Dog Journal 24 - Tied Together

My friend has always tied himself to me whenever we go outside like we're going to get separated or something. This has annoyed me at times, especially when I need to chase a squirrel or I want to go sniff something in the bushes. He's always tugging me back, holding me close so I can't do what I want. I'm a big girl now, why can't I just do my stuff on my own?

Well, today I found out why he ties himself to me with the leash. We were walking along the way and I saw the squirrel I had to chase. So I did. I ran as fast as I could and chased that smelly squirrel all the way back to his tree. And then I barked at him and he chittered at me and we argued about nothing for a while. And then it hit me. It was this sudden feeling of dread that I was all alone.

I looked around to see where my friend was, but he was nowhere to be found. I sniffed around, but all this was unfamiliar area. I didn't recognize any of the bushes or the houses or trees. I was lost! I can't believe my friend didn't follow me like he's supposed to do. I still have the leash with me, so where did he go?

That's when the peoples of the house came outside to yell at me. Or they could have been yelling at the squirrel, either way, I was scared. Not only was I alone, but things seemed to be getting dangerous too. I tried to sniff my way back, but I couldn't find my own trail.

Then a big car whizzed down the road, roaring as it blew past me. I might have barked at them to slow down or something, but not today. This is turning out to be the type of adventure I don't want to have. And the worst part is that it's not even over yet. I have no idea where my home is so I can't even go back.

The only things I remember were the rock that I had to jump over and the post that I spun around at. Everything else was just a blur. And there's not a single clue to sniff as to which direction I need to go to find my friend.

I sat down next to the only rock I could find and waited and listened. In the distance, i could hear my friend calling for me. From where though. The sounds seemed to echo all around me, mixing in with other strange noises. I had to tune my ears to his voice, searching with the good old radar technique until I figured out where he was calling from.

I raced back down the pathways, passing a rock and a post and finally spotted my buddy. He was running towards me, apparently not quite as quick as I can. But at least now I know why he keeps us tied together. It's so he doesn't get lost again. I don't know what I'd do without my buddy, so it is a good idea to keep him close next time.