Sympathy and high five Galen, me too. Always have some reading material for the best seat in the house.
My favourite place to read my books has always been in bed, snuggled up with my little doggie. Last night she went out into the garden and heard some young girls go past and scrambled out under the gate to get petted. I called her and she didn't come back. My heart jumped into my mouth, my stomach lurched and I let out a scream to my son that she had disappeared. We searched the back street and crying with utter distress I checked the whole house in case I had missed her, but no.
I went back outside and walked around the corner, calling for her and crying, not being able to envision my life without her. I was now on the main road and dreading seeing her lying at the side of the road. We have only lived in this house 4 weeks. No sign of her but there was a group of three young girls across the road with something in one of their arms. I shouted to them "Have you got my dog?" "Yes" they shouted back. I nearly collapsed. They came across the road and I hugged the young girl holding her. Maggie stretched out to be taken by me and I very happily and gratefully took her, hugging her hard, still crying. The young girl started to stroke my arm and console me while telling me they had been calling at houses to try and find her owner. What a wonderful group of young ladies and their parents should be very proud of them. I was very, very glad I had found them, I was terrified of not finding her again. I wish I had told the girls to come back tonight for some reward money but nothing will be enough to thank them really but I thought they deserved something. I only thought of it though when I had calmed down later.
My son, being relieved but scared about her doing it again, went and sorted out the little gap she had got out from.
So, when Maggie curled up with me last night in bed and I started to read, I knew that I was a very lucky person indeed. Sometimes we take people/animals for granted and last night taught me lesson. I will cherish even more the little warm body who lies with me in bed while I read, gets up with me in the middle of the night if I am unwell, smiles when we are on holiday together (yes, she actually smiles) and is like my shadow, my best friend.
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