Come home, old girl! (UPDATE!!)

[Macha]

Let me start this story with a little explanation- my Mom and I own a 15 year old dachshund named Pickles. Living in the South and through some pretty tough hurricanes (Georges, Katrina) really put a strain on her in the later years, taking her sight and hearing as she reached her 13th birthday.

Pickles used to be a real adventurer. At our old house, she would make weekly trips to the church beside us and visit the kids that went to school there. Since she lost her sight and hearing, she has been staying very close to home.

So imagine my surprise and heartbreak when I let her outside this morning, took a shower, and found Pickles was nowhere to be found. Since she lost her vital senses, she'd go outside in the morning, do her business, and then bark loudly at the door to let us know to bring her in. It's been that way for around three years.

I've looked everywhere possible for her. Checking with the neighbors is kind of a no-go, as none of them are really around for one reason or the other.

I called Mom and told her what happened, and my Mom's curiously calm about the whole thing. She said when one of her friend's dogs got really old, he knew it was his time, and left. Come to think of it, I've heard the same thing about one of my friend's cats. But I just don't want to believe that Pickles would rather die out in the swamp than in her own bed.

I keep going outside and shouting for her every hour or so, but nothing has yielded any positive results. I can't fathom where she's gone off too, and in about four more hours it'll be dark. Not knowing what happened to her is going to tug at my heart for a very long time.

[Roxhunt]

My heart goes out to you! Having a pet disappear is almost like loosing a child. I hope you find Pickles soon. Hopefully you have a collar on her and regardless, someone will call you if they find her!

[Feralclaw]

Ohh I'm so sorry to hear that!!! I remember losing my boxer dog. I cried my eyes out the whole night! Pickles will be in my prayers tonight!

[Macha]

UPDATE!!

I was on the lawn, letting my dachshund puppy, Moxie, do her thing, when a woman in a van parked in our driveway. She asked me if I owned an "orange" dachshund, and I cautiously looked inside the car to find Pickles, snug in a cat carrier!

The woman explained that she found Pickles wandering in the road (!!!) a few blocks away, and promptly stopped her car to save her. I couldn't believe it and couldn't stop thanking her for taking care of Pickles.

She's now home where she belongs and Mom and I are taking steps to not let her outside by herself anymore, in case she ever gets lost again.

Thank you for all of your well wishes and prayers, Petopians! My troubles have been eased now that our beloved old girl has found her way home.

[Vephriel]

That's wonderful to hear Macha, so happy she's okay! You must be so relieved.

[Litlemouse]

The first part had me worried, so I'm glad you found Pickles! I don't know what I'd do if my dog got lost like that D:

[Lotusii]

Oh wow that's great she's back home with her family. There really are kind people sometimes and it really warms your heart when things work out like this.

[Feralclaw]

UPDATE!!

I was on the lawn, letting my dachshund puppy, Moxie, do her thing, when a woman in a van parked in our driveway. She asked me if I owned an "orange" dachshund, and I cautiously looked inside the car to find Pickles, snug in a cat carrier!

The woman explained that she found Pickles wandering in the road (!!!) a few blocks away, and promptly stopped her car to save her. I couldn't believe it and couldn't stop thanking her for taking care of Pickles.

She's now home where she belongs and Mom and I are taking steps to not let her outside by herself anymore, in case she ever gets lost again.

Thank you for all of your well wishes and prayers, Petopians! My troubles have been eased now that our beloved old girl has found her way home.

Yay! Pickles is now where she belongs, at her home! I'm so glad for you!

[Sukurachi]

you know where pickles belong.. in a JAR.

no, but really... you really gotta arrange things so your dog doesn't wander off. turn your yard into a giant pickle jar!
don't you have leash laws out your way? I know these are VERY variable from one state to the next, even one town to the next.

[Roxhunt]

Thanks for the update! Glad your 'baby' is home!

[Macha]

you know where pickles belong.. in a JAR.

no, but really... you really gotta arrange things so your dog doesn't wander off. turn your yard into a giant pickle jar!
don't you have leash laws out your way? I know these are VERY variable from one state to the next, even one town to the next.

Cute pickle jokes aside, we use the back yard for Pickles and the front yard for Moxie. The front yard has no fence, so I always keep her on a leash. The back yard is almost all fenced in, a fence separating my yard from my neighbor's, a fence separating my yard from the swampy marsh out back, and a small fence that connects to the garage. However, there's this hallway sized gap between the garage and the driveway with no fence, which it surely where Pickles wandered out of.

I know we should have that area closed off when people aren't passing through (Mom's very social and has guests over a lot), and I was really kicking myself for it when Pickles was lost. But since she's returned, we've taken to staying outside with her while she does her thing and will not leave her to her own devices outside anymore.

Thanks again for all of the comments, fellow Petopians!

[Zuilu]

Oh I'm so glad she was returned home!! I got so sad reading the first post

[Sukurachi]

well, you see now I think Pickles sounds so adorable that I NEED to see a pic of her!