Confession time: We accidentally left Frankie outside overnight. Okay, before anyone calls Pet Protective Services—if there is such a department, let me explain. We decided to turn in early. My husband went straight to our bedroom and I made a pit stop to turn on the dishwasher. It didn’t seem strange to us that Frankie was not with us. In the warmer weather, Frankie foregoes sleeping in our room and instead chooses to spend the night on the tile floor in the wet bar or the hardwood floor in the living room.
Let me also stress that we don’t think Frankie minded. The night of her camp out was beautiful. There was a constant, soft breeze. I heard the wind chimes play their relaxing song over and over. There is a covered porch outside with rugs, dog bowls filled with fresh water and furniture big enough to hold a 90-pound pup. She was not suffering, AND I HEARD NO BARKING.
Fast forward to 6 AM the next morning. I opened my eyes to LuLu doing her morning prance which means, “Let me go out and piddle so I can get my Dentastyx.” LuLu has an addiction to Dentastyx. If she weren’t getting on in years, I might send her to Rover Rehab, but she has so few interests anymore, so I let it be. I called to Frankie to go out too, and I assumed I would hear the drumming sound of her big paws bounding down the steps, but nothing. When I opened the back door, I knew why. There was Frankie staring back at me.
“What the F&^% are you doing out there?” Before caffeine, I have no care about my language. Shocked that she offered no response, I tore upstairs screaming, “Did you let Frankie out this morning? Why is she outside?”
“Are you sure it’s Frankie?”
Those were my husband’s words. In his defense, he is an extremely smart engineer, but he had no caffeine at this point either, so I can’t fault him for asking that dumb question.
“What the hell does that mean? (Okay, I faulted him a little) Does Frankie have a twin who lives in our yard? OF COURSE IT’S OUR DOG.”
Then the realization set in that we were bad pooch parents; we left our dog outside. The guilt feelings began to swell into the pit of my stomach and then they ascended to my ears and into my head and I became nauseated with self-disgust.
“She doesn’t look like she’s upset; in fact, she seems pretty content,” my husband consoled me while trying to assuage his own guilt. To be honest, if I could have pinned the entire blame for this situation on him, I would have, but alas, it was my fault. I was the last one downstairs. I was the one who should have done the doggie head count.
I think Frankie sensed my guilt all day. At random times, I would look over to her and she would tilt her head and look confused as if she were saying, “Why, Mommy? Why did you forget me?” Or she would put her head on my lap while I typed at my computer. I couldn’t shake the bad mommy feeling, so I decided to spend the day with the doggies and do some fun bonding things. We went to Pet Smart and got new toys; we took an extra long walk around the neighborhood; we went for a car ride that culminated in a Sonic run where I let them bark into the speaker. Finally, they got an extra brushing, and then I showed both of them where I hide the extra key to the house—you know in case they ever need it. They had a good day.
Am I over my guilt? I am getting there. But now, before we settle in for the night, I take roll call. Frankie did seem to enjoy herself out there, so I think the next time we get another weather perfect night, I might make all of us sleep outside. Maybe Frankie can show us what we missed.
PS This is not a picture from the night in question. This is the next day and LuLu photobombed the shot.
Just give him another Dentastick, those things are addictive as hell. Also, they taste pretty darned good.
I’ve heard.
Uh-oh. Here’s where I admit that many of our dogs actually lived outside! And had the matted coats to prove it! 🙂
“Are you sure it’s frankie?” hahahahahahhaha.
i’ve done worse.
Maybe Frankie would have appreciated a coffee too!
‘Are you sure it’s Frankie?” yep, that made me spit my coffee as I read!
Don’t sweat it. You gave that dog the best night of his life! I know this, because every time our dog gets out and takes off on one of his dog’s-night-out adventures, he comes back exhausted, stinky, and extremely happy.
Gotta wonder what they do on their own! Ask your dog and report back?
Based on the clues, I’d say sniff, dig, roll around in smelly things, run like crazy, eat leftover garbage from the Chinese restaurant, and plot with his friends to perfect the perpetual petting person.
OMG! Poor Frankie! Then again, he may not have minded it if he prefers to sleep on tile floor instead of in your bed. Please tell me you made it up to him with lots of treats and a long walk…preferrably at a track INDOORS.
Francesca or Frankie(ha ha) made out just fine. Sonic, walk, new toys and lots of pets. She milked it and I think she had a grand time. She tried to stay out the next night but I didn’t forget to call her in.
“Rover Rehab” HAHAHA!!!! I love this, Donna! Oh man, I would just die if I left one of my pugs outside…..now I’m paranoid and need to do a roll call myself every night especially if wine is involved….
Yes, if I can forget about a 90-lb moose, a pug can really go unnoticed.
The sad looks and the head in the lap do it every time. Frankie was playing this situation for all it was worth.
And we dare call them “dumb” animals!
😉
No,they usually have the upper hand on humans
They probably both enjoyed the results of your guilt!
Yes, it was a scam I think now!
Reasonably sure I retweeted. Technology baffles.
It baffles me too.
“Are you sure it’s Frankie?”
What can I say, he had not had caffeine!
Now Frankie’s gonna want a fire pit and a pitcher of margaritas!
well, guess who gets to hang out and camp with her? Come on over!
I agree that this is probably a Pet Smart scam at work. Ha.
ooh, I smell conspiracy!
Haha, this is great! I did the same thing to our poor Siamese cat one night…he wound up coming home in a neighbour’s arms, as he’d parked himself in a tree outside their bedroom window and serenaded them. All. Night. Long.
So, yeah. Pet-owner’s guilt. It’s a sad thing.
It is sad. I pretty much thought I would be the subject of a Most Wanted poster that hung in every vet’s office throughout the country.
Are you sure this wasn’t all a set up? I mean, sounds to me like Frankie made out pretty good. Pet Smart and anything. If it starts happening on a regular basis I submit the little sneak let herself out. Playin’ you dood!
She is smart enough to think this through. I will do some investigating. Thanks Phee!
They are working you big time! Smart dogs! My dog gives me abused look if I try to poison her with anything but canned food.
Thanks Kymberly,
I think she really did want me to feel guilty. I guess she figured out she can get lots of things if Mom felt bad. Thanks for stopping by and reading!