#Should I add the tag Susan Woodings?

[screwpinecaprice]

This rabbit is god damn hungry

[valeptraglia]

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Battle of Calormen

All rights to C. S. Lewis

Chapter 1: "Again?"

It was a cold and raining, typical autumnal day in Finchley. In a comfortable couch sat a young man with many books around him, a soft light illuminated his handsome face, and blond locks fell over his blue eyes.

His name was Peter Pevensie, also known as High King Peter the Magnificent, but that was a long time ago, when he and his siblings, Susan, Lucy and Edmund, had found themselves in a completely different world, called Narnia, where they ruled for fifteen years as monarchs. They had entered Narnia through a wardrobe in an old house of a certain Professor Kirke, when they spent some months there in the war time.

Now Peter was sitting in the studio at their parents house, the family had gathered for a family weekend after the news that his sister Susan was dating a guy called Robert, apparently it was a very serious relationship. He decided to take the opportunity to look in the library some books he was sure would come in hand for his research.

As he was picking up a book to look further into the cover of it suddenly the door of the room opened and a tall, dark haired young man came in talking loudly followed by a young woman, a little shorter with chestnut curls bouncing on her back. King Edmund The Just and Queen Lucy The Valiant.

They were talking animatedly and plopped down on the couch besides him dropping in the process some books to the floor. Peter sighed and put down the book on his hand, realising that he wouldn't get much done with those two in the same room.

"Fancy a chess game?" asked Edmund to Peter.

"I'll win this time" answer Peter with a determined look on his face.

"Yes sure, maybe someday, don't lose hope" retorted Edmund with a wink earning a pillow to his face.

Lucy laughed as a tall and gracious young woman enter the room rolling her eyes at the display in front of her. Susan The Gentle, sat on an armchair across from her siblings.

Mr. and Mrs. Pevensie were out picking some groceries so they spent the next hour in comfortable silence.. The two brothers decided to take the chess game to the floor in front of the fireplace, while Lucy sprawled on the couch looking out the window and occasionally throwing some witty remarks and snickering at the boys. Susan sat silently on the armchair reading a magazine shaking her head and trying to hide the smile that tugged at her lips when her elder brother threw a fit each and every time Edmund won the game.

These four people sitting in the room were no longer the children that had come into Narnia all those years ago, neither they were the grown ups that stood on the woods of Narnia after fifteen long years of reign. They were in the middle now. Strange thing time. They had grown up as monarchs in Narnia, they ruled for many years, they were adults, yet as they came out of the wardrobe they were children again, and not a minute had passed in this world. It was hard, being children again, and be treated like it, beginning again, it was really hard. They all had an old spirit.

To grow up again, in Finchley, was challenging, although pretty normal life there.

The hour went by and Peter let himself fall to the floor with a growl.

"You are a sore loser, you know? One would think that after all this time you'd be used to losing, apparently not." said Edmund with smirk plastered on his face.

"Shut up" said Peter lifting his head from the ground just an inch to throw his brother a nasty look.

Susan, who was long finished with her magazine, stood up with a yawn. "Well I could use a cup of tea" she said smoothing her skirt "Anyone?" she asked looking up to her siblings.

"Sounds nice" agreed Peter standing up too. "I'll help you. You two want some tea?"

Edmund and Lucy nod their heads. As the last two were left alone in the room Edmund looked at Lucy, studying her face quitely. She was looking out the window intently.

"What?" she asked with a knowing smile on her face, her eyes never leaving the window,

Edmund laughed. "You are oddly quiet today little sister. What's on your mind?"

She shrugged her shoulders, "I guess I am feeling nostalgic. All of us together, it's been quite some time, you know?"

"Aaaaaawwwwwwww" said Edmund with a mocking face getting up from his spot on the floor and giving her sister a big bear hug "you've missed me! I knew it!" and he started tickling her sides.

"Stop it! Get off me you fool!" she exclaimed laughing and trying to push his brother away.

Edmund sat beside her on the couch laughing soundly, and soon Peter came in carrying a tray with Susan on his heels.

They sipped their tea chatting, Susan was telling them about the numerous parties she had been invited, apparently her social life was very active,she was trying to convince Lucy to tag along to a party the next week with her and Robert, now considered to be old enough to assist, so they could introduce her to interesting personalities. Lucy was throwing excuses all over the place to not go and both brothers share a glance and smiled quickly covering it with the cup of tea.

Susan was not convinced with her excuses but let go the subject, and Lucy took the chance quickly to asked Peter about his studies before Susan could keep talking about parties.

Suddenly Susan dropped her cup spilling tea all over the floor startling everybody. She was looking behind Edmund and Lucy, straight out the window, her face pale.

Quickly Edmund turned around while Lucy looked at her sister with concern "Susan? Are you alright?" she asked.

"Pete, come see this" Edmund had an amused look on his face, the corner of his lips starting to form a smile.

As Peter moved closely to the window leaning over the couch and screwed his eyes to see through the pouring rain outside "Oh my…"

Soon enough Lucy was hanging from the back of the couch watching out the window too, mouth slightly open in amazement.

Outside where they should be looking at the front yard, the street and some of the houses on the other side of the street, was standing a full forest.

"Do you think…" started asking Edmund but was cut off by Susan, who was still sitting on her armchair across from the window.

"No" she said shaking her head and standing up "it is nothing, the glass must be dirty. It can not be."

"Dirty?! Are you saying that dirty window is making us see a full forest where the front yard should be?!" exclaimed Edmund looking annoyingly at her.

"Shhhhhh!" she shushed him nervously looking around her as if someone could hear them.

"What are you so afraid of Susan?" asked Edmund starting to get angry at her.

"Stop it you two" said Peter with severe voice "Susan it is there don't deny it" he add looking at Susan who threw her hands over her head as if giving up and turned around facing the wall."What do we do?" asked Peter looking nervously at the forest.

"Let's get in! Of course!" said Lucy as if it was the most stupid question she had ever heard and she started to walked towards the door of the room but before she could go any further Susan grabbed her from the arm stopping her.

"We are not supposed to go back, he said we wouldn't go back" she said putting aside her hair out of her face.

"But it is here! Aslan wouldn't do this to us if he didn't want us back in Narnia!" Lucy said yanking away from her sister.

"She is right" intervened Edmund "I think we should get in and find out what's going on" he said firmly.

Soon all four of them were standing on the front door of the house. Peter had his hand on the door knob, unsure he looked back to his sibling, Lucy was nodding intently, Edmund was looking alert and Susan looked as if she was battling with herself. Slowly he turned the knob and opened the door.

In the other side the sun illuminated the branches of the trees and the smell of fresh grass could be smelt from where they were standing. He took a tempting step towards the forest and then stopped, he took a deep breath and went completely into the forest, Lucy followed with Edmund stick on her heels and finally Susan.

As soon as the four siblings stood on the forest they looked back and there was nothing left of the rainy Finchley. They could feel the warm weather, the sun passing through the trees, fresh air hit them in the face as they stood still looking at each other and started to form huge smiles on their faces, Susan's was a more insecure one and soon the smiles were replaced with loud laughter that seemed to resound in every corner of the forest.

When the laughter subsided Edmund asked "Now what?".

"Now… we walk" answered Peter shrugging his shoulders.

They started walking in the forest between the trees until they found a path and followed it. Maybe, with some luck they would come across someone in the way.

"It is very silent" observed Susan looking to the sides.

"The trees" said Lucy caressing a big willow. "Again? Is it possible?" she asked looking to her siblings.

"No" answered Edmund looking carefully around him "we are not still in Narnia" he said starting to walk again.

They kept walking for more than an hour in complete silence until they reach the end of the path and they found themselves being dragged again into the depths of the forest. Sometimes they had to stop and help the one who had got caught in the strong brunches of the trees, or the one who had tripped with a rock or a root.

"Look!" exclaimed Susan all of sudden.

And they all looked were she was pointing. Between the trees, a little far away from them a gang of centaurs passed galloping very fast to the south.

"Hey!"

"Wait!"

"Over here!"

But the centaurs continue galloping and they didn't listen to their shouts and calls.

"Come on!" said Edmund starting to run fast behind the centaurs.

"Edmund!" shouted Lucy behind him with Susan and Peter.

They run and shouted to the centaurs until they couldn't see them anymore and they couldn't hear their heavy hoofs against the forest's ground.

"They didn't even look back!" said Susan very irritated and exhausted.

"We should keep walking; maybe we find them farther on" advised Lucy taking her hand.

And so they did; they walked for a quarter of an hour until Susan stopped them again.

"Did you hear that?" she asked quietly.

"Now what?" said Edmund tiredly.

She shot him a nasty look and then the answer came to his ears. Rustling.

"The trees!" exclaimed Lucy excitedly.

That's when they realized the trees were moving slowly, like dancing in step with the wind. They were like whispering, talking to each other, the voices quietly reach the siblings ears but they couldn't really understand what they were saying.

As they were intently trying to catch what the trees were saying, they missed some forms moving between the trees until it was too late…

[notalwaysthevillian]

Brewing Love

Hello friends, and welcome to another AU.

Warnings: medicine mention, food mention, there’s a cat, let me know if there’s anything else!

Pairings: Remile; background Logicality & eventual Prinxiety

Word Count: ~1.3k

Based on this post by @teacupfulofstarshine! (Thank you so much for letting me write it, Star!)

Thank you to @onenightjoanly for looking this chapter over for me!

Next Chapter

Chapter 1

Setting the last stool on the counter, Remy took a step back. “You know, cuz, I was doubting this plan. But you’ve really pulled it off.”

Their new coffee shop looked great. The tan walls and the wooden floors worked well together. The Cozy Corner was full of pillows and bean bag chairs for anyone who’d need it. And, at Remy’s insistence, they had plenty of outlets.

It was perfect.

“We pulled it off.” Logan’s cheeks flushed pink. “I’d rather not admit it, but I needed the two of you to accomplish this.”

“Aww, Lo, that’s so sweet!” Patton pressed a kiss to Logan’s cheek, making his blush deepen.

Holding back a smirk at the nickname, Remy looked around. “Everything’s put up and clean. What time did you want me back here, Boss Man?”

Logan rolled his eyes. “Don’t call me that. And be here at 6.”

“So, 6:30? Gotcha.” With a wink at Patton, who giggled, Remy turned and headed out the door.

“No later than 6, Rem!”

Two minutes later, Remy was unlocking the door to his apartment. The second he walked in, Chai began winding around his legs, mewing.

“One second baby.”

Tossing his coat on the bench, he pulled her food out of the fridge, peeling away the lid. She plopped down in front of her food bowl, her tail swishing on the floor.

Remy scraped it into the food bowl with a spatula before gently rubbing her head. “There you go sweetie.”

Thankful that Logan had ordered them pizza earlier, Remy breezed through his nightly routine. When the clock hit 11, he popped his Ambien and threw the blankets over himself. Chai nudged the door open minutes later, jumping up and curling on her pillow.

“Goodnight, baby.”

The next morning, Remy groaned as his alarm went off, loud enough to scare Chai out of the room. He fumbled with his phone, sighing with relief as he managed to turn it off.

He stumbled into the shower, shivering as the icy water snapped him awake.

Once dressed, he fed Chai and grabbed a protein bar. Throwing on his bomber, he called out his goodbyes to her before heading out the door.

He walked into the shop at 6 on the dot, finding Logan and Patton already there.

“Wow, you’re on time for once?” Logan teased.

Remy raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got some flour on your cheek.”

Flushing a deep pink, Logan wiped it off. “I started the brews. Can you make sure the espresso machine has beans?”

Working in tandem, Logan and Remy opened the store. Every once in a while Patton would come out of the kitchen and put a pastry in the display case, as well as giving them compliments.

By the time it hit 7, they already had a few people waiting outside the door.

“Let ‘em in, Rem.”

Smiling brightly, Remy walked over and unlocked the door, throwing it open. “Welcome to Fuckoffee!”

“REMY!”

“FINE. You’re entering Get Roasted. If you want to be insulted, grab a mug on the left. If not, grab one on the right. See you at the counter, bitches.”

He held back a laugh as one of the older women gasped. “Is that how you treat your customers?”

“Hey, at least we’re giving you a choice. Would you rather we just insulted you right out the gate?”

The woman crossed her arms. “I think you should be more polite.”

“I think you shouldn’t tell me how to run my business.” Logan said as he walked up. He nudged Remy, who headed back behind the counter. “If you don’t like it, the door is right there, Helen.”

“It’s Susan.” She corrected.

A laugh left Logan’s mouth. “It’s all the same to me.”

With a huff, Susan turned and headed out the door. Logan turned to the small group mingling by the mugs. “Any of you have an issue?”

“No way! That was awesome!” One of them said, flashing him a smile. “I’m telling all of my friends about this place.”

“I don’t care what you do.” Logan deadpanned before heading into the kitchen, hiding a smile as he heard the group laugh.

Remy leaned on the counter, watching as one of the girls grabbed a black ‘insults’ mug and brought it up. “Whaddaya want?”

“A venti vanilla bean latte.”

“One basic white girl, coming up!” He called out.

He quickly made the drink before ringing her up. “4 dollars or no drink.”

“Is that with tax?” She asked, inserting her card into the machine.

A snort came out of Remy’s mouth. “You know that the neither of us don’t understand how tax works.”

Grabbing her drink, she threw $5 in the tip jar. “Thanks!”

The rest of the morning flew by, with a decent amount of people getting offended and leaving. Around one, they started to slow down, leaving Remy some time to clean the machines.

“Pardon me?”

Remy whirled around, an insult on his tongue. It died immediately when he saw the ‘polite white’ mug in the man’s hand.

A hand that was attached to an extremely attractive body. Who knew a cardigan could look so good?

“Hello there.” Remy said, sliding over to the counter. “What can I get you, handsome?”

Big brown eyes blinked back at him through a pair of glasses. “Why thank you! I’ll have a hot cocoa please. With soy milk if you could.”

“No problem! Coming right up.”

Remy made the drink at lightning speed, hoping to chat a little more with the clueless cutie. He handed it over with a flirty smile. “What brings you to our neck of the woods?”

“Oh, one of my patients came in this morning and told me all about this place!” He waved his hand in the air as he talked. “He told me that it was a breath of fresh air compared to most other coffee shops. It was the most I’ve ever gotten him to talk in a session, so I just had to come check this place out. The concept is extremely interesting. How did you come up with the idea?”

“It was mostly my cousin that thought of it. I’d told him that I was sick of seeing people bully their way into getting a free drink at my favorite coffee shops.” Remy stopped his story for a second to ring up another customer. He handed them their pastry before launching right back into it. “Logan had been wanting to run a business for a while, so he mentioned having a place where you could fire back at the customers. And if you’re the boss, you can’t get in trouble for it. So this place was born.”

The man placed his now empty mug down, the charms on his bracelet jingling. Remy’s eyes glanced over the charms, seeing ‘he/him’ written on them.

“I like your bracelet.”

“Oh, thanks.” The blush that crept up his face just made him look even cuter. “It helps my patients. They know whether it’s a he day or a she day or sometimes a they day.”

Seeing the tentative look in his eyes, Remy reached out, running his hands over the charms. “Don’t worry. We’re extremely LGBTQ friendly. Logan is gay, his boyfriend is pan, and I’m bi. If anyone cracks an offensive joke here, Logan’s policy is that they have one chance to fix it. It hasn’t happened yet, but he says that he’ll educate them and if they’re still rude, then they’re banned.”

“I’ll be telling all of my patients about this place then.” The man rose from his seat, grabbing his mug to put in the dish tray. “Thank you again!”

Remy watched him carefully set his mug in the tray before heading out the door.

It was only when he was serving the next customer that he realized he’d forgotten to get the man’s name.

Next Chapter

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[mariposalass]

Long Woolen Tripping Hazard (Scarf)

Summary: While raiding through the TARDIS closet to keep herself warm, Mari encounters a ridiculously long scarf of many colors, which gives the Doctor some deja vu from an incarnation years ago and he is trying to talk her out of bringing it with her outside.

Notes: Day 11 of @silentlyfangirlingselfshipper​’s A Very Shippy Christmas event has arrived, and scarves are the main theme. I decided to make a short story regarding about the time Mari raided through the TARDIS closet to find a scarf that could keep her warmer than her usual scarf. Also, tons of fluff and looking back at The Doctor’s past fashion choices. I will agree with Ryan Sinclair from the Whittaker era that the scarf could be a tripping hazard.

Tags: A Very Shippy Christmas, Space Grumps, fluff overload, tons of Doctor Who throwbacks and references, grandfather figure and granddaughter relationship, fashion talk, ‘what was my previous incarnation thinking!?!’

Hmm… Which one should I get from this closet? Mari pondered on the thought as she scanned across the enormous closet inside the TARDIS, looking for a warm cozy scarf to wear in a cold day which happened to be the day she was looking for one: the weather outside hasn’t been lightened up a bit with heavy snowfall. She knew that she needed to find a suitable scarf for her to wear or be freezing outside before coming across a section filled with scarves of different lengths, colors, materials, and styles. As she was going through the scarves, she noticed that there is one scarf that wasn’t like the other: while it’s made of wool like most of the scarves, this is long, maybe too long for any person to wear. The colors were dull but visible in red, green, chestnut brown, purple, and slate gray: it could easily be an eye sore to look for some people.

Taking it out from its resting spot, she could feel the soft texture the scarf gives off, but before she could anything with it, a familiar grouchy Scottish voice called out to her, “Now, now, young lady. I wouldn’t carry that scarf with me out in the woods these days if I were you.”

Shocked and surprised by the sudden arrival, Mari let out a soft yip as she turned around to see the Doctor right behind her, giving off quirky smirk look in the face. He noticed that she was holding onto the long scarf and began to wonder why would a girl who now fills the void left by Susan so many years ago tries to take that blasted thing with her out in the public.

“Oh, hey Doctor! Look, I didn’t mean to steal this thing...” Mari was mumbling between her words as she tried to explain herself and offered back the scarf to him as if she didn’t want to upset him.

The Doctor didn’t have anything much to say when he gently took the scarf from her and took a long look at it, it’s been years since he had worn it several incarnations back, before he got to talk to her again, “Well, what do we have here? I haven’t seen this scarf in such a long time. Why did you did decided to...”

“Borrow it for the day?” she could guess what he was about to tell, “Well, I thought about getting a different scarf than my usual one for a while, so I just went inside the TARDIS to find a good scarf to keep me warm.”

“Oh no no, that scarf is a bit of… a hazard unless you’re asking my fourth incarnation about it!” The Doctor tried to begged her otherwise, “Yes, quite warm and fuzzy, handy in finding your way back to the console room, stalling and outwitting villains, and hiding items for future use on the go, but not so much in avoiding tripping.”

“Huh, what are you talking about, Doctor?” Mari began to look more puzzled than the very first day they have met when he was in his 10th/11th self unintentionally dropping by at her elementary school’s playground.

“That scarf is way longer than I first remembered in my fourth incarnation,” he explained to her, “I’m aware you weren’t alive when I was a bumbling bohemian Time Lord, a bumbling bohemian with a poor sense of style and tombstone teeth, I’m afraid. Back then, I had made some very rubbish fashion choices.”

Mari was still confused by what the Doctor was talking as she asked him, “But I thought that your previous forms had made more fashionable choices as well, and you yourself as well.”

“Yes, Mari, it is true, but there are times wherein I do made some stupid decisions,” the Doctor added, “Such as why did I thought that a having a crazy explosion of colours was a good idea in my sixth iteration? Or what was I thinking with wearing a horribly fitted suit with sandshoes when I first met you? Quite rubbish choices I might add. Also, that bloody scarf. The length could trip you up if you’re not looking. Tripped on it a few times for a couple of times then. A tripping hazard regardless of what species you are, unless you’re a fish or a bird.”

“Geez, you’re really getting me scared!” she quivered in feat.

“I didn’t mean to scare you, dear,” he argued, “What I’m trying to say to you is that sometimes whatever fashion choices we made back when we were younger don’t always mean a fashion success. But then again this is coming from someone with the aforementioned perennial fashion problem. Be glad that your sparkly scarf is of the proper length to be worn outside. By the way, do you still have that scarf on hand?”

“Yes, I do, Doctor,” she replied back as she pulled a bright red scarf with silverly strands interwoven with the regular fabric, “You know what? You’re definitely right on one thing: You really HAVE a problem of finding the perfect style for yourself in the past incarnations and maybe in the future incarnations.”

“So, are you going to still borrow that THING?” The Doctor asked her again if she was still interested in borrowing his old long trip hazard of a scarf.

“Err… No thanks, Doctor! Besides, I didn’t want to trip on it as I’m walking and fall onto the ground with my face,” she finally changed her mind.

“Good decision, Mari dear,” he smiled back, “Glad that I’ve talked you out of it before something bad happens.”

“That’s definitely true,” she smiled in response, “And I also didn’t want people to trip on that scarf as well.”

“Oh yes, that one too,” he also noted.

The End

[thewalkingdeadfanfictions]

T, the Mute, Meets Daryl, the Stupid Redneck Chapter 11 - You’re Sort of Stupid

****T’s POV****

           I wake up before the others so I decide to go look for Nelly. I find her grazing in a clearing only a few yards away from the edge of the forest. I nicker at her, instead of going to her knowing she was skittish, causing her to look at me and study me. Seeing I’m not a threat she trots over. I pat her neck as I check her for injuries. She doesn’t have any so I pull myself up and sit in the saddle. I then pat her neck again before taping her sides causing her to start walking back towards camp. When we emerge from the woods I see Patricia wheeling a wheelbarrow towards the barn. I stop Nelly as she’s starting to get nervous and pat her neck calming her. Patricia stops and looks at me so I nod at her before taping Nelly’s sides again and leading her to the stables.

           “I’ve never seen Nelly so calm before.” Hershel says surprised as I slide off Nelly. I shrug as I lead Nelly to him. Handing her to him, I turn to walk away but he asks “Could you keep her calm while I check her over?” I nod, grab a brush, and start brushing her as he undoes her saddle and starts checking her over.

****Yori’s POV****

           Daryl’s poking holes in his tents mesh as he has to stay resting, orders from both Hershel and Tia. “Hey.” Andrea says approaching before saying it again stepping into the tent adding “This is not that great, but…” handing Daryl a book. He flips through it and asks “What, no pictures?” I hold back a laugh as Andrea says “I’m so sorry. I feel like shit.” “Yeah, you and me both.” He says so she says “I don’t expect you to forgive me, but if there’s anything I can do…” “You were trying to protect the group. We’re good.” He tells her so she starts to leave. When she’s out of the tent he adds “But, hey, shoot me again, you’d best pray I’m dead.” She smiles at him before leaving.

           “Have you seen her naked?” I ask him after she’s out of range. “What are you getting at?” He asks me defensive. I look at him through the mesh and notice that T’s dog tags are around his neck, so I say “I was talking about Andrea not my sister.” emphasizing ‘my sister’. “No.” he says then not looking at me so I say knowingly “But you saw Tia.” “I didn’t mean to.” He quickly admits truthfully so I ask “Does she know?” “I don’t know.” He says so I say “You’re sort of stupid.” He grumbles so I add “You never tell a girl’s brother that you saw her naked without her permission. But don’t worry, I like your honesty and surprisingly you. Though if it happens again I can’t promise anything.” before walking off wondering where Tia went.

           But Rick, Jimmy, and Shane were huddled around a car hood so I walk over. “What’s in this area?” Rick asks pointing to a spot on the map. “A housing development. It went in maybe 10 years ago.” Jimmy says so I say “That’s where our friend Sam’s family lives.” Rick looks at me before looking at Shane and saying “Take a run up there after gun practice, see if they’re still there. I’ll hold down the fort here, but take backup. After what went down with Daryl, I don’t want anyone going out alone. We stay in pairs.” Glenn walks up then so I say “Hey mini me.” And grab a peach from the basket he has as Shane says “I’ll take suggestions on a partner.” “See how they do on the range, then take your pick.” Rick says as he and Shane take a peach from Glenn. Glenn then walks over to Jimmy and he takes one saying thanks as Glenn is looking between Rick and Lori. “My binoculars.” Shane says causing Glenn to say “Yeah, yeah.” And hand them to him before picking the basket back up and saying “Okay, bye.” as he walks off. Rick and Shane chuckle at him as Beth and Patricia make their way to us. Knowing what they wanted I walked away the way Glenn went.

           The others are getting ready to go for shooting practice so Shane asks “You coming?” “I gotta help Dale clean the spark plugs on the RV. He said he’s gonna teach me mechanics. I should probably go look for him.” Glenn says so Dale says, from behind us, “You found me.” Glenn looks at him so he looks at Shane and says “He’s a good learner.” Shane accepts that and asks “Yori?” “I gotta fix my prosthetic before it stops working.” I tell him so he shuts the trunk of the car and asks “What’s Sam’s family’s names?” “Susan and Shawn Summers are her parents and Sarah is her little sister.” I tell him so he gets in the car and drives off. Glenn and Dale wave at them then Dale asks “Spark plugs, huh? What to tell me what’s going on?” so I add “Yeah, Glenn you’re not a good liar.” Glenn looks at us before getting closer and saying “You guys-you know things. So what if somebody told you something that somebody else should know?” “Glenn, stop being dramatic. Spit it out.” Dale tells him so he says “There’s-there’s walkers in the barn and Lori’s pregnant.” “I’ll talk to Hershel.” Dale says leaving so Glenn looks at me and I tell him “It’ll be fine, mini me.”

****T’s POV****

           Hershel is almost done checking Nelly when Dale comes in and says “Nervous Nelly. She find her way home?” “T found her and brought her back this morning.” Hershel says as Dale feeds Nelly some hay. “I love your fields. Took a long walk this morning. I ended up by the barn. I heard the moans.” Dale says then. I look at Hershel and he says “That’s unfortunate.” “I’m sure you have your reasons for keeping this a secret.” Dale says so Hershel says “I saw the broadcasts before they stopped, saw the irrational fear, the atrocities, like the incident at my well.” Dale then says “We put down a walker.” I shake my head at Hershel as he says “You killed a person.” “Well, if you watched the same broadcasts I did, you saw walkers attack, kill. They’re dangerous.” Dale says so Hershel says “A paranoid schizophrenic is dangerous, too. We don’t shoot sick people.” “With all due respect, you are cut off from the outside world here. But I’ve seen people that I cared about die and come back, and they’re not people.” Dale says causing Hershel to say “My wife and stepson are in that barn. They’re people.” “I’m sorry. Let me help. I’ll speak to Rick. He’s a good man. We can make the barn more secure, keep everybody safe.” Dale says causing Hershel to say “The barn is secure. Keep this to yourselves if you want to help. Rick is a man of conscience, but are you so sure about everyone in your group?”

****Time skip****

           The group came back from the shooting range except for Shane and Andrea as I come out of the stable with Dale. I look at Rick and he says “They went to see if Sam’s family were still in their home.” I nod and go find Yori. He’s sitting next to Daryl who’s cleaning his crossbow as Yori is trying to fix his prosthetic and I silently curse the heavens for not allowing me to avoid Daryl like I want. “You have something to fix it?” Yori asks me handing it to me after I get close. Only some of the screws in the joints are lose so I nod and hand it back to him before jogging to the R.V. Dale is on top and looks at me so I pat my back indicating that I wanted my bag that was up there. “The whole thing?” he asks walking over to it and picking it up. I nod so he hands it down to me and I nod at him again before going back over to Yori and Daryl. I sit next to Yori and start digging in my bag for the kit. “You are a hoarder.” Yori tells me as I find it and hand it to him. “Coming from the guy who is using something that I have.” I sign at him just to piss him off. I start shoving the stuff back down in the bag, forcing myself to not look at Daryl, as Yori grumbles fixing the joints.

           Glenn comes over then and says “T, I need you to help me find something in town.” I nod and take my bag back to the R.V. as Glenn talked to Maggie about borrowing a horse. I climb on top of the R.V., grab my bow and quiver, but my bag back, and hop off before heading to the stables. Maggie was having trouble with Nelly so I go over and calm her down. “Dad was right. You are good with Nelly.” She tells me breathless. I nod and start to saddle Nelly. Maggie then goes and gets on her horse and holds on to the lead for Glenn’s horse waiting for me to get on Nelly. After making sure the saddle was on right I pulled myself up and sit in the saddle. Maggie then urges her horse to go and leads Glenn’s out of the stable and I follow her on Nelly.

****Yori’s POV****

           Tia leaves with Glenn to go into town so I glance at Daryl who is watching her walk away. “Daryl, you’re staring.” I tell him causing him to quickly look away so I ask “You don’t know how to tell her, do you?” He mumbles something so I shrug and say “She doesn’t either. The closest she got was giving you her dog tags. Though at that time I’m sure she hadn’t quite figured it out yet.” He looks at the tags then so I add “I’m sure everyone knew before you two did.” He looks at me shocked as I hit the nail on the head so I sigh and say “Daryl, you got past her walls without her even knowing. Just like she did with you. Give her time, she’ll come around.” He blinks so I ask “Did I say something strange?” “Hershel told me the same thing.” He says so I laugh and say “I stole it from Sam. It’s what she told me before she left.” “Sam?” He asks studying me so I say “Samantha Summers, she’s my fiancée and Tia’s best friend. Her family lives not too far from here, Shane and Andrea went to see if they were still there.” “Where is she?” He asks so I say “Well, before the outbreak she was in Europe so I don’t know if she’s still there or if she’s even still alive.” I must have sounded pathetic as he then asks “How’d you meet?” “She was in Tia’s squad.” I tell him so he says “If that’s the case I’m sure she’s fine.” I look at him shocked before saying “That was unexpected.” He grumbles before getting up with his crossbow and heading into the woods. ‘You found yourself a good one sis. Though I don’t think he knows it.’ I tell her in my head before going off to visit with Sophia and Carl.

****Andrea’s POV****

           I was walking back to camp pissed off at what Shane said about Amy when he drives up slowly and says “Come on, let me give you a lift.” So I counter “My feet work just fine.” And keep walking. He pulls in front of me and gets out saying “Look, I’m just trying to get you rattled, give you an idea what it’s like when the shit starts to fly.” Still walking I ask angry “Is that an apology?” he follows me and says “I crossed the line when I brought Amy into it. Yeah, it’s an apology.” I stop and look at him saying “You’re a real dick sometimes.” So he says “Yeah, I acknowledge that. I’ll tell you what: I’ve got a lead on some friends of Yori’s and T’s. I’m gonna go check it out. Why don’t you come with me, be my backup?” Looking down I think ‘This could be my apology to T for shooting Daryl if we find them or a lead about where they went.’ I look at Shane and nod so he says “Come on.” Before walking back to the car so I follow him.

****T’s POV****

We meet up with Glenn at the drive and he got on his horse. We start going again and when we’re almost to the road he says to Maggie “You didn’t have to come. You could hate me from a distance.” She doesn’t say anything so he adds “Please say something.” She ignores him so he drops the topic till we get to town and starts to say “Maggie, I-“ but she cuts him off by saying “I asked for your trust and you betrayed it. Now my dad’s pissed at me. Your turn.” “So your dad thinks they’re sick? You agree with that even after what you saw at the well?” he asks but she says “I’m not sure what I saw at the well.” “Yes, you are.” Glenn says as we stop at the store and get off the horses. We start tying them up when Glenn continues “Look, if you’d seen Atlanta, you would not have a barn full of walkers.” So she says angry “I wish you’d stop calling them that.” “What do you call them?” Glenn asks so Maggie says “Mom, Shawn, Mr. and Mrs. Fischer, Lacey, Duncan.” before going into the store. I follow her as Glenn finishes tying up his horse. When he comes in she asks “What does she want now?” “I can’t say.” Glenn says so Maggie says in disbelief “So when one of them asks you to keep your mouth shut…” but he cuts her off by handing her the list saying “Crawl out of my butt and help me look, please.” She reads it then hands it to me before walking to the Pharmacy section saying “You’ve got to be kidding me.” I read it as Glenn gets other things and follow Maggie. I go to the other side and she stays in the beginning. We look for a minute before a walker grabs her arm through the shelves. “Help! Glenn, T, help! Oh, God!” she yells as I rush over to her and take out one that was going for her from her side as Glenn yells “Maggie!” grabbing a shelf and running towards the walker that had Maggie. As I take out another one Glenn hits the one that had Maggie causing it to become partially decapitated. He rushes to her asking “Did it get you? Did it bite you?” before hugging her. “Glenn!” she yells as the walker gets up so I take it out with an arrow. It falls so she hugs him tighter as I check around for more pulling my arrows out from the heads. I find where they came in by an open back door with a fresh and very devoured body. I close the door and take the body’s pack and search its pockets after stabbing it in the head with my knife. It may not have reanimated without me doing that but better safe than sorry. I take what was useful from their pockets and put the rest back and look for its weapon if it even had one. I find a pipe that had rolled away from it causing its painful death by walkers and leave it as it’s a useless weapon. We find what we need and head back. When we get back Maggie, Glenn, and I put the horses away before Maggie storms off with the bag of stuff from the store with Glenn following close behind her. I just hand the bag I got from to body to Yori, as he needs one, and head to the woods knowing the “show down” was about to happen between Maggie and Lori.

****Glenn’s POV****

           I follow Maggie after she “attacked” Lori and say “That was not cool.” “Which part? The part where that bitch almost got us killed?” She asks so I say “T and I should’ve gone by ourselves. If you want to blame anybody, blame me.” “Right, take the blame. You know, for a smart guy, you’re really stupid.” She says so I say “Okay, I’m confused, because I think you just paid me a compliment, but you made it s-“ but she cuts me off by kissing me. “I’ve already lost three of the people that I care about most in this world.” She says so I say “Maggie-“ but she cuts me off and adds “Shut up. You two are smart, brave, and a leader. But you don’t know it, your friends don’t want to know it, and T doesn’t want to be. They’d rather have you fetching peaches. There’s a dead guy in the well? Send Glenn or T down. You’re walker bait to them, except for T. She’d rather it be her instead. She and I can’t take you becoming one of them.” Before walking away. I stand there stunned at confused for a few minutes before going to look for T to see if what Maggie said was right. I can’t find her so I go to talk to Lori.

****Andrea’s POV****

           Diving into the neighborhood it doesn’t seem to have that much destruction or dead bodies around so I think ‘They might still be here and alive.’ Shane stops the car so we get out and start walking towards the houses. “We’re gonna have to go house to house. We’ll start at the far end and we’ll work our way back.” Shane says so I say “With it looking like this they might still be here, don’t you think.” He looks at me strangely before we start checking the houses. We get to the middle house and Shane kicks in the door so I call “Sarah? Mr. and Ms. Summers? Anyone?” “Shh, shh, shh.” Shane says quietly so I start searching and call quieter “Sarah? Mr. and Ms. Summers?” In the kitchen and looking at the walled off hallway I ask Shane “They walled off the hallway?” “They tried to make a stand here.” He says quietly before going through the hole in the wall. I follow him and call for just Sarah hoping they hid her somewhere. We get to the garage and see decomposing bodies. On the wall there is a whiteboard with a map and the words ‘Green Farm’ over it. Shane takes off his hat and looks at the bodies. “Sarah’s not here. There’s no child’s body. They could have had her escape from under the garage door. And had her go to Green Farm.” I say pointing at the whiteboard and seeing that the door was open enough for someone to crawl under. Just then walkers snarl so Shane looks under the door, quickly turns, and says quickly and quietly “Come on, let’s move.” Before heading back the way we came. I follow him and when we get out of the house there are scattered walkers everywhere so he says “Cover that street. I’ll clear the car.” Before he starts shooting. I try to shoot them but I just hit their bodies then my gun jams so I say “Oh, shit.” And try to undo the jam. Shane shoots the closest walker and says “Focus now. Clear the jam. Focus.” As another walker is coming. It’s getting closer so I look at him but he lowers his gun so I say “Are you kidding me?” but he says “I got your back. Now go.” I look at the walker and actually shoot it in the head. Something clicks so I aim at the others and start taking them down as Shane says “Andrea, Andrea, let’s go. Come on.” I follow him but stop at the hood of the car and aim as he says “Andrea, come on.” But I ignore him and start taking them down again.

****T’s POV****

           I was sitting by the creek and thinking ‘Sarah was a fast runner I’m sure she out run the walkers if she had to. But would she come with Andrea and Shane?’ A branch snaps behind me so I quickly aim my bow in that direction. Daryl steps out of the trees and seems surprised when he sees me so I lower my bow and turn back to the creek, cursing the heavens again. I hear him make his way over from behind me and sit beside me asking “What are you doing?” I shake my head so he says quietly “Stupid.” Scolding himself for some reason so I look at him confused, pushing away the thought of touching him scolding myself as well but in my head ‘T get a hold of yourself. Daryl sees you as a friend nothing more and never will.’ He looks away from me and says “Sorry, I forgot.” I hum quietly and turn my attention back to the water, it’s then that I notice something shining in it. I stare at it for a minute before pointing to it looking at Daryl questionably.  “I see it too.” He says so I stand and walk through the water towards it, dig it out of the mud, and clean it off. It’s a military issue dog tag and a feeling of dread washes over me as I turn it over to read what’s stamped on it. ‘Samantha M. Summers. Date of Birth: September 20th 1982. AB positive. No preference.’ My hand clenches around it as my breathing quickens. Looking around I start to panic my mind going through different possibilities for it to be here and buried in the mud. I don’t even notice Daryl come over and take it from me as I start pacing in full panic mode and start calling for Sarah, hoping she was still close as Sam had split the tags, one for her one for Sarah, before going to Europe so it was a higher possibility that it was Sarah’s. Suddenly Daryl grabs me and forces me to look at him as he tells me “Snap out of it. She’s going to be fine. The chain is intact so it probably fell out of her pocket.” So I snatch the necklace from him and inspect it and it’s like he said so I sigh nodding.

           “It’s getting late. Come on, let’s go back to camp. I’ll search with you tomorrow to see if she left any clues as to where she was going that might still be around.” He says then so I smile and nod at him before following him back to camp. We get back and Andrea and Shane are already back. Shane looks like he’s pissed off about something but he’s hiding it well from the others so I avoid him as I’m looking for Yori and Daryl goes to skin the squirrels he caught, back at his tent. I find Yori sitting in the R.V. looking at nothing but looking sad. I sit across from him and hand him the necklace. He looks at it and slowly looks at me and does the same thing I did back in the woods but he calms himself down coming to the conclusion that Daryl did, that it must have fallen out of her pocket and says “Sarah’s still out there. We have to find her.” I nod so he leaves going to tell Rick that Sarah was near here and to ask for help to find her. I sit there for a minute or so before Carol calls saying that dinner is done. I get up and join them though still avoiding Shane and sit between Yori and Daryl as Glenn sits a bit away feeling guilty about not telling the others about the barn. I don’t necessarily see a problem with it as it is ultimately Hershel’s decision to make not ours.

           After dinner everyone starts heading to bed so I climb up on the R.V. as Yori is now sharing with Glenn, they’re very similar so they were quick friends though Yori calls him ‘mini me.’ It starts to rain after a few minutes and I swear it’s just to piss me off. Andrea still being up tells me “Why don’t you ask one of the guys if you could spend the night with them. I would say in here but it’s pretty crowded.” Through the vent in the bathroom of the R.V. I sigh loudly as I hear thunder in the distance and know that the rain won’t let up soon. She laughs at me and says “You’re going to get sick if you stay out in the rain any longer.” ‘She’s up to something.’ I think but I give in, being almost completely soaked at this point, and sling by bag over my shoulder as I grab my bow and quiver before hopping off the R.V. I opt for Daryl and head towards his tent. But I stand there for a bit debating whether or not I should just see if Maggie will let me stay in the house for the night when the tent unzips. We stare at each other for a moment before he says “Come on.” Clearly annoyed as he reaches out and pulls me in with him.

****Daryl’s POV****

           It started raining after we went to bed and I frown as I think ‘T’s probably just going to sleep in the rain on top of the R.V. as Glenn and Yori are now sharing a tent. She’s going to get sick…’ I then debate whether or not to go and get her, I decide to go get her but when I unzip the tent she’s already standing there. I can’t help but stare at her for a minute as she’s already soaked and her clothes are clinging to her allowing anyone to see every curve of her body. I’m suddenly reminded about what happened at the CDC so I grab her arm and pull her into the tent saying “Come on.” Annoyed that she didn’t seem to care.  I zip the tent back up and look at her as she’s frowning, looking at herself before setting her bow and quiver next to my crossbow and starts to take off her shirt. “T!” I say shocked stopping her. She looks at me confused as if to say ‘You’ve seen it before. What’s the problem?’ so I ask her “You realize I’m a guy right?” she nods not understanding what I’m getting at and looks at me like I’m stupid so I sigh giving up and turn around adding “Hurry up and change.”  After a few minutes of staring at the side of the tent she throws something at the back of my head. I turn back around and see she threw the stuffed cat, Glenn found, at me. I then look at her and she shrugs as if to say ‘I had to get your attention somehow.’ I sigh and toss the cat back at her. She catches it and sets it on the top of her bag as I watch her wondering if what the others have said is true as she’s not acting much different. I must have been lost in my thoughts as her face is suddenly only a few inches away from mine and she’s looking at me questionably. I scoot back from her my face warming up causing her to look at me confused so I quickly climb in my sleeping bag saying “Go to sleep.” Before turning so I’m facing the side of the tent again hiding my red face from her. I hear her hum quietly before she lays down on the other side of the tent. I’m staring at the tent unable to go to sleep so I roll so I’m facing her, she seems to be asleep so I say quietly “I’m in love with you.” hoping that her subconscious could hear me or that she was still awake. She rolls to where she’s facing me still asleep and I can’t stop myself before I pull her to me. I freeze expecting her to wake up but she just says “Daryl…” before she mumbles something and presses herself against me. I relax and hug her before falling asleep.

[buynewsoul]

How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out

Oh no, my dog got out!” Not surprisingly, if a dog escapes his yard, he likely went through, over or under a fence. “The single most common way I have observed dogs escaping from a yard is when gates are left open or not positively closed,” says Stormi Weathers, professional landscaper and owner of The Garden Path in Garden Grove, California. Dog parents and even regular service workers are typically attentive, she adds. “However, that one moment of inattention can create a heartbreaking situation.”

The second most common method of escape is digging out — or digging in by a neighbor’s pet. “This is a tougher situation to handle because to prevent it you have to create an obstacle next to the fence, such as a concrete or block planter or bench, or put down a barrier below ground level, which could require some pretty serious trenching,” Stormi says.

Also, some dogs might be too smart for their own good. “Some even learn how to open gates,” says Pam Reid, vice president of the ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Behavior Team in New York. “Understanding your dog’s behavior and potential motivations to escape can help you make the necessary changes to your yard.”

Preventing dog escapes

TWO RULES OF THUMB: Use fencing no one can see through or reach through, and don’t confine your dog to the yard for long periods of time. Photography ©artisteyephoto | Getty Images.

To paraphrase an old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of heartache.” One of the most reliable forms of restriction is a fence. “Galvanized chain-link fencing is the regular old standby fence to enclose a yard,” Stormi says. “It’s sturdy and durable. If it is tall enough, it will pretty much contain any dog.” Negatives are you can see through it, and a child might be able to put her hand through it and get bit. Stormi adds that other fence options include wood, vinyl and composite materials. A wood fence might be best for dogs who are chewers because other materials might damage their mouths.

To increase a gate’s safety, Stormi recommends installing a self-closing and self-latching mechanism on all gates to your yard. She says the hardware is easy to find and install. You might want to install padlocks on the gates to prevent anyone from opening the gate when you aren’t around.

If you don’t have a fence and are interviewing contractors, Stormi says to ask if they have a dog. “If they are a dog lover, they will understand your concern. I would also ask them if they have any suggestions — never be closed to an innovative solution from any source!”

The great outdoors isn’t just the backyard. Many owners have an enclosed front porch so Fido can get fresh air. The enclosures can be as plain or elaborate as you like. “It depends on the style of your architecture and, of course, the size of your dog,” Stormi says. “Some materials we have used to create a cool-looking ‘pet atrium’ on a front porch or side yard are perforated or plasma-cut metals and decorative wire mesh. These let in air and light and can be a beautiful architectural feature.”

Remember to regularly reassess your fencing needs

Something like a new neighbor might cause your dog to start digging under the fence. Photography ©merobson1 | Getty Images.

Once you have a fence or other enclosure, your work isn’t done. “Performing a ‘perimeter patrol’ periodically will reveal any covert escape routes in progress,” Stormi says. “Pay particular attention if a new pet or family arrives next door.” These new neighbors might provide a new reason your dog starts to dig.

“Secure your yard to make sure there are no small openings, such as cracks in fences or loose boards near ground level, for your dog to escape through,” Pam adds.

There are also times of year when you have to be extra vigilant. “One in five pets escape when frightened by loud noises, such as fireworks or thunderstorms.” Pam says. “Make sure to keep your pet secured in the home during these events.”

A year-round prevention tip is to give your dog plenty of physical and mental stimulation, like toys and hidden treats. “A satisfied dog has no reason to want to leave the yard,” Pam says.

How to find a lost dog

How do you find a lost dog? Photography ©fergregory | Getty Images.

It’s not uncommon for a dog to get lost. According to the ASPCA, approximately 620,000 dogs who enter U.S. animal shelters are strays returned to their owners. Take these preventive measures to make sure this doesn’t happen to your dog:

Microchip your dog, and keep the information up to date. A microchip is an easy and permanent way to identify your dog. It also can legally prove the dog is yours.

“Make sure your dog always wears a collar with an ID tag,” Pam says. Include a local friend’s contact info, along with your own.

Teach the Recall cue. “A dog who has learned to come to the owner when called because rewards are forthcoming is less likely to want to leave the yard but, should that happen, the dog is easier to recover,” Pam says.

Download the Finding Rover lost dog app that uses facial recognition. Upload a photo of your dog’s face to the site now, just in case. If someone finds a dog, they can upload a photo to help find a match.

Attach a GPS pet tracker to your dog’s collar. Some even give an alert when your dog leaves a pre-determined area.

If your dog does escape, these tips can help your pup get home safe and sound:

The free ASPCA Pet Safety App has resources that include a personalized lost pet recovery kit and tools to make printed and digital posters. To expand social media coverage, see if your local city has its own website or Facebook page.

“If you can, leave the gate to your yard open,” Pam says. “Leave food, fresh water and a soft bed. An escapee will sometimes return back to the familiar yard, once the allure of running free wanes and the dog gets hungry or cold.”

“When searching for a dog, travel slowly and make frequent five-minute-long stops,” recommends Susan Bulanda, MAT, CABC, a certified animal behavior consultant in Westminster, Maryland. “Many people will drive around in a vehicle, calling to the dog. Unless the dog is within a few seconds of your location, he will not be able to find you if you move too quickly. They need time to determine the direction of the sound and then get to it.”

Call all local shelters and veterinarian offices. If your dog is picked up by a Good Samaritan, that person might take your dog to a shelter close to their home, which could be miles away. Extend your search a few cities beyond your closest shelter; call and visit daily.

If your dog has a doggie friend, take her on your searches. Have the dog bark to catch your dog’s attention, Pam says.

If all else fails, hire a trainer with a tracking dog, who might be able to follow your dog’s scent trail,” Pam recommends.

Being vigilant and taking protective measures keeps your dog at home where he belongs. And there’s no escaping the benefits of that kind of peace of mind.

Stories of lost dogs — found

ASTON—After escaping from his home and being gone for five days, Aston the Greyhound was recovered thanks to an unlikely combination — flyers, technology, pee and song. Aston escaped from his California home. He was a rescue from the Greyhound Adoption Center (GAC), which helped rescue him again. When Aston’s escape was posted on the GAC’s Facebook page, up to 40 people volunteered each day searching for him and distributing flyers. “Technology was the key to finding him in time,” says GAC founder Darren Rigg. “We kept updating the Aston sightings on our Facebook page and kept in touch with the volunteers via cell phone. Other animal rescue groups shared our Facebook posts.” GAC kennel manager Denine Hunt parked a van at one of those sightings and placed a crate nearby. Volunteers sprayed the area with dog urine collected at the kennel, hoping Aston would recognize the smell. He did and, thanks to Denine singing a song Aston was very familiar with during his year at GAC, Aston trotted up to her and was soon on his way home.

CHEVY—“My boyfriend, Kelly Gordon, had a black lab named Chevy, who escaped the yard several times. Occasionally the gate would not get closed all the way, and Chevy would use his nose to push it further open so he could escape and find adventure. Chevy was friendly and had tags, so luckily Kelly got a call every time. One time a woman came home to find Chevy swimming in her pool.” – Carrie Emmett

KOBE—“Kobe got out when I had him only two weeks. I decided to go door to door because I was convinced someone had him, and they did. I think they were trying to keep him. They never called my number on his tag. So glad I listened to my gut and went looking for him with my tears and all!” – Karen Clark

6 things to remember about having dogs outside

Dogs should never be confined to the yard for long amounts of time. There are many risks to this. Here are just a few:

A fence that is easy for dogs to exit is also easy for thieves to enter. A see-through fence particularly lets everyone know you’ve got a dog in the yard that isn’t being watched. Dogs do get stolen.

Overly curious children may try to pet your dog from the other side. This is especially risky if your dog is territorial or isn’t keen on new people. See-through fences are problematic, as children can reach in.

Foxes and coyotes are obvious predators, but even large hawks can and do lift small dogs.

If your dog is prone to barking, your neighbors may complain about a noise nuisance. You can be fined for this in many areas.

It can be a health risk for the dog. In some areas it is even illegal to leave a dog outside in extreme heat or cold.

Dogs confined to the yard are not being socialized and are at high risk for developing problem behaviors.

Thumbnail: Photography ©Chalabala | Getty Images.

Elizabeth Anderson Lopez is an award-winning writer based in Lake Forest, California. She and her husband have quite the menagerie, including a rescued English Bull Terrier named Maybelene.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you!

Read more tips on Dogster.com:

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The post How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out appeared first on Dogster.

[jeffreyrwelch]

How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out

Oh no, my dog got out!” Not surprisingly, if a dog escapes his yard, he likely went through, over or under a fence. “The single most common way I have observed dogs escaping from a yard is when gates are left open or not positively closed,” says Stormi Weathers, professional landscaper and owner of The Garden Path in Garden Grove, California. Dog parents and even regular service workers are typically attentive, she adds. “However, that one moment of inattention can create a heartbreaking situation.”

The second most common method of escape is digging out — or digging in by a neighbor’s pet. “This is a tougher situation to handle because to prevent it you have to create an obstacle next to the fence, such as a concrete or block planter or bench, or put down a barrier below ground level, which could require some pretty serious trenching,” Stormi says.

Also, some dogs might be too smart for their own good. “Some even learn how to open gates,” says Pam Reid, vice president of the ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Behavior Team in New York. “Understanding your dog’s behavior and potential motivations to escape can help you make the necessary changes to your yard.”

Preventing dog escapes

TWO RULES OF THUMB: Use fencing no one can see through or reach through, and don’t confine your dog to the yard for long periods of time. Photography ©artisteyephoto | Getty Images.

To paraphrase an old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of heartache.” One of the most reliable forms of restriction is a fence. “Galvanized chain-link fencing is the regular old standby fence to enclose a yard,” Stormi says. “It’s sturdy and durable. If it is tall enough, it will pretty much contain any dog.” Negatives are you can see through it, and a child might be able to put her hand through it and get bit. Stormi adds that other fence options include wood, vinyl and composite materials. A wood fence might be best for dogs who are chewers because other materials might damage their mouths.

To increase a gate’s safety, Stormi recommends installing a self-closing and self-latching mechanism on all gates to your yard. She says the hardware is easy to find and install. You might want to install padlocks on the gates to prevent anyone from opening the gate when you aren’t around.

If you don’t have a fence and are interviewing contractors, Stormi says to ask if they have a dog. “If they are a dog lover, they will understand your concern. I would also ask them if they have any suggestions — never be closed to an innovative solution from any source!”

The great outdoors isn’t just the backyard. Many owners have an enclosed front porch so Fido can get fresh air. The enclosures can be as plain or elaborate as you like. “It depends on the style of your architecture and, of course, the size of your dog,” Stormi says. “Some materials we have used to create a cool-looking ‘pet atrium’ on a front porch or side yard are perforated or plasma-cut metals and decorative wire mesh. These let in air and light and can be a beautiful architectural feature.”

Remember to regularly reassess your fencing needs

Something like a new neighbor might cause your dog to start digging under the fence. Photography ©merobson1 | Getty Images.

Once you have a fence or other enclosure, your work isn’t done. “Performing a ‘perimeter patrol’ periodically will reveal any covert escape routes in progress,” Stormi says. “Pay particular attention if a new pet or family arrives next door.” These new neighbors might provide a new reason your dog starts to dig.

“Secure your yard to make sure there are no small openings, such as cracks in fences or loose boards near ground level, for your dog to escape through,” Pam adds.

There are also times of year when you have to be extra vigilant. “One in five pets escape when frightened by loud noises, such as fireworks or thunderstorms.” Pam says. “Make sure to keep your pet secured in the home during these events.”

A year-round prevention tip is to give your dog plenty of physical and mental stimulation, like toys and hidden treats. “A satisfied dog has no reason to want to leave the yard,” Pam says.

How to find a lost dog

How do you find a lost dog? Photography ©fergregory | Getty Images.

It’s not uncommon for a dog to get lost. According to the ASPCA, approximately 620,000 dogs who enter U.S. animal shelters are strays returned to their owners. Take these preventive measures to make sure this doesn’t happen to your dog:

Microchip your dog, and keep the information up to date. A microchip is an easy and permanent way to identify your dog. It also can legally prove the dog is yours.

“Make sure your dog always wears a collar with an ID tag,” Pam says. Include a local friend’s contact info, along with your own.

Teach the Recall cue. “A dog who has learned to come to the owner when called because rewards are forthcoming is less likely to want to leave the yard but, should that happen, the dog is easier to recover,” Pam says.

Download the Finding Rover lost dog app that uses facial recognition. Upload a photo of your dog’s face to the site now, just in case. If someone finds a dog, they can upload a photo to help find a match.

Attach a GPS pet tracker to your dog’s collar. Some even give an alert when your dog leaves a pre-determined area.

If your dog does escape, these tips can help your pup get home safe and sound:

The free ASPCA Pet Safety App has resources that include a personalized lost pet recovery kit and tools to make printed and digital posters. To expand social media coverage, see if your local city has its own website or Facebook page.

“If you can, leave the gate to your yard open,” Pam says. “Leave food, fresh water and a soft bed. An escapee will sometimes return back to the familiar yard, once the allure of running free wanes and the dog gets hungry or cold.”

“When searching for a dog, travel slowly and make frequent five-minute-long stops,” recommends Susan Bulanda, MAT, CABC, a certified animal behavior consultant in Westminster, Maryland. “Many people will drive around in a vehicle, calling to the dog. Unless the dog is within a few seconds of your location, he will not be able to find you if you move too quickly. They need time to determine the direction of the sound and then get to it.”

Call all local shelters and veterinarian offices. If your dog is picked up by a Good Samaritan, that person might take your dog to a shelter close to their home, which could be miles away. Extend your search a few cities beyond your closest shelter; call and visit daily.

If your dog has a doggie friend, take her on your searches. Have the dog bark to catch your dog’s attention, Pam says.

If all else fails, hire a trainer with a tracking dog, who might be able to follow your dog’s scent trail,” Pam recommends.

Being vigilant and taking protective measures keeps your dog at home where he belongs. And there’s no escaping the benefits of that kind of peace of mind.

Stories of lost dogs — found

ASTON—After escaping from his home and being gone for five days, Aston the Greyhound was recovered thanks to an unlikely combination — flyers, technology, pee and song. Aston escaped from his California home. He was a rescue from the Greyhound Adoption Center (GAC), which helped rescue him again. When Aston’s escape was posted on the GAC’s Facebook page, up to 40 people volunteered each day searching for him and distributing flyers. “Technology was the key to finding him in time,” says GAC founder Darren Rigg. “We kept updating the Aston sightings on our Facebook page and kept in touch with the volunteers via cell phone. Other animal rescue groups shared our Facebook posts.” GAC kennel manager Denine Hunt parked a van at one of those sightings and placed a crate nearby. Volunteers sprayed the area with dog urine collected at the kennel, hoping Aston would recognize the smell. He did and, thanks to Denine singing a song Aston was very familiar with during his year at GAC, Aston trotted up to her and was soon on his way home.

CHEVY—“My boyfriend, Kelly Gordon, had a black lab named Chevy, who escaped the yard several times. Occasionally the gate would not get closed all the way, and Chevy would use his nose to push it further open so he could escape and find adventure. Chevy was friendly and had tags, so luckily Kelly got a call every time. One time a woman came home to find Chevy swimming in her pool.” – Carrie Emmett

KOBE—“Kobe got out when I had him only two weeks. I decided to go door to door because I was convinced someone had him, and they did. I think they were trying to keep him. They never called my number on his tag. So glad I listened to my gut and went looking for him with my tears and all!” – Karen Clark

6 things to remember about having dogs outside

Dogs should never be confined to the yard for long amounts of time. There are many risks to this. Here are just a few:

A fence that is easy for dogs to exit is also easy for thieves to enter. A see-through fence particularly lets everyone know you’ve got a dog in the yard that isn’t being watched. Dogs do get stolen.

Overly curious children may try to pet your dog from the other side. This is especially risky if your dog is territorial or isn’t keen on new people. See-through fences are problematic, as children can reach in.

Foxes and coyotes are obvious predators, but even large hawks can and do lift small dogs.

If your dog is prone to barking, your neighbors may complain about a noise nuisance. You can be fined for this in many areas.

It can be a health risk for the dog. In some areas it is even illegal to leave a dog outside in extreme heat or cold.

Dogs confined to the yard are not being socialized and are at high risk for developing problem behaviors.

Thumbnail: Photography ©Chalabala | Getty Images.

Elizabeth Anderson Lopez is an award-winning writer based in Lake Forest, California. She and her husband have quite the menagerie, including a rescued English Bull Terrier named Maybelene.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you!

Read more tips on Dogster.com:

Dog-Friendly Hotels to Keep in Mind for Your Summer Vacation

The Pros Weigh in on Choosing the Right Dog Gear

The Best Flooring for Dogs — and How to Protect Your Floor From Damage

The post How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out appeared first on Dogster.

[stiles-wtf]

How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out

Oh no, my dog got out!” Not surprisingly, if a dog escapes his yard, he likely went through, over or under a fence. “The single most common way I have observed dogs escaping from a yard is when gates are left open or not positively closed,” says Stormi Weathers, professional landscaper and owner of The Garden Path in Garden Grove, California. Dog parents and even regular service workers are typically attentive, she adds. “However, that one moment of inattention can create a heartbreaking situation.”

The second most common method of escape is digging out — or digging in by a neighbor’s pet. “This is a tougher situation to handle because to prevent it you have to create an obstacle next to the fence, such as a concrete or block planter or bench, or put down a barrier below ground level, which could require some pretty serious trenching,” Stormi says.

Also, some dogs might be too smart for their own good. “Some even learn how to open gates,” says Pam Reid, vice president of the ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Behavior Team in New York. “Understanding your dog’s behavior and potential motivations to escape can help you make the necessary changes to your yard.”

Preventing dog escapes

TWO RULES OF THUMB: Use fencing no one can see through or reach through, and don’t confine your dog to the yard for long periods of time. Photography ©artisteyephoto | Getty Images.

To paraphrase an old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of heartache.” One of the most reliable forms of restriction is a fence. “Galvanized chain-link fencing is the regular old standby fence to enclose a yard,” Stormi says. “It’s sturdy and durable. If it is tall enough, it will pretty much contain any dog.” Negatives are you can see through it, and a child might be able to put her hand through it and get bit. Stormi adds that other fence options include wood, vinyl and composite materials. A wood fence might be best for dogs who are chewers because other materials might damage their mouths.

To increase a gate’s safety, Stormi recommends installing a self-closing and self-latching mechanism on all gates to your yard. She says the hardware is easy to find and install. You might want to install padlocks on the gates to prevent anyone from opening the gate when you aren’t around.

If you don’t have a fence and are interviewing contractors, Stormi says to ask if they have a dog. “If they are a dog lover, they will understand your concern. I would also ask them if they have any suggestions — never be closed to an innovative solution from any source!”

The great outdoors isn’t just the backyard. Many owners have an enclosed front porch so Fido can get fresh air. The enclosures can be as plain or elaborate as you like. “It depends on the style of your architecture and, of course, the size of your dog,” Stormi says. “Some materials we have used to create a cool-looking ‘pet atrium’ on a front porch or side yard are perforated or plasma-cut metals and decorative wire mesh. These let in air and light and can be a beautiful architectural feature.”

Remember to regularly reassess your fencing needs

Something like a new neighbor might cause your dog to start digging under the fence. Photography ©merobson1 | Getty Images.

Once you have a fence or other enclosure, your work isn’t done. “Performing a ‘perimeter patrol’ periodically will reveal any covert escape routes in progress,” Stormi says. “Pay particular attention if a new pet or family arrives next door.” These new neighbors might provide a new reason your dog starts to dig.

“Secure your yard to make sure there are no small openings, such as cracks in fences or loose boards near ground level, for your dog to escape through,” Pam adds.

There are also times of year when you have to be extra vigilant. “One in five pets escape when frightened by loud noises, such as fireworks or thunderstorms.” Pam says. “Make sure to keep your pet secured in the home during these events.”

A year-round prevention tip is to give your dog plenty of physical and mental stimulation, like toys and hidden treats. “A satisfied dog has no reason to want to leave the yard,” Pam says.

How to find a lost dog

How do you find a lost dog? Photography ©fergregory | Getty Images.

It’s not uncommon for a dog to get lost. According to the ASPCA, approximately 620,000 dogs who enter U.S. animal shelters are strays returned to their owners. Take these preventive measures to make sure this doesn’t happen to your dog:

Microchip your dog, and keep the information up to date. A microchip is an easy and permanent way to identify your dog. It also can legally prove the dog is yours.

“Make sure your dog always wears a collar with an ID tag,” Pam says. Include a local friend’s contact info, along with your own.

Teach the Recall cue. “A dog who has learned to come to the owner when called because rewards are forthcoming is less likely to want to leave the yard but, should that happen, the dog is easier to recover,” Pam says.

Download the Finding Rover lost dog app that uses facial recognition. Upload a photo of your dog’s face to the site now, just in case. If someone finds a dog, they can upload a photo to help find a match.

Attach a GPS pet tracker to your dog’s collar. Some even give an alert when your dog leaves a pre-determined area.

If your dog does escape, these tips can help your pup get home safe and sound:

The free ASPCA Pet Safety App has resources that include a personalized lost pet recovery kit and tools to make printed and digital posters. To expand social media coverage, see if your local city has its own website or Facebook page.

“If you can, leave the gate to your yard open,” Pam says. “Leave food, fresh water and a soft bed. An escapee will sometimes return back to the familiar yard, once the allure of running free wanes and the dog gets hungry or cold.”

“When searching for a dog, travel slowly and make frequent five-minute-long stops,” recommends Susan Bulanda, MAT, CABC, a certified animal behavior consultant in Westminster, Maryland. “Many people will drive around in a vehicle, calling to the dog. Unless the dog is within a few seconds of your location, he will not be able to find you if you move too quickly. They need time to determine the direction of the sound and then get to it.”

Call all local shelters and veterinarian offices. If your dog is picked up by a Good Samaritan, that person might take your dog to a shelter close to their home, which could be miles away. Extend your search a few cities beyond your closest shelter; call and visit daily.

If your dog has a doggie friend, take her on your searches. Have the dog bark to catch your dog’s attention, Pam says.

If all else fails, hire a trainer with a tracking dog, who might be able to follow your dog’s scent trail,” Pam recommends.

Being vigilant and taking protective measures keeps your dog at home where he belongs. And there’s no escaping the benefits of that kind of peace of mind.

Stories of lost dogs — found

ASTON—After escaping from his home and being gone for five days, Aston the Greyhound was recovered thanks to an unlikely combination — flyers, technology, pee and song. Aston escaped from his California home. He was a rescue from the Greyhound Adoption Center (GAC), which helped rescue him again. When Aston’s escape was posted on the GAC’s Facebook page, up to 40 people volunteered each day searching for him and distributing flyers. “Technology was the key to finding him in time,” says GAC founder Darren Rigg. “We kept updating the Aston sightings on our Facebook page and kept in touch with the volunteers via cell phone. Other animal rescue groups shared our Facebook posts.” GAC kennel manager Denine Hunt parked a van at one of those sightings and placed a crate nearby. Volunteers sprayed the area with dog urine collected at the kennel, hoping Aston would recognize the smell. He did and, thanks to Denine singing a song Aston was very familiar with during his year at GAC, Aston trotted up to her and was soon on his way home.

CHEVY—“My boyfriend, Kelly Gordon, had a black lab named Chevy, who escaped the yard several times. Occasionally the gate would not get closed all the way, and Chevy would use his nose to push it further open so he could escape and find adventure. Chevy was friendly and had tags, so luckily Kelly got a call every time. One time a woman came home to find Chevy swimming in her pool.” – Carrie Emmett

KOBE—“Kobe got out when I had him only two weeks. I decided to go door to door because I was convinced someone had him, and they did. I think they were trying to keep him. They never called my number on his tag. So glad I listened to my gut and went looking for him with my tears and all!” – Karen Clark

6 things to remember about having dogs outside

Dogs should never be confined to the yard for long amounts of time. There are many risks to this. Here are just a few:

A fence that is easy for dogs to exit is also easy for thieves to enter. A see-through fence particularly lets everyone know you’ve got a dog in the yard that isn’t being watched. Dogs do get stolen.

Overly curious children may try to pet your dog from the other side. This is especially risky if your dog is territorial or isn’t keen on new people. See-through fences are problematic, as children can reach in.

Foxes and coyotes are obvious predators, but even large hawks can and do lift small dogs.

If your dog is prone to barking, your neighbors may complain about a noise nuisance. You can be fined for this in many areas.

It can be a health risk for the dog. In some areas it is even illegal to leave a dog outside in extreme heat or cold.

Dogs confined to the yard are not being socialized and are at high risk for developing problem behaviors.

Thumbnail: Photography ©Chalabala | Getty Images.

Elizabeth Anderson Lopez is an award-winning writer based in Lake Forest, California. She and her husband have quite the menagerie, including a rescued English Bull Terrier named Maybelene.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you!

Read more tips on Dogster.com:

Dog-Friendly Hotels to Keep in Mind for Your Summer Vacation

The Pros Weigh in on Choosing the Right Dog Gear

The Best Flooring for Dogs — and How to Protect Your Floor From Damage

The post How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out appeared first on Dogster.

[daddyslittlejuliet]

How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out

Oh no, my dog got out!” Not surprisingly, if a dog escapes his yard, he likely went through, over or under a fence. “The single most common way I have observed dogs escaping from a yard is when gates are left open or not positively closed,” says Stormi Weathers, professional landscaper and owner of The Garden Path in Garden Grove, California. Dog parents and even regular service workers are typically attentive, she adds. “However, that one moment of inattention can create a heartbreaking situation.”

The second most common method of escape is digging out — or digging in by a neighbor’s pet. “This is a tougher situation to handle because to prevent it you have to create an obstacle next to the fence, such as a concrete or block planter or bench, or put down a barrier below ground level, which could require some pretty serious trenching,” Stormi says.

Also, some dogs might be too smart for their own good. “Some even learn how to open gates,” says Pam Reid, vice president of the ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Behavior Team in New York. “Understanding your dog’s behavior and potential motivations to escape can help you make the necessary changes to your yard.”

Preventing dog escapes

TWO RULES OF THUMB: Use fencing no one can see through or reach through, and don’t confine your dog to the yard for long periods of time. Photography ©artisteyephoto | Getty Images.

To paraphrase an old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of heartache.” One of the most reliable forms of restriction is a fence. “Galvanized chain-link fencing is the regular old standby fence to enclose a yard,” Stormi says. “It’s sturdy and durable. If it is tall enough, it will pretty much contain any dog.” Negatives are you can see through it, and a child might be able to put her hand through it and get bit. Stormi adds that other fence options include wood, vinyl and composite materials. A wood fence might be best for dogs who are chewers because other materials might damage their mouths.

To increase a gate’s safety, Stormi recommends installing a self-closing and self-latching mechanism on all gates to your yard. She says the hardware is easy to find and install. You might want to install padlocks on the gates to prevent anyone from opening the gate when you aren’t around.

If you don’t have a fence and are interviewing contractors, Stormi says to ask if they have a dog. “If they are a dog lover, they will understand your concern. I would also ask them if they have any suggestions — never be closed to an innovative solution from any source!”

The great outdoors isn’t just the backyard. Many owners have an enclosed front porch so Fido can get fresh air. The enclosures can be as plain or elaborate as you like. “It depends on the style of your architecture and, of course, the size of your dog,” Stormi says. “Some materials we have used to create a cool-looking ‘pet atrium’ on a front porch or side yard are perforated or plasma-cut metals and decorative wire mesh. These let in air and light and can be a beautiful architectural feature.”

Remember to regularly reassess your fencing needs

Something like a new neighbor might cause your dog to start digging under the fence. Photography ©merobson1 | Getty Images.

Once you have a fence or other enclosure, your work isn’t done. “Performing a ‘perimeter patrol’ periodically will reveal any covert escape routes in progress,” Stormi says. “Pay particular attention if a new pet or family arrives next door.” These new neighbors might provide a new reason your dog starts to dig.

“Secure your yard to make sure there are no small openings, such as cracks in fences or loose boards near ground level, for your dog to escape through,” Pam adds.

There are also times of year when you have to be extra vigilant. “One in five pets escape when frightened by loud noises, such as fireworks or thunderstorms.” Pam says. “Make sure to keep your pet secured in the home during these events.”

A year-round prevention tip is to give your dog plenty of physical and mental stimulation, like toys and hidden treats. “A satisfied dog has no reason to want to leave the yard,” Pam says.

How to find a lost dog

How do you find a lost dog? Photography ©fergregory | Getty Images.

It’s not uncommon for a dog to get lost. According to the ASPCA, approximately 620,000 dogs who enter U.S. animal shelters are strays returned to their owners. Take these preventive measures to make sure this doesn’t happen to your dog:

Microchip your dog, and keep the information up to date. A microchip is an easy and permanent way to identify your dog. It also can legally prove the dog is yours.

“Make sure your dog always wears a collar with an ID tag,” Pam says. Include a local friend’s contact info, along with your own.

Teach the Recall cue. “A dog who has learned to come to the owner when called because rewards are forthcoming is less likely to want to leave the yard but, should that happen, the dog is easier to recover,” Pam says.

Download the Finding Rover lost dog app that uses facial recognition. Upload a photo of your dog’s face to the site now, just in case. If someone finds a dog, they can upload a photo to help find a match.

Attach a GPS pet tracker to your dog’s collar. Some even give an alert when your dog leaves a pre-determined area.

If your dog does escape, these tips can help your pup get home safe and sound:

The free ASPCA Pet Safety App has resources that include a personalized lost pet recovery kit and tools to make printed and digital posters. To expand social media coverage, see if your local city has its own website or Facebook page.

“If you can, leave the gate to your yard open,” Pam says. “Leave food, fresh water and a soft bed. An escapee will sometimes return back to the familiar yard, once the allure of running free wanes and the dog gets hungry or cold.”

“When searching for a dog, travel slowly and make frequent five-minute-long stops,” recommends Susan Bulanda, MAT, CABC, a certified animal behavior consultant in Westminster, Maryland. “Many people will drive around in a vehicle, calling to the dog. Unless the dog is within a few seconds of your location, he will not be able to find you if you move too quickly. They need time to determine the direction of the sound and then get to it.”

Call all local shelters and veterinarian offices. If your dog is picked up by a Good Samaritan, that person might take your dog to a shelter close to their home, which could be miles away. Extend your search a few cities beyond your closest shelter; call and visit daily.

If your dog has a doggie friend, take her on your searches. Have the dog bark to catch your dog’s attention, Pam says.

If all else fails, hire a trainer with a tracking dog, who might be able to follow your dog’s scent trail,” Pam recommends.

Being vigilant and taking protective measures keeps your dog at home where he belongs. And there’s no escaping the benefits of that kind of peace of mind.

Stories of lost dogs — found

ASTON—After escaping from his home and being gone for five days, Aston the Greyhound was recovered thanks to an unlikely combination — flyers, technology, pee and song. Aston escaped from his California home. He was a rescue from the Greyhound Adoption Center (GAC), which helped rescue him again. When Aston’s escape was posted on the GAC’s Facebook page, up to 40 people volunteered each day searching for him and distributing flyers. “Technology was the key to finding him in time,” says GAC founder Darren Rigg. “We kept updating the Aston sightings on our Facebook page and kept in touch with the volunteers via cell phone. Other animal rescue groups shared our Facebook posts.” GAC kennel manager Denine Hunt parked a van at one of those sightings and placed a crate nearby. Volunteers sprayed the area with dog urine collected at the kennel, hoping Aston would recognize the smell. He did and, thanks to Denine singing a song Aston was very familiar with during his year at GAC, Aston trotted up to her and was soon on his way home.

CHEVY—“My boyfriend, Kelly Gordon, had a black lab named Chevy, who escaped the yard several times. Occasionally the gate would not get closed all the way, and Chevy would use his nose to push it further open so he could escape and find adventure. Chevy was friendly and had tags, so luckily Kelly got a call every time. One time a woman came home to find Chevy swimming in her pool.” – Carrie Emmett

KOBE—“Kobe got out when I had him only two weeks. I decided to go door to door because I was convinced someone had him, and they did. I think they were trying to keep him. They never called my number on his tag. So glad I listened to my gut and went looking for him with my tears and all!” – Karen Clark

6 things to remember about having dogs outside

Dogs should never be confined to the yard for long amounts of time. There are many risks to this. Here are just a few:

A fence that is easy for dogs to exit is also easy for thieves to enter. A see-through fence particularly lets everyone know you’ve got a dog in the yard that isn’t being watched. Dogs do get stolen.

Overly curious children may try to pet your dog from the other side. This is especially risky if your dog is territorial or isn’t keen on new people. See-through fences are problematic, as children can reach in.

Foxes and coyotes are obvious predators, but even large hawks can and do lift small dogs.

If your dog is prone to barking, your neighbors may complain about a noise nuisance. You can be fined for this in many areas.

It can be a health risk for the dog. In some areas it is even illegal to leave a dog outside in extreme heat or cold.

Dogs confined to the yard are not being socialized and are at high risk for developing problem behaviors.

Thumbnail: Photography ©Chalabala | Getty Images.

Elizabeth Anderson Lopez is an award-winning writer based in Lake Forest, California. She and her husband have quite the menagerie, including a rescued English Bull Terrier named Maybelene.

Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Dogster magazine. Have you seen the new Dogster print magazine in stores? Or in the waiting room of your vet’s office? Subscribe now to get Dogster magazine delivered straight to you!

Read more tips on Dogster.com:

Dog-Friendly Hotels to Keep in Mind for Your Summer Vacation

The Pros Weigh in on Choosing the Right Dog Gear

The Best Flooring for Dogs — and How to Protect Your Floor From Damage

The post How to Prevent Dog Escapes — and Find a Lost Dog If He Does Get Out appeared first on Dogster.