Howie's Fan Club

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Blessed - Howie Lost, Then Found

Howard Pee Pugpants
Adventure Pug by Day,
Snoozer Pug by Night

Howie slipped through the interior slatted fence yesterday and darted out of the yard while we were having repairwork done on our exterior fence. He was headed up the block toward a busy street when our neighbor, Alan, saw him. Alan had a treat in his hand and lured Howie over and grabbed his collar just as Carlos (Howie's dad) was running in their direction.

Needless to say, we are blessed this easter. Losing Howie's sister Winnie was the hardest thing ever last year, to encephalitis. I am thanking every angel in heaven today that our wonderful neighbor was watching out for us, and for Howie yesterday.

But that's not where the story ends. This morning, one day after Howie was returned safely home, I opened my studio blinds and saw a little Schnauzer in the rain, headed up the same block all by himself. I went outside quickly and walked briskly toward him and past him at an angle, acting casual so he would not be afraid and run. My goal, first, was to get him to head in the opposite direction, away from the busy street he was moving toward. My second goal was to catch him if I could. And he came right to me.

He was shivering and wet in my arms and listened quietly as I talked to him. I rang several doorbells up and down the street, but no one knew the little fellow. He had no ID tags, except for a Banfield vet clinic 800 number tag which no one answers on a Sunday and there was no answering machine.

So the little friendly schnauzer who has no nametag or ID is resting quietly in a crate, waiting to go to my vet's office in the morning. They will scan him for an identichip and then take him to the Flower Mound Shelter. We are fortunate to have a shelter that has a very high reunion rate and a very high adoption rate. As friendly and well behaved as this little boy is, I know he will be okay.

One good turn deserves another, yes? So if the angels who were watching over my little Howard yesterday for me are listening now, thank you for letting me pay someone back by finding their baby today. I am so hopeful he will be reunited with his family tonight.