Please learn from my mistake

[chumleysma]

I took the dogs for a walk last night and they were panting after their walk so I loaded them into my Honda Pilot and opened the back windows so they could have a full breeze on the short ride home. When I pulled into my driveway and came to a stop Chumley jumped out of the window after a squirrel. This is a 4.5 ft. drop to the ground which knocked the wind out of him. He dropped like a ton of bricks. He quickly recovered to chase the squirrel up a tree. He then realized he was free and took off into the woods to pick up tons of ticks, I'm sure, with me in pursuit. I called and called, but he had no recall even after 7 obedience classes. He turned direction to the busiest highway in our town. I had no hope of catching him so I was getting ready to drop to my knees and cry when my husband pulled off that highway and saw what was happening. He stopped the car, opened the door, and yelled let's go for a walk! Chumley changed direction and loaded into the car.
So, don't be stupid like me. Take the time to cool the car down with air conditioning...THEN, load the dogs in the car with windows shut. I can't believe I almost lost my 2nd best friend to my stupidity. And thanks to my best friend for saving Chumley.

 

[ajcooksey]

Wow so scary. I'm glad he's ok and that your husband happened to be in the right place at the right time and acted quickly.

 

[fall3n-ang3l]

We all make mistakes and we learn from them,try and not beat your self up over it,glad there both ok and you

 

[Jager's Mom]

Awe, I'm so sorry that happened to you and your bff. We all make mistakes. Happy the outcome was good. But thank you for sharing your story here... especially with the nicer weather that's on the way...we all need reminders.

 

[Jeannie]

Everyone makes mistakes. The most important is to learn from them. I never roll the windows down enough to get the head out. I allow mine to stick their noses in the 6 inch crack.

 

[ElvisTheNewf]

Thanks so much for sharing this, Stacy. I can't imagine how scary that must have been!!

We often roll down the windows for Elvis while we're moving but as soon as we stop I put them back up. I *want* to believe he's too big to fit through them, but I know where there's a will, there's a way.

Also you're not alone in the recall. Elvis has never, ever had a reliable recall. We've done every single thing we can think of and it's never been consistent.

 

[jacqueline]

so glad you are all ok , I can understand how scary that was , Aslan only has recall when he feels like it , thankyou for sharing this , the unexpected is always waiting in the wings to get us when we least expect it .
Jacqui,xx

 

[Carole Macomber]

How terrifying! Thank-you for sharing. It could have been me...

 

[MC Sullivan]

My heart was pounding for you. Squirrels bedevil my dogs too and are the reason I don't let Penny and Monty off lead outside of our fenced yard. They would take off like a flash after one. Monty has actually jumped, from a standstill, over a 30" gate (I didn't think he was that agile) to go after a squirrel. Don't beat yourself up, take it as a lesson learned. Plus like our dogs we all need reminders from time to time.

 

[victoria1140]

Also be careful how far down windows are as l have had one dog break a window that he got his muzzle through.

Glad Chumley was OK and is now hopefully tick free and that you have recovered.
These things happen

 

[lmfoltyn]

How scarey that was for you!! I can only imagine how terrified you were...glad it all turned out good...thanks for the lesson though...I did just that the other day with my crew...never again!!

 

[estacey]

Thank goodness all is well.

 

[shellyk]

I'm glad it turned out well for you. Our Newf will also jump out a window for a squirrel. She went out of a space I never thought she could fit! We got two of the kurgo harnesses for our Newf and Lab so when in the back they can have open windows and not jump out. All I have to do is say the word "squirrel" and they get excited! The harnesses also stop them from running out of the car and into the road when we take them on an outing.

 

[Thor's Dad]

Stacy good advice, I can see Thor doing the same thing! Thanks for sharing and we are glad to hear Chumley is OK.

 

[dreamchaser456]

So glad everything turned out well. Ursa took off on us from the yard before it was fenced (she's very well trained with 99% recall) and ignored me. Thank you for sharing your experience and learning from it. We have all made mistakes some of which haven't turned out as well as yours this time.

 

[jane]

Very upsetting when something like that happens. My landseer Shannon is a critter chaser and Merlin likes to follow her. She decided to do the same thing and take off after a scent when she jumped out of the car one night. She took off into the woods with Merlin following and neither came when I called them back. It was dark and I couldn't see a thing. I kept calling and could only hear them running in the woods. After about 10 minutes Shannon came dancing back. I will not hesitate to be very firm and that is exactly what I did to her. I grabbed her collar and firmly let her know she was bad. Another 15 minutes passed before Merlin decided to come back. He got the same scolding. To this day, Shannon does not take off anymore. She now comes on recall. Merlin will attempt to go explore but he is too chicken to go alone and always comes back.
I'm glad everything turned out fine. I always use the air in my car. Again, Shannon won't hesitate to do silly things and I just don't trust her.

 

[R Taft]

That was scary....everyone makes mistakes. We have safety belts for all of our dogs, so we do let the windows down as they love it so much. Good for your hubby to find the way to get him. My emergency recall is often to run in the other direction and fall down and sort of cry/scream as if in pain..it has brought many a dog, even new rescues (tobias who took off and Harry just recently), back to me, worrying that i am ok

 

[Brittany]

That was scary....everyone makes mistakes. We have safety belts for all of our dogs, so we do let the windows down as they love it so much. Good for your hubby to find the way to get him. My emergency recall is often to run in the other direction and fall down and sort of cry/scream as if in pain..it has brought many a dog, even new rescues (tobias who took off and Harry just recently), back to me, worrying that i am ok

That is such a good idea for emergency recall! Thanks for sharing that.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

I can imagine the racing heart and going to jello after it was over, Thank the heavens for hero husbands!! And Chumley, my dear.....YOU ARE IN THE DOG HOUSE FOR A WHILE!

P.S. I won't tell you that Myra pulled a stunt like that as a puppy and she's awful lucky to still have a tail, thanks to Vin's fast reaction

 

[lacey9875]

I can imagine the racing heart and going to jello after it was over, Thank the heavens for hero husbands!! And Chumley, my dear.....YOU ARE IN THE DOG HOUSE FOR A WHILE!

P.S. I won't tell you that Myra pulled a stunt like that as a puppy and she's awful lucky to still have a tail, thanks to Vin's fast reaction

Dawn, one of my strictly indoor cats escaped one day, and I grabbed his tail with a bit too much force. He was fine, but not happy with me for a day or so. :lol:


And Stacy!! Many hugs to you my friend! That is so scary! Maggie has the prey drive and swiftness of a cheetah, and there is nothing I can do to stop her-she rolled down a hill over a groundhog and through the wiring on my split rail fence chasing him.

So glad Chumley is ok, and hopefully your heart will stop racing in a few days.