Monday night while clouds gathered - would we get caught in the rain?
It had been a long day of appointments, and the dogs had been cooped up at home while I was gone, so even though I had driven miles, and was wet-noodle-limp, I corralled Zoey and Mabel into the van and headed up to the Appalachian Trail.
Why does it seem like such a trek? It's only 3 3/4 miles up the road from home to the entrance.
It takes 4 songs on the playlist time wise - about 12 to 15 minutes because the road is so winding you'll find yourself only going 12 to 15 mph around those curves.
6pm - no one but us and the ponies.
We only saw three -
But it was enough to delight my senses and make the trip worth it.
Golden evening light and tall shadows.
I was feeling pretty chuffed by the time we made it home for a late supper. I didn't want to do it. I was tired, I had every reason and excuse NOT to do it - but we got out there and did it anyway. We hiked about 2 1/2 miles, mostly uphill until I reached this spot, and then worked our way back down and around again.
The double leash thing works fairly well, unless ONE of the dogs decides they want to be on the "other" side of me and tucks back behind my knees which requires a whole lot of untangling and getting straight again. But we are learning.
A short leash is key - but I'm finding that yes, I can manage two bumbling barkers with one lead instead of a cross-armed effort at two separate ones.
Yesterday though - oh yesterday.
They are usually back at the deck door within 30 minutes wagging tails and wanting treats.
Yesterday started like every other ordinary day - I was planning on leaving for Charlotte at 10am to meet Dave's plane at 12:30. Plenty of time!
I let them out, watched them charge up the mountain as if the world were their oyster, and I headed to the shower. 30 minutes later - no dogs. 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours - there were no dogs. I called and called. I whistled both with my own fingers (I can whistle loudly - it's one of those things you'd not know about me!) and I used the dog whistle as well. Whistles usually get them coming.
At this point I'm frantic and texting Dave who was boarding in Atlanta for Charlotte.
A plan was hatched that he would take an Uber to Statesville and I would meet him there. It divided the trip in half that way. It saved gas and it saved time. And surely the dogs would be back by then?
Nope. Noon arrived. I had to leave. There were no dogs and I was frantic. I put their beds and food and water out on the covered portion of the porch because it was now also raining.
The dogs are microchipped, they have tags with names and phone numbers, and they have vet tags on their collars. Surely someone would call if they found them? But would they wander that far? It's no man's land on the mountain.
I drove with a sick feeling in my stomach - If I lose them, I can't go through this again. There will be no more dogs for me. My heart can't take this.
Statesville is about 1:45 from home. I drove through torrential rain and wind. I met Dave and we started home, but stopped for gas and for a bite to eat because we were both starving. It was nearing 4pm by the time we pulled up the drive and I was so afraid and sick to my stomach to think that they wouldn't be there.
We got out of the van, and there on the porch above us, peeking snouts through the porch rail slats = two very dirty muddy dogs who had come home and were waiting for us.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The pet beds were covered with drying mud and wet. They'd evidently had the time of their lives -
I have no idea how long they'd been home - but both were exhausted and slept hard from the time they were let in. They slept through the night. This morning neither of them shows any desire to run anywhere.
As soon as we get the pickup back from Collision Express so we can haul a trailer, we are building a chain link panel "play pen" A large corral where they can hang out and be outside without running off for 5+ hours (It was 9 hours from the time they headed up the hill at 7am until the time we returned at 4pm)
But these faces - and these looks - how can I be mad at them? They have no concept of time - they only follow their noses. When they follow their noses they turn off their ears.
And since I've been brave enough to share this story - the last thing I need is berating comments, so please don't tell me what I need to do or should be doing. I'm not asking for advice. Commiseration, yes - I've berated myself enough already.
The dogs were never lost. And that's all I need to know for now.
Last night's hand quilting -
Star centers are laying flat!
When they say "It will quilt out!" it oftentimes does. The poofy star centers from a seam allowance that was "just that much" too wide (I didn't know about scant 1/4'' seams when this was put together with a full 1/4'' seam allowance.) are all working in with hand quilting where machine quilting would have pushed pleats.
I'm currently on the first side of the 4th round in.
I love working on this in the evenings and having everything bound and finished so excess batting and backing is one less thing to get in my way.
And that texture - need I say more?
I'm headed to the QPO this morning to catch up on things that have been set aside over the past couple of days. It's a catch-up Wednesday.
What do you have going on where you are?
I'm so excited to see that we've got over 6,000 entries on our April Showers PDF Pattern & Fabric Roll Gift-Away!
It's the Last Week!
The April Showers PDF pattern release has exceeded all expectations as we are all (in this hemisphere anyway!) clamoring for spring followed by summer.
Thank you so much for your positive response! I see photos of you digging through your stashes, posting images of fabric pulls and first blocks already. Sew! Sew! Sew!
I love how ALL of the purples are so varied and play together so well. Mother nature knows what she is doing!
I used my Essential Triangle Tool for the half-square triangles in April Showers.
I used the Simple Folded Corners ruler or Simple Folded Corners Mini for the stitch & flip corners on the diamond rectangle units.
I use these rulers all of the time. If you don't have them, invest in yourself and get them! You'll find them in the Quiltville Store.
Traditional rotary cutting and piecing methods are given to those who don't have the rulers.
Does your purple or green (And neutrals - always!) stash need a bit of enhancement? Check out these color rolls by Cotton to Quilts!
The best variety and fantastic service! And I'm so grateful that Cotton to Quilts is once again offering up 2 fabric rolls for this gift-away!
We'll be drawing for one winner who will receive the PDF pattern for April Showers and a facets of purple color roll, and a second winner who will receive the April Showers PDF pattern and the facets of green color roll!
Head on over to the Gift-Away post and get your entry in!
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
Take a good look at your recent roadblocks. Be stronger and more persistent than they are!
What is holding you up? Push through it!
Star Struck quilt from the Free Patterns tab at the top of the blog.
Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!
59 comments:
Dogs will be dogs, and like you said, they follow their noses and close their ears. So very happy they are home and unscathed.
Bet they were pleased with themselves!
Anna in IL
So very glad the furbabies are back home and safe. Where there are two snouts, there is sure to be shared encouragement to adventure. I know the terrifying, sinking stomach feeling of "where in the world are they?!" There is likewise, such a huge sense of relief upon their return. They bring such happiness and joy to our lives, but they can also have no clue how scarry it is when they are not within sight. I am so happy for your happy "ending" to this adventure.
Oh man Bonnie - my worse fear is my Willow running off like that, I can't imagine how horrible a feeling - so glad their tired, dirty faces were greeting you when you guys got home! Girls just want to have fun!!!
Oh what ornery puppies they are.. I would have been crazy with worry too.. I tell mine I'm going to tie their tails to the post,, and look at me like yeah mom... I'm happy for you that they are home safe and sound and a bit dirty 😍🥰
We learned early on that our Norwegian Elkhounds were runners, so we could never have them off leash. We always walked them all over the neighborhood in both places we lived so they'd be familiar with it. Because they did escape many times. In fact, the day that we were moving they got out through the open garage door and were gone for ages. We were beside ourselves. Often the male would run around and keep stopping across the street. He'd make eye contact, and off he'd go again. Once we learned he would come to the car if we showed him the cookie it was a little easier to corral him. The first time they "split up" when loose was a real nightmare. Fortunately the female got to someone's backyard and they called us. I have more stories, but that's enough! And you are right- using a positive tone with them and offering a cookie worked much better than angry calls. I never punished them for coming home.
OMG I know you had to be sick to your stomach, uggg but that also had to be the BEST thing you'd ever seen when you returned home to find them <3 Dogs, they are the best but truly test us at times :)
Other, dogs and their noses!! Like you I have had dogs take off , having a grand adventure. Two weeks gone for one, So happy your renegades came home safely, A play pen sounds like a good idea, but make sure they can't dig out. That happened here last week. Grrrr. Today is a visit to the city for hubby's pacemaker battery replacement. A good possibility of quilt shop visits, as well as a steak dinner.
The good thing that comes from when things go awry is then you have a great story! If everything went perfectly to plan it would not be such an interesting tale.
Oh Bonnie, I know how you feel about "lost" pets. We have a summer home in northern AZ and our cats would occasionally "escape" from the house and we would spend hours looking for them. Sometimes we found them under the porch next door watching us look for them! All the things that run through your head when they are lost! Glad yours are home safe and sound.
Oh, Bonnie, how very scary!! I am glad the fur babies are home again ... no worse for their adventure than some mud.... and you've already gotten a future safety plan mapped out. The scoundrels are lucky to have you as a Mom!
I know how worried you were Bonnie. That's happened to me with cats. It's such a relief when they come home. I'm glad they got hungry enough to come back home too! I bet they have a story to tell!
Oh Bonnie- what a heart-stopping panic you went thru while the dogs were AWOL! I'm so glad that these beloved rascals returned safely! I think you & Dave have come up with a good solution to build a play pen corral. Love seeing how your baptist fans are working on your string quilt. Love reading your blog and keeping up with your life. Hoping you have a wonderful day.
Oh Bonnie, my heart is still pounding from reading your story! I 100% empathize and am so glad the pups made it home safely. I bet they had a wonderful day!! When I was a kid, we adopted a love-bug stray spent her days roaming the mountainside. She would bring us deer parts left behind by hunters and we'd get calls from friends who would see her in her daily travels...
I will never forget the day she proudly ran home with the bottom half a deer leg dangling from her jaws, to the squealing delight/horror of her 3 little human sisters!
Glad the girls are safely home. Mud and all. There's a certain Mystery quilt on my agenda, after a binding. Our Roadtrip was a sucess. My Swap quilt will go in the mail soon. I loved handquilting as we drove. So calming. And using a smaller needle was good. Happy Wednesday.
So happy the dogs, you and your husband are home and safe.
I am so glad they showed up and were waiting for you on the porch. What a sight to come home to, a beautiful sight! We never know what our pets will do. You will have peace of mind when you get the pen built. Glad it turned out well, Bonnie.
That's exactly the scenario here. Many deer parts have come home - most recently the upper part of a skull. They are SO proud of themselves. LOL!
Those dogs had their best day ever! As a farm girl, I wouldn't corral them but that's me. My dog once jumped in the bed of the pickup when Dad left for the cow sale which is about 18 miles away on backroads. 14 days later, she found her way back to the dairy. We didn't think a dog would walk that far but they seriously have a homing pigeon gene to go with their amazing nose for home.
what joy in your heart to see those two muddy snouts welcoming you home!!! I thought I remembered Sadie could walk without a leash, but she was so settled and obedient... these two are jolly 3 year olds, having such fun, and the breed type would help them run 'til they dropped!!!... wish i could have been watching them frolic, so i could reassure you they were fine!!! They'll probably sleep most of today, as well... Cats in Carlsbad CA
Glad about your pups! I'll bet you were so worried. Love the quilting on your star quilt! Someday I will give hand quilting a go!
One time my brother was watching the dogs when we were traveling. Apparently he had loose boards on his fence and figured since my dogs are well behaved, they will be fine. The big German shepherd mix went up into the mountains and came home 10 hours later, mind you she has never really been off leash before. We live in Maryland, and I'm pretty sure she went and sniffed around the President's Camp David all day lol Dogs are dogs, they are nuts. The other one got brought home in the back of a police car in base before we even knew she had let herself off her yard leash.
Oh, Bonnie! I so know your panic! We have two runners. Out the front door not on leash means jumping in the car and trying to find my runaways! It is a panic time for me and my hubby. We want to take them to my brothers and let them run but we are terrified they won't come back. I'm looking now for active GPS devices I can place in their harness so we know where they are. My babies love to be home but they love to run more!
Anyone who berates you for THAT doesn't really understand rural dogs very much. I think your fence solution is a great one! And there must have been something in the water yesterday, because my usually very placid senior pittie found a DEAD POSSUM to roll around in on our walk yesterday before I could drag her away, and holy moly, did she stink. I could barely get her into the tub without my eyes watering. She did NOT understand why I was so grossed out, ha!
Yes - commiseration! Country dogs here too, who come back promptly 99% of the time, and give us gray hair the other 1%. Mine usually come back not only muddy, but also stinky bc they've found some deer poop or something to roll in. They cannot figure our why we'd quash their happy buzz with something as awful as a bath.
Hi Bonnie, my neighbors have something on their dog's collar that tracks them , and the humans can see where they are and where they have been. They bought it because their dog comes into my yard and terrorizes my cat who is sleeping on our screened-in porch. They are trying valiantly to teach her not to come up on the porch of our house. She is a hunting dog, and her prey drive is over the roof... her owners are doing their best - fingers crossed.
No pictures of the fun loving pups!
My beagle girl is all nose, too. Doesn't remember her name if she's caught wind of a fox, squirrel, deer or groundhog (and we have all of them in our heavily wooded neighborhood!). She blows right through the invisible fence, so we have a tether for her, plus she gets long walks and trips to the doggie park.
I had a knee replacement two months ago, so no way I can chase her down these days. She's chipped, wears tags, etc.
Our previous dog was a beagle-border collie. Once we installed the invisible fence, she knew her boundaries and would sit in the yard barking at the fox tormenting her from across the street. She was hit by a car after escaping during a thunderstorm but recovered completely, though I didn't!
So glad your girls came home, sorry they were a muddy mess. If only they could share the cool things they did on their adventure! I totally get the panic and fear when they took a long detour home. ❤️
Sure glad they are home and safe! Remember when they used to say things like boys will be boys... dogs will be dogs too! And girls too! Sorry that you had to stress through all of this.
Oh, I wish your dog that came back in the police car could tell her side of the story! Can you imagine the tales they could tell of what trouble they got into? Sometimes I think dogs have more fun than humans when they run off and have fun.
Oh Bonnie, I feel bad that you even have to ask people to be nice but we know how it goes. Bless you and those pups. I can feel that heartache deep in my soul! :)
What a hard day - worrying takes alot of energy! I'm betting you slept hard has the two doggos..... It was all beyound your control - and you did the best you could with an impossible situation. Glad that ya'll have a plan for the future - because there would be a "next" time with those silly dogs.
Like you said you have 42 acres of wonderful exploring and those two just decided that yesterday was the perfect day to explore All their domain! They were never lost. Nothing makes our Aussie happier than to find an antler in the woods and bring it home to play keep-away in the yard before he buries it in one of the flowerbeds. Your earworm for the day - Who Let the Dogs Out! ?...
Oh, Bonnie, I love your dogs and your stories about them. You must have been so worried! You're the best dog mom! But those smells! Running the woods! What dog fun! I just love hearing about them.
So relieved Mabel and Zoey are home safe and sound. Two positive thoughts...they DO know where home is and how to get there from wherever they were, and they did not come home reeking of skunk spray as my Mollie once did...
My Granddaughter had the most beautiful boxer, they loved doing things together, but she was a runner at a moment's notice. My son ran a wire from the house to an outbuilding and she would run with her leash tied to it from one end to another. But that still didn't solve the problems when she started chewing the siding! Glad your babies are back.
Hey my daughter has greyhounds and she put one of those tile things and put the app on her phone to track them .. one of her dogs got away and yes they run fast. So was abl we to track her
My daughter had rescued a dog and he was content and finally used to his new home. My daughter and her husband traveled to a different state with close friends the dog was fine but the door got left open and he went on an explore. His adoptive sister went looking and brought him home after a couple hours. He crashed on my daughter's lap and wouldn't move for quite a while. Dogs can't express their feelings. Yours felt a need to run and did but they knew where they would be safe a d followed their own scent home. It happens to most pet owners at some point.
My heart raced at your wandering dogs story and I don't even have a pet! I'm really happy to hear of your solution so that doesn't happen again. A heart can only take so much! :) Living the "spring that never came" in Minnesota, I had an amazing quilt retreat weekend, followed by a really great quilt guild meeting last night. All the quilty "feels" are going strong here. While I may be the last person ever to complete "Frolic," I made loads of progress on it at retreat and it is now my single, current project, so there's hope! ;)
Cheeky monkeys. They went to play with the ponies!
Love your hand quilted quilt!! The feel and warmth of sleeping under hand quilting is fantastic.
I know the feeling of dogs running off. We had 2 labs and a coon hound. Still have the labs but our coon hound got over the fence. We're on 2 plus acres but that wasn't enough for our loving, beautiful, smart coon hound. We went searching and found her body a quarter mile away. She was hit by a car. It took 3 years and the acquisition of a dachshund, for the heart ache to ease. We now have a half acre fenced around our house and regularly check and recheck for digging. The dachshund can't jump a 6 ft. fence. We're in our 70s and these will probably be our last 'kids'. We love them so very much. I'm happy your girls returned safe! Patty McDonald
Oh, Bonnie, I know that was so scary when the dogs were missing! I would have been frantic also! But so glad to hear they are home & safe!
Animals know when something important or different is happening, don't they! Thank you for the great story and I'm glad your furbabies made it home safe.
I have nothing to say about the dogs (ha) we used to have a Basenji, known escape artists, that would run and be gone for 2 hours. Fortunately he knew his way home. Worried me to death though.
I also wanted to say that your hand quilting photos always make me smile! Please keep sharing that progress!
Oh Bonnie, my heart was pounding while I read this, so I can imagine how awful it must have been for you. I'm glad they were waiting for you when you got back home - probably completely oblivious to the trauma!
What fun they had! You're a good Mom and I bet they were delighted to find their beds on the porch when they got back!
Well THAT story got my heart racing! Better than an jolt of coffee! The worst nightmare of a pet owner…so glad you got your dogs AND spouse back!!!
Oh, my heart was breaking while reading your post. I grew up in the country where dogs could have a good run. My aunt lived next door and they had the brother of our dog. Dogs need a good run, but they are still goofy at times. So glad for you that the story has a good ending. Now I have cats that always stay on my large property but once in a while, one doesn't come when I call. Little cats can hide in the woods. I know that but all your thoughts go through my mind, too. We love our furry family. If only they could use cellphones and call us.
The best laid plans!!! I know my heart would be "in my throat" as they say! Dogs!! I bet they had a grand time. Don't you wish you knew the stories behind the adventure?? Hugs!!
I love April Showers!!! As for the pooches those girlies. I have never lost a dog that long but my heart was pounding reading the story. "Oh Girls Jus Want to have fuuuun"
Oh Bonnie, I can imagine how frantic you were, particularly when you had to leave after 5 hours to pick up Dave. I have indoor cats, but they have occasionally gotten out and it took almost a week before one came home. It is so nerve wracking. You love them so much and are so concerned for their well-being. So glad they were home when you arrived back there - muddy and tired even!
I understand the hesitation in leaving but they came home and that's all that matters. Love those little ones and my heart goes out to you. I missed my algebra test because I could not find my better-half's cat when we were first together...I looked and looked and even called the teacher to tell her Ozzie Osborne was missing. Face it I'm allergic to cats and I wouldn't leave that house...here she comes out from her hiding place and she was strictly an indoor cat, Howard had her declawed...grrrrr....I missed my test and while I was working on my masters degree after passing calculus I had to retake algebra. But things happen and she was Howard's buddy how could I leave.
Dear Bonnie, I'm so glad your puppies came home. I would have been frantic! They are so precious to us. I deal with the same thing on the dual lanyard leash with our two shih tzus when we go on our walks. Bella and Luna are sisters from the same liter. They have lots of toys and if I buy 2 of the same toy, they still fight over one toy. They want the toy the other one has. Yes, when they follow their noses they turn off their ears. I love your blog and your beautiful quilts!
How scary when they don't return when called, especially after that long! They just couldn't resist the 'call of the nose'! So glad they returned, safe from harm, and together - but oh, what a scare for you! We just had to put our elderly Coton de Tulear, Sadie, down. She stopped eating and made it clear it was time. She would always come to me when called, but our other dog, Abbie? No, she has a mind of her own....stubborn as can be, but so affectionate and loving. She turns 9 this fall and we've decided we won't have any other dogs when she crosses the bridge -- our hearts aren't able to stand the 'good bye's' anymore.
I'm happy for you that your pups were home to meet you with their silly sweet smiles. Thank you for showing your stars quilt with the Bishops Fan quilting design. I have a Lone Star quilt top almost ready to layer and quilt. I plan to use the Bishops Fan design on it. Ever since you wrote the blog about quilting the Bishops Fan without using a template I have kept in mind using the Bishops Fan design for my Lone Star quilt. It is made in Red, White and Blue.
Thank goodness your dogs are OK! I know how absolutely terrifying it can be when you don't know where they are.
We were watching my daughter's dog, a small minpin mix a who got out of our yard and did a run through the neighborhood. He was only about 7 lbs and I was terrified he would be hit by a car. Ran out in my bare feet looking all over for him, got the neighborhood kids looking. Finally had to go back home to get some shoes on and there he was on the back deck barking to get in the house.
So happy to hear that the doggies came on home! What a sweet relief for you both! My little yorkie managed to get out on us when we had left the house for a long afternoon of errands. We had neglected to close the outer door and we guessed that she jumped against the glass door and it opened for her. She wasn't lost but she was pacing the front yard and suffering in the heat while she was waiting for us. Of course, it was a long, hot Texas afternoon. I surely know the anxiety of worrying about a pet. Your babies must have had a wonderful time running and all's well that ends well.
Having a safe place for your dogs outside is equal to having a safe place for your heart!
I totally understand. I have a dog, Grace, who runs too. But so far, when she gets away, she comes back. But it is a scary feeling deep in the heart and stomach. Now we have a complete fenced back yard for the dogs to run in. I love your videos and sharing of your pets. They are blessings in our lives. The hand quilting is looking just beautiful! Makes me want to start one by hand. It has been a while since I finished one, but you inspire me. I am sewing some batting together for a table runner in the morning. Had to look it up to see how you do it. Thanks for the tips and lessons. Sleep well knowing your babies are safe and tired.
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