usually we can stand on the porch and call her and she'll come right back. if that doesn't work, then maybe we walk a few houses to the end of the block, call her again and she comes right back. there's no need to scoop her up; she runs right to the porch, wagging her tail.
then there are those incidents when we haven't even realized she's escaped before a neighbor knocks - "found maggie out running around. here she is..."
but today was different. maggie was gone. i was about to take the boys to the grocery. we were in the "1/2 shoes, 1/2 no shoes" stage. mac was instructed to put on his shoes, hat and coat. bode was told to "stay on the couch. don't move." they knew it was serious. "mommy, maggie's gone?"
i went outside and scanned the block, calling her. nothing. then, i heard her little fast paws running... nope, just wind blowing some leaves. david is at work, and suddenly, i have a situation. no collar, but she has a chip. she knows how to get home, but has no clue that cars will kill her. this could be ugly.
i come back inside, the boys are waiting - obediently. "mac, go out on the porch and yell for maggie. don't stop." like a little soldier, mac follows orders exactly. i put bode's shoes, hat and coat on. he's deployed - "go out on the porch and help your brother."
i need a coat, it's freezing. i can hear the boys on the porch. "MAG-GIE!" i grab my phone and lock the door. the grocery will have to wait.
and we're off. it's a strange day - cloudy, 34 degrees, not a soul in sight. it's about 4:30 pm.
"ok, boys. we have to walk around and call for maggie. be loud and don't stop."
we head up 8th street. "MAG-GIE!"
mac (5) - "maggie's our dog. we lost her. we have to find her!"
bode (2 3/4) - "maybe we should split up."
me - "let's go this way, boys. keep yelling."
we head down the alley toward 9th st. "MAG-GIE!" i listen as the boys stay concerned, yet optimistic. mac reflects on his love for maggie. bode insists "we'll find her." i waited for them to complain about the cold. bode always whines about needing mittens. but there was none of that. their hands shoved in their pockets, noses red and runny, they pressed forward, calling for their dog. bode worked to keep up with our pace. mac never stopped calling and never complained. i thought, what am i going to do if we find her lying in the street?
we've been out about 30 minutes. we head back to our block to tell our neighbors. it's windy and still freezing. i still have to go to the grocery... and start cooking for easter... and david will be gone for hours to come. we're about to load into the car for a wider search when maggie comes running full speed down 8th st. and right up to the porch. our mouths drop, we all jump up and down - "maggie! maggie! you're home! good girl!" she runs inside the house. the boys are hugging her and i'm showering her with peanut butter crackers. mac and bode tell her, "we love you, girl. we're so glad you're home. we missed you."
within a few minutes, we're back on track. "ok, boys. we're going to kroger. mac, please put maggie up. bode put your hat back on." and off we go.
it was an hour i can't get back. but for what i learned about those 2 little men today, i wouldn't trade a thing. i thought maggie was gone for good this time. as we walked, i wondered what we would do, how the boys would take it and so on. i was afraid she was hurt. we adore maggie. she is calm and super sweet; i don't want to lose her. but losing her today was a gift. an opportunity to catch a glimpse of my sons' hearts and character. mac leading us - "let's go this way. let's try the park." and bode insisting we keep going. i watched in awe and felt blessed to know them.
what a great day - losing maggie.
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