Like most folks, our pets become members of our families almost like our own children. Well, last Tuesday, I was cleaning out the utility room on the car port. I had an arm full of stuff to take back to my shop and went through the gate in the fence. Awhile later it was coffee time so I went in to get a cup. Our chocolate lab just loves to chase the squirrels in the yard and went running out the door when I went back to my shop. About 30 minutes later I was ready for another cup and when I walked out the door of the shop the first thing my eyes saw was the gate wide open. Naturally no dog.
I started looking for her around the neighborhood but after 2 hours I hadn't found her nor had anyone seen her. To say that my wife was miffed when she got home is putting it mildly. We checked with the city animal shelter for several days but she was not there. We put up signs all over the neighborhood but still no word. Then this morning a man called saying he thinks he saw her just down the street from where we lived. We were in the area in less than 10 minutes and drove all around the area but still didn't see anything. I asked some folks out in their yard about her and they said they saw three dogs, one matching Heidi had just gone down the street. I was off in that direction and spoke with a guy in his yard that said he saw the dogs go back up the street. About 30 minutes later, I was talking to a jogger and he said he saw a dog that looked like her on another street. My wife was in her car and I was in my truck and we crisscrossed the area several times but still no dog. Then a little before 5 pm I was out looking again when my wife calls and says she has Heidi. A guy had seen one of the signs and saw Heidi in a yard with a couple of girls and called my wife saying your dog wants to come home.
I don't know who was the happiest, my wife, the dog or me. There hadn't been a lot of pleasant conversation around the house since Tuesday. Now all is well again. The Lord still answers prayer because now my guilt of letting her get out has been resolved.