This was the first summer for Charles to go off to summer camp. He was VERY excited about it, and was going to be in a cabin with his best friend, James.
However, the Friday before camp started (on Sunday) something really terrible happened. We went to Grapevine lake to watch fireworks and took Carly with us. She is very afraid of things in general, but was a having a great time playing Frisbee by the lake. We went to sit down on a blanket as the fireworks were just about to begin. I told Charles to put her leash on in case she got scared. Just as I said that, the first boom of fireworks went off, and Carly BOLTED. She was scared to death and just ran. It was dark out (of course) and there were woods all around. Steve went after her but there was no way he could catch her. She was gone!
We searched for her for hours that night (until 2 in the morning) but no luck. We were all devastated. Saturday morning I made signs and we canvassed the area with them, all the time looking and calling for her. The Border Collie Rescue center where we got Carly also posted her info on their Facebook page.
We were feeling vey sad and hopeless. It rained and was very cool that weekend, so we knew at least Carly had enough to drink and was not dying of heat. But we had no idea where she was. Steve and I looked and looked. Grammy and papa looked. Our good friends helped us put up signs and look. Nothing.
Sunday was the day to take the boys to camp, so we finished packing and drove them to East Texas with heavy hearts. I told the boys not to worry and I'd let them know if we found her. Thomas didn't want to go this year, but Josh and Charles were very excited to go.
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| Josh didn't go with a friend this year, but quickly met up with some friends he had met last year. |
I was nervous for Charles, hoping he wouldn't get homesick. I was also a little bit nervous about Joshua not going with a friend this year. But I was mostly thinking about poor Carly, now going on 3 days alone in the woods. I knew the boys would have a great week.
On our drive home, I was just thinking about how we could find that poor dog. Then Steve got a call that she had been spotted. We both immediately headed back to Grapevine when we got home and looked for many more hours. Still nothing.
Early Monday morning we got another call. She had been spotted on the trails. Off we go. Steve and I in different directions. By this time she had been gone 3 nights. After an hour or so, we kept getting calls that people were seeing her, but she wouldn't come to them. (our signs were working). We knew where she was she just wouldn't stay still long enough for us to get to her (and she is VERY fast)
I had the idea that I needed a bike. Papa and Thomas brought me a bike and I was able to cover a lot more ground much more quickly. It was around 1:00 and I was getting tired. Steve had taken Thomas to a camp and went home. I was getting ready to leave the area, when I got another call.
A lady had seen Carly. She saw the post on Facebook and recognized her. She was right next to the pier (and I was only a few yards away) My good friend Justine and her daughter were also nearby looking for Carly. I went flying on the bike to the spot and the lady showed me where Carly had gone into the woods.
The lady asked if I wanted some beef jerky to help lure Carly. "yes, that would be great". We talked for a minute as she told me exactly where she saw her. I turned around and Carly peeked her head out of the woods.
SHE HEARD ME. I called her over and she acted very scared. She didn't want to come so I held up the beef jerky and she smelled it. She finally realized who I was and came running. Justine and Francesca were not far behind with a big bowl of dog food. I clicked on her leash and broke down in tears!
Poor Carly was covered in burrs and stickers and exhausted. But we found her!! It was such a happy day!
I took her home and out to the back yard (she was too filthy to even be in the house) where I began to remove the burrs.
She was so tired she literally fell asleep while I was pulling stickers out. I felt so bad for her I just let her sleep for a little bit.
She got a bath and many more hours of sticker removal, then fell back asleep.
She slept for 2 days straight!
Thomas was so happy to have her home...and I immediately wrote the other boys a letter so they would know Carly was home safe. Phew!
After Carly got back, I was able to breathe. And shift my worrying to the boys at camp! Ha ha. Not really though. I knew they were having a blast. I got this awesome card from Charles from camp.
Saturday came quickly and we were off to pick them up. They did indeed have a great time.
And they were both SO happy to see Carly when they got home. The VERY next day all three boys and Steve left for Montana.
Thank goodness for great friends, friendly strangers, perseverance, signs, Facebook and beef jerky!
