Sammy Story 9: Loose!

We had only had Sammy for less than a week, but we had already been booked for a weekend camping trip. We didn’t want to cancel, but we were very concerned how he would do. He wasn’t used to us yet. We didn’t know if we could tie him up to be with us outside, since he would not be in an enclosed area, or if we would have to keep him in the camper at all times.

Our first crisis came when we were loading up the camper at our storage facility. We were busy going in and out. Theo was bringing stuff in and I was inside with Sammy, putting it away. He seemed to be fine with me until he wandered out the door and was sniffing around. I didn’t notice. Next thing you know, Theo comes around the corner and that was it.

He bolted!

The compound was quite large, about 5-10 acres, completely fenced. But it was beside the No. 2 highway, and surely there must be holes where a wee doggy could wriggle through? Worse, he was not a dog who would come when you called, even to me. We couldn’t chase him and he wouldn’t come.

What to do?

That little sucker was fast! He was running and leaping through tall grass as fast as he could, looking for a way out. Watching him, you would swear he was a rabbit, he moved that fast. His jumps were at least 6 feet. We would lose sight of him, then find him streaking off in a different direction. If The Ogre started to close in, forget it, he was off. I couldn’t walk fast, and even if I called, he didn’t come.

Finally, I told Theo to make himself scarce. I spotted Sammy afar off and slowly started towards him, calling soothingly. He stopped but didn’t come to me. I got to within six feet and he circled me but wouldn’t come any nearer. He shied away when I went closer. He wanted to be near me, but not enough for me to be able to grab him.

I sat down. Maybe he would overcome his fear enough to wander closer, but it was not to be. I had no idea where Theo was, and didn’t want to yell for him, in case I spooked Sammy more.

Finally, I decided to head slowly back to the camper, hoping he would follow. Thankfully, he did just that, but wouldn’t let me pick him up to go inside. He stayed at the bottom of the three steps, looking up to me, but not coming in to me. I called and called, sitting down, waiting.

“Come on, Sammy, come on, boy,” I urged him. I could tell he wanted to, but he just wouldn’t do it. He paced in his tight little circles, looking up at me.

Finally, he made the leap, and up the steps he came.

It was just in the nick of time.

Not a moment later, The Ogre rounded the corner. But Sammy was safe inside, peeking out from between mom’s ankles.