrific by the way) while driving home, my youngest sister calls; asks us if we took Amore’ to the movies with us. I said, “Please, why would we do that.” She then informs us that she was watching TV for several hours and then suddenly realized she hadn’t seen Amore’. She called for her, checked every room. She was gone.

Now Amore’ comes when called. She’s not a hider. So the panic began to set in. We hung up and I’d like to say, “raced” home, but my sister drove extra slow, looking for Amore’ on the way home.

Needless to say, when we got home, I searched everywhere calling her name. “Amore’, where are you baby girl!” Nothing. I immediately thought that maybe she followed me down the stairs in my rush to get to the movie, and got out of the garage before it closed. But how? If that were the case, she would have tried to follow our moving vehicle. So I started walking in the direction of the theater, (which was about 8 miles away) calling her name. I checked gutters, parks, side streets. I even approached some women having a smoke outside a bowling alley; trying to keep it together as I described Amore’. I said she wasn’t used to the extreme cold, or the area. They hadn’t seen her, but said they would inform management. They took my number and asked how long I would be in town. I said, “I’m not leaving without her.”

After walking about 1 1/2 miles, I decided to turn around and head back, hoping my sister’s had had better luck. Each step was painful as I had no idea if I was one step away from her or not.. not being there when she needed me the most. Amore’ is an older dog (I consider her middle aged) at 14 years old. I treat her both vet recommended and holistically for arthritis and an enlarged liver. (This is not a dog who could survive the cold in a strange place for very long).

My middle sister found me about 1/2 mile from the house. No, she had not found Amore’. By this time I had lost it. This doesn’t happen very often. I’m usually a very composed person. But not this time. All the emotions of losing my older sister Phyllis flooded back to the forefront. It literally felt as if I had lost her all over again. It was hard to breathe between sobs.

Once we got home, it was suggested to me that I check my home messages. I had thought of that before, but rushed to find Amore’ on foot instead. I logged onto my computer to check my home messages. THANK GOD. A message from Pet finders: “This is Pet Finders calling for Patrice.” “Rick has found Amore’. You can call us back, or reach him directly at …”

My hands were too shaky to call myself, for my youngest sister called him. Eric gave his address and no mention of any injuries. Eric lived 2 -3 blocks away. My middle sister and I jumped in the car and drove to his home. Eric was my savior. He said that he saw her walking across the street and called to her, but she didn’t cross. He said she looked like she belonged to someone, so he went and got her, brought her inside and dried her off before calling the number on her tag.

I had taught Amore’ not to cross the street without me saying it’s okay; to sit and wait until she receives the command. That may have saved her life, or from grievous injuries. Then there’s Eric … whom I will be forever grateful.

Amore’ was missing for just three hours. But those three hours, I’m sure, has taken a few years off my life!

Thank goodness for people like Eric. I hugged and kissed a perfect stranger. Amore’ wandered out of his cozy home to greet me, no worse for the wear. I scooped her up and took her back home. Needless to say Eric was sent a thank you gift and holiday card; nothing that compares to what he did for me.

How Amore’ got out is still a mystery. She may have followed me down the stairs and out the garage. But I wonder how we would have missed her. I didn’t hear her come down the stairs and my middle sister did not see her exit the garage. But the thought of her chasing the car until she couldn’t run any longer breaks my heart. My youngest sister also went outside for a brief moment; at which time, Amore’ could have slipped out looking for me.

My intuition must have told me that something would happen. And it did.

I am so thankful that my trip didn’t end in tragedy and that I will have many more years with my happy, adorable companion.

UPDATE: My furry baby passed away just weeks after this occurance on December 20, 2013. It happened so quickly and was so unexpected. The effects of the vet-prescribed Rimadyl was to blame. Do not EVER give that drug to you pets!