RESCUE ME!

I knew it the moment we walked out the door.  I could smell it.  Someone was here, right here, right by my house!   This way, this way, Mom....noooo, you're pulling me the wrong way.  Here comes a car!  The lady in the car is talking to Mom.  Dad is here, too. 

Hey, you guys, there he is!   He's right here!   Hello!  Are you lost?  What's up?  Mom is acting weird.  Another car is here and the door is open.  Hey, they want you to get in the......why are you running?  Mom hands my leash over to Dad. 

Dad takes me inside and gets some bits of chicken out of the fridge.  I'd like some chicken.
Then we go back outside.  Mom is running around with a lady  now and they are both yelling "Bandit!"  Mom is yelling "Come here!"  I know what THAT means.  So I start yelling, too!  Come here, Bandit!  I'm over here!  Dad gives the chicken bits to Mom.  I'd like some chicken.

Over here, Bandit!  Let's rub noses again!  I think Bandit was tired because he finally sat down when Mom told him to.  Mom kept talking to him and so did I.  Then the other lady came up behind him and slipped a leash over his head.  Then Mom gave Bandit a piece of chicken.  I'd like some chicken......

Then the lady and Mom walked Bandit home.  He lives just around the corner!  Dad and I watched.  Whew!  Bandit went inside.  Safe home again.

We were going out for his regular walk, but Harry was hot on the trail of a scent.  As a car drew up, I recognized the local dog walking lady.  She was looking for a neighbor's dog, Bandit, who had slipped out of his collar and was running all over the place.  By happenstance, I knew that Bandit was a Border Collie and I had a pretty good idea of where he lived.  We were all concerned that he would run outside of the community where some large tractor trailer trucks are often around.

At the same time, Bandit himself appeared and approached Harry.  They rubbed noses.  I reached for his collar, but he didn't have one on.  Then Bandit took off again.

I told my husband to go inside and get some grilled chicken bits I knew we had on hand.  Perhaps I could bribe Bandit with that.  The dog walking lady removed her belt to use as an ad hoc leash.  I used my "command" voice to tell Bandit to come and to sit.  He did, at last, but I think it was out of sheer exhaustion.  I continued to keep his attention with Harry's help while the dog walker snuck up behind him and quickly slipped the belt over his head.  Then Bandit walked like a perfect angel back to his house, just a couple of blocks away.  Harry watched as Bandit was returned safely to his home.
Success!