We had a massive storm here a few days ago and some gum tree branches had fallen, so I thought, they will be great for my aviary. So I was coming home from helping my sister, and I got her to drop me off in front of this massive branch and I would drag it home. My sister and her boys were not overly keen on the idea of me dragging this massive branch as they thought I would hurt my easily damaged back, but I said I would be alright.

 

So anyway, I dragged the branch home, using my shoulder to sit the branch on at one end and simply dragged the rest. Probably about 500 metres, so a big effort. I got the branch home, and decided to cut it up, outside my place. I thought "I'll just drop the branch here". I lifted it off my shoulder and went to drop it and went bang, and the bit where the branch had snapped hit my head. It cut my head and blood starting pouring out. Great - way to go - idiot!!!! So I came inside and cleaned that up. No stitches needed, but a lot of blood.

 

Now to cut up the branches. To get to the saw, I needed to move a table that would stop my garage door from closing fully when it is closed by the remote control. No problem, I will just have to be careful not to let the dogs escape.

 

So I move the table, get the saw and cut up the branches.

 

How am I going to get my branches inside to the aviary? I decide not to move the car (only entry to the yard is through sliding doors at the back of the garage), inside floor needs a vacuum anyway, so I will take them through the house. No problem.

 

I dragged 3 inside after me, moving the barrier that stopped the dogs running out, and the dogs run in front of me. I drag them out into the back yard and proceed to hose the branches down. Tess, my youngest dog, has by this stage, run back inside as she is scared of the hose. I turn the hose off and hear a beeping sound. What is that? Oh no, the garage door cannot go down as the table is in the way. Tess was inside, she has got out. I run for the garage, pulling a door closed behind me down to stop Mac, my other dog (avatar) from charging out after me and Tess, and drop down to the ground, climb under the door, and run down the street looking for Tess. No sign of her. I run around to the park, calling out her name. No sign of her. I see another woman with a dog and asked her if she has seen another little dog running around, explain what Tess is like, and ask her to grab her if she sees her.

 

I think, "she could have been gone for 10 minutes". I run back to my house, thinking I need my car to drive around and look for her. I drag the other branches out of the way, phsycially lift the garage door to enable the automatic garage door opener to re-engage, the door goes up, I run inside to get my phone, and there is Mac and TESS, staring up at me, wondering what the *** I am doing and why I am causing such a commotion? My heart almost skipped a beat. She did not run outside, she was never out of the house. Phew!!!!

 

What an ordeal!!! Tess was safe, so I got the rest of the branches, put them in the aviary, and came inside, greatly relieved.

 

Mac and Tess

 

Tess

 

Mac

 

In case you are wondering, I will put new pics up in this thread

 

Wattle Flights thread

The things we do for our birds hey! Beautiful doggies by the way!

Oh my What a day!!!

 

I hope all is well now and you didn't hurt your back.

 

So pleased she hadn't ran off - it gets so scary when you think they have gone forever

are your dogs sky terriers ? cairn terriers?

they are beautiful ,sounds like you need a frount fence ,lol i can just picture all the traumer unfolding ..must have made you feel sick thinking you had lost one your babys

I have a dog that bolts too if she thinks I'm not watchng so I feel your pain, luckily forme she loves the lady around the corner and I've worked out that I'm almost guaranteed to find her sitting on her front porch

What excitement !!! Good thing you didnt hurt your back Dave...thats what happened to cancel your last holiday over here :tut_tut:

okay, the back is fine, no problems. No more talk about it, scared of jinxing it - LOL.

 

There are three doors to get through for tess to get out. unfortuantely, two were open, and the third, the garage door, coudl not close as was jammed open. But bring the well trained dog she is, she did not go out there - absolute miracle.

 

I once tested the dogs to see what they would do if they ever got out. One Sunday morning at about 7am I let them out and attempted to call them back. Mac went about 20 minutes then came back. Tess ran out of the townhouses where I live, about 50-100 metres, and I was worried, then she realised she could not see me and so she came running back. When i used to take them for walks thru some bushland, they would both be off the lead, and tess used to run ahead, but when she could not see me she would run back. No probs there as there was no traffic. Not willing to try it again around the suburbs

okay, the back is fine, no problems. No more talk about it, scared of jinxing it - LOL.

 

There are three doors to get through for tess to get out. unfortuantely, two were open, and the third, the garage door, coudl not close as was jammed open. But bring the well trained dog she is, she did not go out there - absolute miracle.

 

I once tested the dogs to see what they would do if they ever got out. One Sunday morning at about 7am I let them out and attempted to call them back. Mac went about 20 minutes then came back. Tess ran out of the townhouses where I live, about 50-100 metres, and I was worried, then she realised she could not see me and so she came running back. When i used to take them for walks thru some bushland, they would both be off the lead, and tess used to run ahead, but when she could not see me she would run back. No probs there as there was no traffic. Not willing to try it again around the suburbs

 

doesnt matter how well trained your dog its never worth the risk .....to many people i know lost their beloved mates by not having them safe on leashes ....same word out of each mouth i dont know what happened he /she never ran off before they always stoped when i said ....well not exact but you know what i mean....

so good call dave built up anywhere is not safe ...glad all worked out well

they are cairn terriers by the way. Like toto in the wizard of Oz

they are cairn terriers by the way. Like toto in the wizard of Oz

 

thought so but was not possitive on that as sky terrias simuler just longer in the body

they are beautiful

i always wanted one but ended up with a pound puppy

she is a great companion as are most animals