Sunday, May 24, 2009

Dog days come early

Maddie gets to know her new friend, a labrador retriever
named Mary Margaret.

Everyone is in love with my friend Deb's new puppy, who was seven weeks in this photo. (We've had some discussions about the name, but hey, to each her own.) Maddie really wants to play with her, but she knows not to squash her. She prances around and tries to engage her; the first time, the puppy ran for cover, but she's gotten a little bolder and now occasionally swats a tiny paw at Maddie. My dog is actually pretty small for a lab, but she looks like an oaf next to the puppy.


We've been talking a lot about how great it is to have a dog. I was sitting at the kitchen table talking to Deb yesterday, both dogs asleep on the cool tile floor, when someone came to the door. Maddie jumped up and ran to the door, wagging her tail. "Isn't it great to have a dog come running to the door when you come in?" I said.

Maddie has been great about coming when called, so sometimes I take her in the yard without a leash. We live on a busy street, but the house is set back, and she seems to know to stay at the edge of the property away from the road.

Yesterday I went out to clip a few spring flowers from the garden, and the dog wandered off a couple of times to the woods around the house, but each time I called her, she ran back. When it was time to go inside, I called her and she dashed into the woods and disappeared. At least she didn't go towards the street. The woods border a residential neighborhood, and I cut through to the house of our nearest neighbors, Eugene and Susan. (Moss and overgrown trees...weak legs...I did not need to be doing this.)

Eugene and Susan reassured me that she'd come back, and they started calling for her too. So did Joe and Katie. I got in the car and drove around. No sign of her. I got that sickening feeling like when you "lose" a young child in a crowded store. Usually the child is right behind your legs. I figured that the dog would come back, but I felt sick and guilty.

Joe headed off to the store to buy a few things. There was nothing we could do. Katie sat on the couch with me and comforted me, saying it wasn't my fault. Then Joe called. He had made one more loop of the neighborhood called Sycamore Knolls. He said he found the dog in someone's yard. She stunk and was covered with something that she must have rolled in.

It wasn't far, so I walked down with the leash. When we got her home, he sprayed her with the hose to get the worst of it off. Then off to the bathtub. She sat nicely for her bath, looking pretty pathetic, and then when she got out, she shook. What a mess.

Joe then had to go to the store and get a new collar, because the old one was covered with whatever it was. I tried not to glare at her. I know that dogs have a short memory, and she would just be confused by an angry tone hours later. I was so relieved to see her, but I was also angry.

Today I didn't let her come outside without a leash. I'm not sure if she should get her "privilege"
back. It's nice to have her romping around when I go into the yard, but I'm not sure if it's worth another runaway episode.

There is, of course, one good thing about our little ordeal.

I didn't think about leukemia once.

13 comments:

Nelle said...

OMG I am so glad that this ended well. I had a dog that I could really trust never to leave our yard but she left us six years ago and my current Sheltie, a male named Duffy is never allowed out of the fenced in area. Once my son accidentally let him off the leash and he was missing for an entire day! Those invisible fences are great if you don't have a fenced in area in your yard. We had ours fenced for the dog. Hmmm Mary Margaret is a good name for a girl in Catholic school or a nun but a dog? Unusual. So glad you were able to enjoy your yard and dog this weekend! Yea for you.

Daria said...

What a precious puppy ...

I don't know where I'd be without my dog ... they do take your mind off cancer.

Susan C said...

I think I'm in puppy love with Mary Margaret.

So glad this had a happy ending.

Anonymous said...

Love the ending there! Those moments when you realize you haven't been thinking about cancer just sneak up. Aren't they great and always such a surprise?

My husband's due for a stem cell transplant in the near future and the dogs have to go. We just don't have anyone to leave them with while we're away for months. We can't afford to kennel them for that long and for the many return check-ups. (The transplant center is far.) And it wouldn't be the best situation for them, even if we could. We've already placed one in a good home, but I think the 8-year-old is going to be tougher.

I wonder from time to time about the possibility of something going amiss with the transplant and me returning home with nothing more than my husband's personal effects...and no dogs being there to greet me. I try not to dwell on that too long, but to take things one day at a time, as they come.

Ann said...

Isn't it strange how life's "normal" crises creep in and shield your mind from cancer? I'm so glad this story had a happy ending.

Anonymous said...

Well, I believe in dogs. My dog Kimo lived with us up in Seattle in a 2 bedroom hotel room for 5 months and I swear he helped heal me just as much as any medicine. It is amazing how they remain so present. He was the same loving and calm dog when I had acute gvhd and running to the bathroom and just as calm on the days I have received the news the leukemia is nowhere to be found.
They help us focus on something besides ourselves and are truly in the moment.
Those pictures are special. Let the healing continue you are doing great!
Lea

Anonymous said...

Dearest Runder-Woman,

There is nothing like a dog! As you know, my whole life has been integrally tied to the canine -- the bond so affirmative of joy and frolic -- here's to all of our dogs past and present...canis quondam et futura...

ps: did you see my comment re the Lab and your lab? love the puppy -- too, she's English, i trust...
xop

pam said...

Dearest Ronni,
pam again -- strange -- have to call someone named margaretmary back, and was at botanical garden yesterday as you know, and noticed that there was a plant named Margaret Mary, and commented on how odd it was, and how, grammarian here, did not like the name as one word...quite odd the coincidence, but ...thanks for reminding me to call her back, she's at Fountain House...
xop
dr.dog-whisperer here...names are very important, -- she might turn out rather prim and proper, and that is not puppyish! xop

Anonymous said...

Dearest Ronni,
dogger-pam again, guess who was with me at the Garden yesterday, when i commented on margaretmary...
my vet's mother, Betsy -- the vet who saved my dog's life the day we came back from the Caribbean -- also i've become friends with Mr. Schwartz' wife Val -- and she adores dogs -- we are going to take a walk so she can meet my dog sometime soon...
all roads lead to dogs and Friends!
xop
PS: we also talked about You, of course,

PJ said...

So glad Maddie came home. My dog Turbo did this once and we sent out a search party. While everyone was out combing the neighborhood, I stayed home waiting to see if he'd return. Sure enough, about an hour later, Turbo was sitting at the garage door, smiling and happy.

donna said...

Maddie's a good dog and rolling in stuff is just a dog thing to do. At least she is a dark color. My dogs were both white and when they got something gross on them, the stain was there for a long time. It was great to see you Monday even if it was to take you for a doctor's visit. Deb D. is a character and it is always a fun adventure when we are all together. Hope your appointment today goes well. Love you!

pam said...

Dear Ronni,

You are Runder-Woman, Madison is not to be Run-away Lab! No to the privilege -- she does not get it, and how about an extendable? permitted by trainers only for such a purpose, or better yet, an electric fence!
There you go...dogger-pam again...

Ken Ross said...

What a cute puppy!!! And I like the name too!