Baxter's Big Adventure = A Stressful Night for the Ellis Family

Last night was awful...awful is truly an understatement. For those of you who know me, you know I am a HUGE animal lover. Prior to having Trenton, I would definitely say I was much more attached to my dogs than anything else. I love and hate this about myself. I love it because I always had a dog growing up - something that my father secretly wanted, but Mom was not always in agreement; however, she would let her little girl have one. I hate it because it can really hurt me when something happens and I try to make every stray dog mine. When I do this Wes says, "if that dog is walking down this street when we come back this way (on the way home) then you can have it." He knows it will not be there.

Recently we got Bandit - a rescue that Wes wanted to keep. I thought it would be good for Baxter, he would have a friend and it would help keep him exercised and happy. Well, I don't know what happened yesterday, but something sure did make Baxter change.

I had to work later than normal last night, and Wes had to run an errand after work. When I got home I went to let the dogs in and there was NO BAXTER!!!!!!!

I screamed. I screamed his name, I screamed a bad word, I called my husband...completely sobbing. Animal control had closed, Baxter was not in the yard. I was devestated. Baxter can jump our 6ft privacy fence...neat trick, but not a good idea.

Wes comes home and I get in my car and just ride around screaming his name, talking to anyone that is outside. I go to the river, I go to the park, I go to the woods, I go to my Granny's house (we walk baxter there a lot). I call my Dad. I hear it in Dad's voice - he is a touch worried, but he knows Baxter will come home. He says we will check in after a few hours. Baxter will find his way home.

Meanwhile, Wes makes posters, goes out to look, does the same routine I had just done. I keep thinking that Wes will pull in the drive way with Baxter's head poking out the window...he doesn't. I put it on Facebook, friends call to help search, friends re-post it on Facebook...it is a community effort.

I start fearing the worse. The sun is going down...I go back out. I can't just sit. Well, about this time NA Public Safety comes down our street 2 times. I find that weird, but just keep going. Well, while doing my rounds, I meet our neighbors...the ones that previously called animal control on Baxter - Jimmy and Tina. Jimmy, being an avid smoker, is able to tell me that he didn't see Baxter, but saw another dog that went to our front porch. He tried to knock on our door, but naturally, we weren't there. I knew it was another dog because this was 9:30 AM. The last sighting was at 1:30 PM when Wes came to check on him.

Jimmy, the pulse of Hammond Drive, tells me that NA Public Safety was responding to a call regarding something, not someone...he said to call them and ask. So, I start walking down to the house where the police responded - about 4 doors down. Meanwhile, my sweet Uncle Hal and Aunt Donna had called and offered to help look. I told them it was okay, but there was Hal, circling the neighborhood and trying to find Baxter. So sweet. Well, NA Public Safety tells me that it was a smoke alarm...really, fine. He tells me to call animal control and leave a message.

I have left a message - actually 2 at this point. Baxter is missing NOW! If animal control had him, they should have called! He has 2 tags and one has his name and my number on it. Wes and I just sit in the den and stare out the window - anticipating his return. I am thinking the worse. Around 11:30 we go upstairs to bed...that just starts me crying worse. Baxter sleeps with us! I don't know what to do with the extra room in the bed. I want him home.

We take turns sleeping - at least that what it feels like. Neither of us had a deep sleep, we were listening for that bark at the door. Following the suggestion of one of my FB friends, I put a blanket on our porch that smells like me - she said it helps him follow the scent home. I am hopeful it will work.

Around 4:30 I am wide awake. I sit in bed for a while and just think about Baxter. Finally, around 5:15 I decide enough is enough. I go get my keys to get in the car. As I open the garage door, I hear a jingle...could it be?!?

Baxter comes darting in the garage from the front porch...where the blanket was and I am thrilled! I cry, I run inside and scream for Wes. Wes comes running and he cries. We are so excited. Baxter, he is glad to be home, but TIRED. Baxter is a little stinky, wet, and his eyes are bloodshot. He eats 2 bowls of food, says his hellos and lies in bed.

He gets up only when I go to get Trenton. We walk into Trenton's room and Trenton looks through the crib and screams, "CRACKER!" He can't say Baxter. Trenton is thrilled too! So thrilled that he gives Baxter half of his french toast.

Needless to say, Baxter stayed inside today. Bandit is outside. Bandit has to be outside because he likes to chew things....and by things I mean EVERYTHING!

I called animal control this morning and left another message that Baxter was found and safe. I also apologized for being so frantic during the first 2 calls.

Oh, and Jimmy wants our numbers and to get to know Baxter so Baxter isn't afraid of him and comes when he calls him. All in all, they are nice people. They feed every stray cat on Hammond Drive and own about 5 cats, but at least they showed genuine concern for my Baxter.

Thank you for all the support, care, and prayers while we looked for Baxter. I am glad he is home safely and he is probably asleep at home. He was exhausted! I will always wonder what he did, where he went, but I do know that he will NOT be staying in the back yard EVER again!