Still can't believe it happened...

If you are anything like my mom, when I tell you that Luke escaped from the house yesterday while Andrew and I were at work, you won't want to hear the whole story. You probably just want to know--did you find him? Yes. I cannot believe this happened.

He must have had to go to the bathroom pretty badly--as I couldn't get him to go that morning before I left for work. So, being the gentleman that he is, he took himself outside--thanks to the tricky lock at the back door that was deceptively in the lock position--but actually quite easily pushed open.

Andrew and I came up the stairs from the garage, expecting him to be at the top of the steps, excited to see us. Instead, we found an empty house and an open back door. We both reacted by immediately going outside to find him. We split up and I started on our normal walk route, calling his name. Some curious neighbors peeked their heads out doors and I asked if they saw him. They hadn't.

I made my way to a cul-de-sac where we normally do not go on walks. Because I had just met a neighbor on that street, I decided to go knock on her door to let her know to keep her eyes out for him. Before I made it to her front door--I saw a dog in a yard a few houses down. My eyes have played tricks on me before when I'm upset--so I didn't immediately let myself believe the dog I saw was Luke. As I got closer I could make out his brown and blue striped collar. It was him! I called after him, but the distress in my voice must have scared him. He walked in the opposite direction. I took a knee in my neighbor's driveway and kept calling him towards me--using my "Who's a good boy!?" voice. He came up to me and I grabbed his collar. I sat in the driveway waiting for Andrew to find us with Luke's leash--wrapping myself around him saying "Please don't ever leave again!"

In the end, I take full blame for the incident. I should have been more careful with that lock. I knew it was tricky. Today, the door is REALLY locked and we put a big bin in front of it to discourage him from even thinking about it. We're adding a second lock to the door ASAP.

Greyhounds can reach their maximum speed of 45 mph in three strides. Had he seen a squirrel or other critter to chase, he could have been in the next county within his first hour out of the house.

We aren't sure how long he was roaming the streets--but the only neighbor who told us he spotted him loose said it was around 5 p.m.--thirty minutes before we discovered him missing.

I don't talk about my religion much on this blog, but if you ask me, it was a small miracle that I found Luke. Many greyhounds who get loose are often killed when they run into traffic. I'm so incredibly thankful to have him back. Luke, I'm so sorry for not being more careful. Please don't leave us ever again.