ERNIES ADVENTURE.
Over the years I have learned many lessons living with Ernie.
Most times are harmless fun. Others heart attack stuff.
CAUGHT IN THE RIVER.
I took him to the river and opened
the back door thinking he was trained enough to stay. Oh no...again there is water.
He flew out of the car and into
the fast moving river with a long lead on. At first I could hear him swimming and called, knowing this was stupid. I
wasn't worrried about him in the river as he is a good swimmer and can't go far, but did worry about the lead getting caught.
I couldn't see him. Then I heard
a huffing rather than panting and became increasingly concerned. I couldn't get to where I thought he was. He became quieter
and I became more frightened his lead was caught. I stripped off to my underwear and tried to get into the water. As it was
fast moving water and I had no idea what was under me and no one in sight. I needed to think. ..Count to 10...think..what
were we taught with water safety.
Not many
people stand on the river bank in their under wear in May so obviously something was wrong and a man on the other side
had come into the river and up to his waist.He called out was anything wrong. Understandably he didn't want to go any deeper
so stayed and marked the spot where Ernie was. Exactly where I was hoping he wasn't. Nightmare stuff. I climbed
a tree, out onto a branch and saw Erns below with his lead tangled to his neck and just his nose sticking out. I couldn't
get in and while I was wondering what to do the branch broke. Luckily for me I landed in deep water. It was really hard to
hang on and try and free him, but I decided not to take the lead off as he could swim down stream and get out onto the
road above and be run over on the road. With one hand hanging on to a tree and the other untangled him wondering
how I was going to get out. I decided the best thing was for him to swim across the river where the man could
get him, then I could drive to the other side of the river. Getting him across took 3-4 throws of a stick.
Climbing out was
harder than I imagined. I was freezing and starting to worry as I could hear Ernie and the
mans dog not getting on. In my rush to pull on clothes I forgot my shoes and cut my feet on rocks in my hurry
to find where the man was. That didn't matter. All that mattered was my boy was ok.
The whole time this was
happening a photographer was taking pics. He said he thought the man and I were out enjoying a day at the river and he was
taking photos for the Sunday paper.
I am never rude
to people, and hate confrontation, but I couldn't control myself. In an instant I becoming the meanest
shrew that roamed the planet.
From then on I secure
him if there is water within 5 miles, no matter how good I think he is.
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A FISH IN A LABS COAT.
A friend
needed company. Erns hadn't been swimming, and also needed company so I suggested she come to the river with us and we take
afternoon tea It was a lovely afternoon and Erns was having a great time.
She wanted
a photo and couldn't use my camera so I said "you watch him and I'll do it. Don't take your eyes
off him." Less than 2 mins later I turned back to river. I couldn't see him.
"Where is he." She had taken
her eyes off him to look at a tree. Only takes a second with Ernie.
My heart was racing. We couldn't see him anywhere.
The sun was reflecting on part of the water, and trees left shadows which made it harder. I looked up and down the river and
river bank. He had disappeared. He is a very good swimmer, but I felt sick not seeing him. Why didn't I put his life vest
on. Why?
I started going into the water thinking I could see better, when I saw him running along the river bank on
the other side of the river. OMG... How did he get there? How the heck am I going to get him back?
If I swam across the
river who knows where he would go. To drive around would have taken 10 mins and again he could go anywhere.
I used
the chuck it to throw a tennis ball across the river hoping he would get it. It took 3 balls and I was up to my waist in water
before he spotted it and swam out to retrieve it and back to our side of the river.
He must
have been in the shadows or gone under water has he often does. If he had his vest I would have seen him and he can't dive.
Lesson learned.
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ERNIE RAN AWAY.
Ernie had
taken to running away again. I really thought I had lost him this time. He was feet away from going onto a four lane
express way.
He
was at work with me and jumped over a fence and down a hill. I have learned it
is best to follow. It was easier for him on four legs while I slid down
on my butt, after I twisted my knee. Blackberry brambles tore my shirt, and I kept getting caught in bushes.
At the
bottom was a football field. I was worried he would go down the path to the 4
lane express way so ran across the park to the entrance thinking I could corner him. Or at least get down the path and stop
the traffic. Yes silly, but heck my mind wasn't clear by then with visions of him being hit by a bus or truck.
He had that wild look in his eyes. The look he used to have in his eye and no way could I catch him.
He ran past teasing me then found a hole in the fence and was gone.
All I could
think was. Oh my god. Please no. After all we have been through and he is hit by a bus or truck. I was in a panic and felt
sick. I ran across the football field praying god let it be quick. God let it be quick. Don’t let him lie there in pain.
My chest was pounding trying to breath and panic, my legs and back were screaming at me.
Writing this I can feel that panic again.
The
angels were looking after him that day. A city council worker was hiding from his boss and snuck up the path to eat his lunch.
Erns wanted some. I hate to think what went through the poor mans head when he saw me, crawl through a bush yelling hold him.
Grab my dog. He probably thought I had been beaten. I felt like it next day. My face was bleeding from scratches, covered
in mud, and limping. I then had to walk about 3 miles back up to the car. Two people stopped and asked if I was alright. Meanwhile
Mr Erns was trotting along like he was on a Sunday walk.
I never ever
want that feeling again. Sorry this is in red. Can't fix it.
After this wake up call I
decided to have him micorchipped. I didn't expexct him to get away again, but with Ernie one thing you learn is expect the
unexpected.
ANOTHER ADVENTURE.
Three weeks later the electricity
went off late Sunday and set the house alarm off. I spent many hours running the battery down on my cell phone trying to get
the alarm people. Without electricity I couldn't use electric phones, or open the garage door as the side door handle was
broken.
Next morning an electrician came and
after finding the problem was on the street stood in the doorway calling the electric company, while I got the customer number.
I looked around and couldn't see Ernie, so asked the man if he had seen him.
"oh yes he took off ages ago."
What? is the
gate open. (after me asking him to make sure he closed it and the sign says please close the gate.)
Yes.
He told me not to worry his dog does
it all the time and cost $100.00 at the pound.
I ran up the street calling and no
sign of Ernie. Oh heck. Which way could he have gone. I was frantic. I found a mucousy poop trail so thought
this is the best direction. Up and down the streets asking people, going into back yards and houses with open doors and no
sign of him. My car was in the garage and without electricity couldn't get the door open so couldn't drive. It wasn't until
later I learned it took 2 people to get the main door open and get the car out.
I was starting to feel sick, then
angry. O.K. if he doesn't want to live with me thats up to him. I am sick to death of him and off home I would go. Get to
the front door and think. I can't leave him out there and go again. This went on for 2 hours all the time calling Ernie
do you want a swim, come and get a biscuit, ride in the car. I didn't know what to do. I was aimlessly walking around.
A neighbour J.J. heard me and
said I heard you when I came home for lunch. We drove around the streets for over an hour and no Ernie. In my mind I had lost
him. Surely we would have seen some sign of him. J.J. helped me get my car out and I found the old plug in phone in the garage.
I called the
pound. No nothing, the ranger was out and would call me. They called back a short time later to say a black Lab
had run in front of the ranger. He thought this is too nice a dog to be out so put him in the van for safety and he would
be back soon.
They called back an hour later
to say they identifed him with the microchip and it was Ernie. I don't think many people almost cry saying thank,you thank you. My boy was
safe. Thank you for saving my dog. At the pound I don't know who was happier. They didn't check my I.D. as they said
they have never seen an owner and a dog so happy to see each other. I had to pay $75.00, but to get my boy back safe
and sound I would have paid $1000.00.
