Nivens Big Adventure: It was a morning like any other, with my Scottie coming down the stairs and scurrying out the dog door at my urging. Niven didnt stay out for very long at all, and I could tell that he was pretty fixated on eating as he continued to stay close while I took my morning medications. Breakfast passed without difficulty, and my Scottie enjoyed his dessert treat and follow on biscuits just like usual. When Niven went out into the backyard while I ironed my shirt, it certainly wasnt any activity to cause notice. While my Scottie didnt usually stay outside for very long, occasionally he would rummage for longer periods of time before returning covered in cobwebs or decorated with bits of dried leaves. After I was completely dressed and had selected a tie to wear, I glanced out the various windows to see if I could determine what had so captured my Scotties attention. Its not possible to gain a thorough view of the backyard, but I wasnt worried as Niven had been out for longer periods of time before strolling nonchalantly back into the house. However, by the time Id made my lunch and gathered everything together for work, I was somewhat concerned that my Scottie had yet to make an appearance. Opening the garage door and putting my things in the car, I walked around to the side gate where I stopped in shocked disbelief. The gate to the backyard was open, and my Scottie did not respond to my frantic calls and hurried inspection of the area. Rushing out to my front yard, I peered up and down the street without luck. For more than a moment, I was locked with indecision, for there was so many choices to determine. Should I drive the car to quickly cover ground or run the streets myself to ensure I didnt miss anything. On one side, just one house away, there was an intersection that lead to another roadway. Id noticed that most people did not drive the 25 mph residential speed limit in my neighborhood, and just one street over people tended to drive even faster. In the other direction, my street took a dogleg to the left just four houses down with even more intersections and decisions to investigate. Even though it meant that Niven might have crossed the street, I decided to run in the direction that we always went during walks. I have to admit that it didnt take very long at running before I had to stop to catch my breath. Starting off again just walking quickly with long strides allowed me to make better time than trying to run and then stay doubled over every 5-7 houses. Making it down the street to the next crossing was like 3-4 regular blocks if broken up. Turning right, as during our walks, I continued to call out my Scotties name with desperate hope. This street would be about 6 block long before the next intersection. I tried to ignore the too graphic mental picture of Niven injured or worse by any car backing out from all the driveways. All the while, even through all the worries, my mind was torn with the conflict of whether I should try a side street, run back home for my car, or continue on with the chance that I would catch up with my wandering Scottie. Of course, then there was the crushing guilt; as Id obviously failed to close the gate the night before when bringing in all the bins. It was dark and before Id brought all three bins into the backyard, Niven appeared having been drawn by my delay into the house and the noise of the gate and wheeled bins. Picking up my Scottie to place him behind the front gate while I put the last bin away, I rushed out to the front of the house when I heard Niven snarling. But, when I arrived, nothing was within view to show cause of his distress, and in fact, Niven was no longer vocal or agitated. Obviously, when I brought my Scottie into the house and closed the garage door, I missed the fact that I had never latched the side gate. Continuing on my frantic fast pace, I have to admit that I was beginning to lose my first easy hope. After all, I knew that if Niven even caught a glimpse of a cat out and about, that the ensuing chase could go in any direction. I was already more than a mile from my house, when I saw something in the distance that caused me to start running. My vision is not good, especially at extended lengths, but I thought I could see a familiar black shape bouncing up and down in excitement. Knowing that my Scottie always liked to stop at that particular house to tell off the three big dogs behind the fence, I called out hoarsely while rushing full out down the street. As I came up to Niven, I could tell that my Scottie was having the time of his life giving the big dogs a piece of his mind. Bubbling with happiness that Id come to join his big adventure, my Scottie didnt even begrudge when I picked him up for a tight hug. Admittedly, some of Nivens enthusiasm about meeting me, dimmed somewhat upon realizing that we were leaving his impromptu conference. And, he really became disgruntled when he figured out that I intended to carry him all the way home. Still none of Nivens earnest grunts, groans, or perhaps muttered cuss words could dampen my joy that I had successfully found my Scottie. Sure, Niven had a collar annotated with his name and my phone number, and he is chipped with the necessary information to allow contact if found, but I have never wanted to test that line of communication or trust my Scottie to the safety of the street. Before leaving for work, I gave Niven a couple of his extra special treats, and double checked the side gate to ensure my Scottie would only leave home when safe and secure on a leash.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 06:27:22 +0000
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