Congratulations, It's a DOG!

I will stop short of passing out cigars with the title printed on them. But there are some updates on our new dog Scarlett. You may recall that we adopted her from a policewoman who had to keep Scarlett closed up in a kennel in her apartment up to 10 hours while she was at work. And that Scarlett was put on a lead in the side yard until she learned that she belonged here. Also, that Hick almost decapitated poor Scarlett when her lead got caught around the Gator axle.

Anyhoo, after three false starts at letting Scarlett free, and three subsequent rescues by Hick when neighbors called to report her sitting on their porch, we kept her back on the lead. When Hick was outside working, he'd let her go. But then tether her again when he came inside.

Last Sunday, Hick gave it another try. He let Scarlett loose around 2:00 when he got home from his SUS2 (Storage Unit Store 2). He had planned to tie her up again overnight, but didn't want to go back outside. Scarlett was roaming around the porch. We were due for a light rain overnight. I was concerned that she would get lost again, but on Monday morning, she came to greet Hick when he went out to feed her and Jack. Since she had stayed around all night, Hick left her loose.

I could see Scarlett walk around the porch. Every now and then, I opened the door to pet her and Jack. Last I saw of her was 11:30, in the middle of Deal or No Deal reruns. When Hick came home at 2:30, Scarlett was gone. Of course we hoped she was just exploring, and would return, like when Hick worked outside, and saw her leave and come back.

Scarlett was still gone when I left for town at 4:00. Still gone when I came home at 5:00. By 6:00, we had sort of given up hope. Hick had been constantly checking Facebook to see if any of our denizens were reporting a strange dog. Nope.

"Well, I don't know what to do. We tried. We gave her every chance to have a nice life. Better than living in a cage. All she had to do was stick around. Food every day. Freedom from a crate. It's almost like she felt more secure while being tied up. Maybe that's all she ever knew. Freedom was too much for her. At least we have the gravel roads. So she probably won't get run over while roaming. I'm betting that somebody sees, her, and takes her in their house and keeps her. She's a pretty dog. And friendly."

"Yeah. I bet somebody takes her. And she may be happy inside."

"She's got a collar, but there's no ID on it. Besides, dog thieves don't care about a collar. But once they see how hyper she is, they might regret what they've done!"

"I woulda thought she could have figured out she belongs here by now."

We were sad. But at least didn't feel like Scarlett was in danger. Wherever she was.

At 6:30, after supper, I opened the back door to some leftover onion slices off the back porch. Scarlett came trotting around the corner of the kitchen windows, followed by Jack.

What in the Not-Heaven? She acted like it was perfectly normal to disappear for six or seven hours. I was certainly glad to see her. Gave her a good petting, and half a slice of bread as a treat. She has stayed home all week. 

Now Scarlett lies on the porch and doesn't pace. She does not run in the house as long as we say NO when we open the door. She doesn't jump up, but sits down at the first NO when she looks like she's planning to jump. 

For the last two days, Scarlett has come out to the back of the garage, barking, when I come down the driveway. She runs in the garage when I open the door, and waits for me to get out of T-Hoe. She doesn't jump in as long as I say NO when she looks tempted. She looks expectantly for her treat when I go in the house without closing the door all the way.

Scarlett has been coming around from the front porch with Jack when I leave for town. Running beside him, like they might be together. Not simply coexisting in the same space. She has a doggie smile on her face. Like she's happy. 

Sunday evening, Hick opened the front door to see if she was on the porch, and reported:

"Now Scarlett is humping Jack!"

I think Scarlett has finally realized that she's a DOG.