I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. It wasn’t so bad. I knew where I was going and where I came from. But none of that matters. I’m in the emotional dog house tonight.
It all started so innocently. I was just doing my usual thing in the backyard when I realized I wasn’t properly attached to my lead. So I did what any dog would do – I went on an adventure. I figure I knew my way around from all of my walks with mom around the neighborhood. I said hello to the neighbor dogs, who were barking enviously from their yards. I stopped by more fire hydrants than usual to mark my territory. I even got all kinds of attention from the children at the neighborhood playground. That was my favorite part.
It was all downhill from there. I heard dad approaching and he didn’t sound happy. In fact, he sounded angry. More angry than I recall ever hearing him sound before. Wiley! Wiley WILEY!!!! He was yelling my name in a way that made me much prefer to stay and be petted more by the nice children. But I figured it would probably make things worse if I further extended my adventure, so I went to him and he took me home.
I estimate I made it a whopping four blocks away on my adventure, which is (by far) the farthest I’ve ever journeyed on my own. And I knew where I was the whole time (there’s a reason us canines were gifted with the amazing sense of smell).
So why was dad so angry? Why was mom crying when I got home? I don’t understand what all the fuss is about. But I also don’t particularly care for dad being angry or mom being sad. In fact, I realized as I watched them breathe what I think was a collective sigh of relief that dad was probably mad because mom was sad. And mom was sad because she doesn’t realize I was just on an adventure around a neighborhood I know like the back of my paw. She thought I was leaving her. Leaving them. Leaving my forever home, my dream home, forever.
Why would I do such a thing? It’s not the first time I’ve seen them overreact, and I know its not the last. But maybe I will keep my adventures closer to home from now on. After all, there is a very important lesson to be learned from all of this. It’s not worth it to put people I love more than anything in the world through the apparent agony. Adventure may come at a price too high sometimes.
Wiley's Wisdom 
Wow, four blocks! I have only adventured about five or six feet away from my human before being stopped. I wouldn’t want to see my mom sad or my dad mad either. I love my home too, and I plan on staying here for a long long time.
Wow, what a good dog you are!!! I think it’s the terrier in me – I get distracted and swept away so easily. I have to work on that. 😉
So glad you are safe Wiley! Whewwooowoooo! Nalle once slipped out of her collar on a run. She only ran a block away, but came right back when Mama called her. Mama’s said she nearly had a heart attack though!
A heart attack! Oh heavens. That’s another reason I intend to stay closer to home from now on. 🙂
Poor Wiley, I know how your Mom and Dad felt.I remember when my daughter was two and a half years old and she told me she was going to go to the shops to look for Grandma, so I said, “Okay sweetie.” The doors were securely shut so I knew she couldn’t get out…or so I thought. We found her an hour later two blocks away. She’d even managed to cross a busy street. Oh boy! did she ever get a lecture 🙂
Busy streets scare me, especially when precious little people are involved. I’m so glad she’s all right in spite of a sticky situation!
So glad you’re safe Wiley! Reminds me of when Ms. Bella bolted in the park, yanking her retractable leash right out of my hand. The clanging of it hitting the street made her crazy and she took off with it behind her…almost got hit by a car…and then disappeared. I ran the five blocks home to find her sitting on the front porch, all scratched up, with no sign of that stupid retractable leash. Good thing. I would have thrown it out!! Lesson learned. See why Dad gets mad and Mom gets sad?
Ms. Bella! I bet she saw something pretty special to pull away like that. I’m glad she’s okay!
Wiley-they just love you and would be devastated if something ever happened to that sweet little face. We humans get scared when we don’t understand. Scratch, scratch, my little friend.
I suppose you’re right about getting scared when we don’t understand. Thanks for bringing things into perspective, dear friend.
Well, I can understand they’d be sick with worry! Even if it’s four blocks. Did you not hear about the rat-poison tainted meatballs that sickened a dog that mistakenly ingested one in a San Francisco neighborhood recently? Many dog owners found up to 150 of these meatballs scattered in their neighborhood. They’re all angry and afraid for their pets. It’s been in the news, Wiley. I’d be sick with worry too!
My goodness gracious no! I hadn’t heard about the poisonous meatballs so thank you so much for sharing!
Oh, dog! You have no idea. You live in the present; we go far into possibilities and when scared, ooohhhh, it is hard to explain until it happens to you. Think back to when you feared for someone based on your experience – now add, 20 different scenarios – sheer unmitigated fear for a loved one. By the time they find you safe and sound, whether it be one minute or two days, they are simultaneously so GLAD you are okay, so RELIEVED, their blood pressure zeroooms around their body super=fast and all that adrenaline results in an angry voice because they are so rattled. I’ve been known to have to down a shot of Stoli just to come back into my body even though all the danger is passed. Be kind to your beloved forever parents. HuntMode
Dad always says he trust me, he just doesn’t trust other people. I think that’s where your mention of 20 different (scary) scenarios comes into play. I suppose you’re right…I have to cut them some slack. 🙂
I’m so happy you’re home safe and sound, W. When I didn’t wear a Martingale collar, once, I pulled my head out of my collar and was FREE on the front lawn for about 2 minutes. It was fun, but even that got everybody more upset and angry than I’d have guessed.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Dear Cupcake,
Like all my beloved blog friends are reminding me, they were only angry because they love you so much and don’t want to see anything bad happen to you. I know I’d sure miss you. How’s your mom doing, btw?
Thanks, W. Mom came home sweet home yesterday. It was so exciting. She already took me for a short walk with her shiny new knee. Her leg is swollen, but later on, I will lay my bony head on the sore part and try to make it better.
I should have read this before a different comment I responded to tonight! Silly me! I’m so happy to hear your mom is home where she belongs again! My mom had knee work done recently too, and I can testify to the wonder of a little well placed cuddling time during recovery! 🙂
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Thanks for the pingback!
Oh Wiley that is so true! I can just imagine how scared your Mom and Dad were and I know you felt bad because you didn’t mean to hurt their feelings. Thank goodness you are home safe and sound!! Barks and licks and love, Dakota
Barks and licks and love to you too, dear Dakota. And take heed – adventures and anger are not a good combination. 😉
Don’t scare your mum and dad like that, they love you and that is why they were angry. Mind you I heard a story that I ventured into town as a 3 year old on my own, my mum was furiuos at my sister who was supposed to look after me. Love makes us humans like that.
I suppose you’re right, and I love the way you said that. Love makes us human like that. Thanks for sharing your beautiful words with me again today!
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🙂 Thanks again!
Glad to hear you had a safe adventure, but you should take care and always take a grown up out with you, otherwise they worry! Plus they need their excercise
You’re right – my parents could use a little more walk time/little less TV time. 🙂
Reblogged this on Wiley's Wisdom and commented:
Adventure is in the eye of the beholder.