Sometimes living in the country with two sighthounds isn't really the best case scenario.
It's frosty out there tonight so in a fit of pique I decided to go out and cover up all my frost tender plants in case they expire from the cold.
Me being the generous mother that I am, also took the puppies out so they could get a drink and have a bit of a pee.
I guess I should really know better, considering it's late at night, the moon is out and they're out for a bit of excitement.
Perhaps the first indication was that they started bouncing around and playing chasies.
Meanwhile I'm too busy putting the covers over the plants to truly keep an eye on them. Rather, just looking up every once in a while to check where they're at.
Next thing I hear is the thundering sound that are my wolfie's paws hitting the ground as they chase after some roo.
Panic ensues as I hear them crashing off into the night interspersed with some wheezing from Fred.
Since I've got a super powerful torch I decide to set out calling for them. I find that if I do it soon enough often they'll both realise they can't catch their prey and end up just roaming around for a while.
The best I can do is try and guesstimate where they've gone and start calling for them.
I know I really should know better than to let them out at night only half supervised. And I really was testing my luck on a moonlit night. But we all make mistakes.
I'm just proud that after ten minutes despite the silence the puppies heard me and ran back.
Fred was first. He was *soooo* loud as he crashed through the trees. Elsie came a little later.
But at least both bounded towards me. And I must say the minute Fred came I immediately latched onto his collar. He was still a bit bouncy from his run and I could tell that if I didn't check him fast he was going to find the trail of another animal and he'd be off again.
I'm just so relieved that they returned. I'd like to think that the little bit of recall training I've done with them is working. Although perhaps (more likely) I was simply very lucky to cotton on fast and start following.
As is the case, where I thought they'd be was exactly the opposite of where they went. All I know is one minute both puppies were busy sniffing around the house and next thing you know all you hear is thundering wolfie paws. *shakes head*
So what kind of recall training have I been doing? Not much really. I was at the neighbours the other day and they showed me some techniques they were working on.
Basically go on a walk with the pups off lead. Load yourself with treats and keep calling them whenever they wander too far from you. Eventually they'll hang around you in the hope of treats.
I almost wish I had the hugest most juiciest bone when Fred bounded up to me. For a little while there I was resigned to sleeping on the couch tonight to wait for the puppies to give up their adventure and come home.
The next best thing I could was pat him and praise him loudly telling him what a great boy he is.
They are now both exhausted lying next to the coffee table far away from me. Well, too far for me to be both typing and giving them gratituitous back/tummy rubs.
I guess they're rather thrilled at the midnight adventure. Pity the same couldn't be said for me!
