This morning my worst nightmare came true.
Togo has never been outside our compound unleashed, and we have always dreaded to think what might happen if he did manage to run out when the gate is opened.
This morning, as our nephews let themselves out, Togo squeezed past their legs and ran out.
My heart stopped, but my brain kicked in hard. Think! Togo will not come in when called, especially not when he's outside with the thousand and one smells to explore. Togo can outrun all of us, and it's no use trying to chase him - Togo will panic and if he runs down to the nearby main road he's as good as gone with all that morning traffic.
I rushed to grab a bag of treats, but when I went out I couldn't see him. Then a car drove slowly by and there he is... running along the front wheel... and there he is.. not there anymore... then the car braked suddenly... and Togo shot out at the other side. THANK GOD that car stopped. God bless you, driver.
Togo went sniffing round and round the neighbors cars, while I tried to lure him to within a catching distance. I almost succeeded once, but a hasty grab resulted in him bolting out of my grasp and sending me sprawling, scraping my knee. Togo is so much stronger than me, I really got to win this with brains.
He sniffed his way into an angle, and we trapped him by slowly advancing on him from both sides. With nowhere to go and a bag of treats in his face, Togo calmed down enough to 'Sit' for his treat. Which gave me the enough time to catch him in a proper hold, and carry the wriggling furball home.
As with all defining moments, you don't really feel emotions until after the fact. Once safely inside our compound, clutching our beloved tyrant, the horror came in waves. That image of Togo running at the car's wheel is stuck on replay. The what-ifs spawned horrifically - what if Togo was run over, what if Togo broke a leg, what if Togo ran up far and fast, what if Togo ran down into heavy traffic, what if Togo is badly hurt, what if Togo is no more..
I hugged Togo so so hard he squeaked. Thank god he's all right.