Chapter 10: Scruffy, The One that Ran Away

I don't claim to be perfect because I know every dog is different. I merely share what I've learned from the wonderful bunch of pups who have challenged us and these two gave us a run for our money. lol.

Scruffy
He was otherwise perfect the day we picked him up. He snuggled, ate, potty trained and just a slight bit of shyness which we remedied with lots of affection and treats. Most times when we take in a shy foster we are so blessed to have a dog of our own who we can show our foster, through our own dog, how much love we can offer and that it's safe to like us.

One Saturday my husband and I decided to go to Six Flags and my dad said he would be happy to watch the pups. So we bring PJay and Scruffy and I let him know about Scruffy's shyness and being patient with him. My parents have a husky who is quite on the rambunctious side and not very socialized so other dogs are afraid or annoyed by the husky. But they essentially all get along.

So we left and not an hour goes by when my brother texts me, "your dog is gone." And immediately I knew it wasn't PJay. So I call my dad and he said Scruffy was so scared when he let him out, he just left him on the long lead so Scruffy would go potty. Then as my dad proceeded to pull the lead closer and closer with Scruffy pulling away, he slipped out of his collar and bolted. (TIP: this is why I love Martingale collars, granted my dad should've never kept pulling, as obvious that the dog was terrified). But he said not to worry they'll go look for him. I suggested bringing PJay because they're friends so maybe Scruffy will run out to play.

Not 15 minutes go by and my brother said "I took both the dogs and no Scruffy". Well of course, the husky went, and my brother didn't listen. What else is new? At this point bless my husband's heart, he says "honey, I know you're worried and there's no way you're going to have fun here knowing Scruffy is gone. Let's go home." On the drive home I called local police and animal control to describe Scruffy so he wouldn't be lost in limbo if he got picked up.

Before I even get to my parents, I had my husband drop me off several blocks from their house. I walked briskly and frantic yelling as excited and happy for Scruffy hoping he'd run out toward me. My husband was going to grab PJay to walk around the block. I was just about back to my parents house when I lost hope and Scruffy comes running out from behind. He was butt up, front paws down in play mode, tongue out, tail wagging saying to me "where ya been?"

He did not know how much trouble he was in but I couldn't be mad. I called him over and hugged him so hard saying "you have NO idea you aren't suppose to be out here." Lol. And I proceeded to carry him all the way home. I was so lucky, SO lucky! Couple more blocks north and it was a very very busy main road. And it took an hour to drive home so he could've ran so far.