Scary night! Came home from the movies to find cops in our driveway

[intheflow]

because the dogs had gotten out and were barking at neighbors walking their dog! We never go out after dark and I think Honey must have just freaked the fuck out, jumped on our gate so much the latch twisted. We were about 5 minutes from home after the show when we got a call from one of our neighbors saying the dogs were out. Honey got a little pepper spray on her paw, and the cops said Bear was acting aggressively toward them - though knowing Bear, he was just probably scared as shit and barking like mad to protect the house. Five minute later and we could have had two shot dogs!

We were lucky to have other neighbors tell the cops we were responsible dog owners, our dogs were generally very friendly and this was a freak thing that they got out of the yard. Also, the people walking their dog said our dogs didn't attack so they aren't going to press charges. Still, it make me really nervous and scared about leaving them alone at night again, and of course, we have an engagement party to go to in a few weeks. Don't know what they hell we're going to do with them then.

And of course I have a job interview tomorrow. Like I'm going to get any frigging sleep tonight!

[uppityperson]

1. So glad they are ok and how scary.

Good luck with the interview, hoping for the best, or at least something

[hollysmom]

2. if it is only a few hours, put the dogs inside,

they will just be bored and go to sleep.

[intheflow]

4. Yeah, that's what I think, too.

We have a dog door and never had a problem when it was just Bear but Honey adds a new dimension to the situation. I think we just need to close them in next time we go out, but my SO - who knows nothing about dogs and second guesses my every decision as if he was the expert instead of trusting my life-long ownership of dogs - is convinced we need to hire some neighborhood kid to come in and sit with them. Which of course opens up a whole 'nother can of liability worms! But, you know, no reasoning with him in the heat of the moment. I'll try using logic on him again tonight.

[jtuck004]

3. Ours live inside. They go out with me. A number of years the first two

dogs we had were in the back yard, surrounded by a 6 ft steel panel fence. The neighbors said the cops were chasing a guy, and he jumped our fence and went in the yard. Apparently he jumped right back out and surrendered, (Barney wasn't too find of strangers invading his territory) but since that time they, and our later dogs, have all lived indoors.

It involves more washing, care to make sure they don't overheat, getting them out, etc., but they will nearly aways get the shit end of anything that happens, their fault or not, so we just adjusted our lives.

You could find a room destroyed if they spend too much time inside and are not let out when you are home, or if they are new to it and you don't adjust gradually, but it's just stuff, eh? Even the least expensive dog is worth more, and so is our peace of mind.

It's not something everyone is up for, but we would rather know our dogs are safe.

[hamsterjill]

5. Great post!

You have hit upon such an important part of the equation. Like you, I have simply chosen to adjust my lifestyle because having my companion animals is more important to me than having "stuff".

I realize that not everyone feels that way, and I can respect that, as long as they respect my choice to live my life the way that I enjoy.

[Walk away]

6. This....or even better!

I have seen beautiful runs but this one would do while your out for a few hours.

[intheflow]

7. This wouldn't have helped.

It has the same kind of latch that gave way when we were out. The bolts on the latch loosened from them jumping against the gate. So this has the same failure potential.

[Walk away]

8. Then just build a better one.

I am sure that Lowes has a solution for safe containment.

[intheflow]

9. We're going to try simply closing the dog door

and not allowing them out when we have to leave at night. They'll probably just curl up and sleep. I think being outside and seeing people walk by as they waited for us was too stimulating. They aren't destructive dogs.

[Walk away]

10. Leave the cooking channel on and maybe they'll have dinner ready.

I leave "Create" on for my guys in hopes that they'll get crafty!

[IrishAyes]

11. Dogs really like the Animal Channel.

[Walk away]

12. Especially "United States of Bacon"!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/05/united-states-of-bacon-tv_n_2243675.html

[IrishAyes]

13. Can't WAIT for 'Smell-O-Vision" !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[IrishAyes]

14. Must've been frightening

How did your interview go?

In this tiny RedNeckLand MidWest town that isn't even on a lot of maps, law enforcement behavior depends largely on who shows up. We only have 2 town cops, the chief being already taught not to enter my property unless his job requires it, and the other a real dog lover himself, so I don't worry too much about them. But as the county seat, we also have a sheriff's station and they have some real librul-hatin' yahoos that love to shoot dogs and wouldn't hesitate for any excuse. By and large, though, they know also that I don't want them in my yard w/o legal imperative. So they're not going to open the gate for no good reason. I really worried about my chows' safety, less so about the two little girls I have now. The one good local police deputy is such a dear I think anybody would love to adopt him. The others inspire different feelings.