large dog at large

yesterday, ernestine had his first taste of freedom since he was 9 weeks old. for a reference, he is 5 1/2 years old.

we were wandering around out in the yard on the leash, getting ready for him to do his stinkystuff, when forwhatever reason, the ring on his headcollar (gentle leader... we're fans!) caught the latch to the leash and he was liberated. we stood there looking at each other for 30 seconds trying to grasp what happened. i bolted for the back gate to close it (the yard DOES have a fence, however it's in many ways "notional" and it is likely to be knocked over with dirty looks and harsh language. and ernie has jumped over it before when he saw a cat. hence the leash.) he bolted for the front gate and hit the streets.

on my way to the front gate, i handily closed the side gate that goes to the neighbor's yard. i made it to the front gate, and saw him halfway up the street. knowing that if i were to approach him he'd keep running, i let him see me and turned around and ran toward the yard again. so, he ran into the yard, i shut the gate, and ran down the side of the house opened the door to the house and got him inside.

it took all of about 120 seconds, but it scared the crap out of me. my dog is a spaz. he's funny and sweet and snuggly and ridiculous. and he hates kids and dogs and cats and strangers. so, since he's never been at-large before, i have no idea how he will actually react if he gets next to kids or dogs or cats or strangers...

i'm glad he's home, he wasn't hurt or lost, and that no one else was hurt or lost...

i pretty much decided it was oh-beer-thiry when we got inside.

then i went to mara's and we watched the incredibles, which was so much fun!