Huge Wake-Up Call this A.M.

[ferretzmom]

Elmo (aka Mr. Rumple) did not show up for soup today. Everyone else in his group came running for soup, but no sign of Elmo. Hmmm . . . In a while, everyone else was ready for bed, but still no Elmo. Starting to worry. . . Checked his usual haunts and couldn't find him. Very worried . . . Checked EVERYWHERE in the house, including the washing machine and laundry bins, and he was nowhere to be found. Panic! Tried to call Arlo to see if he had accidentally let him out when he was feeding the birds, but had to deal with the security guard on the phone. (Where *do* they get these people with negative IQs???) Had to explain that Arlo needed to call home immediately. "How do you spell Arlo?" A-R-L-O "And his last name?" Argggg . . . (Honestly, how many "Arlos" do you know?) "And your name is?" Wife: W-I-F-E "And your phone number?" Home: H-O-M-E He has the number. Just have him call home ASAP.

At that very moment, I see Elmo in the courtyard, trying to find the door to get into the house. Dropped the phone, flew out the door, picked up my sweet, soft-as-down little sable darling and headed inside to do a thorough body check and double pampering session, all the while giving thanks to God that he's back in my arms again. He's still having trouble getting to sleep after his excitement this morning, and I'm counting all of my new gray hairs.

Today's events were a wake-up call for us to never be too sure of where these kids are at any given moment. I feel like we've been given a second chance with this little guy and this was a huge warning for us to be more vigilant. With all of the owls, hawks, coyotes, feral cats and large dogs on weak leashes, it's a miracle that Elmo wasn't someone's breakfast.

[suzie]

Oh Heavens Julie. Thank God you found Elmo so quickly. I know how paniced you must have been. I remember when my Gizzy was out for 2 1/2 days. Give that little feller a special hug from all of us.

[wanderinweasels]

Thank God that Elmo didn't get any farther!! I panic whenever I can't find one of mine. That's happened a couple of times with us -- but luckily they ended up in a dead ferret sleep in an out of the way place that we forgot to check in out panicked state!! Gotta love the little buggars!!!

[greta]

Praise GOD Elmo was kept safe, Julie! I didn't realize you had so many predators there in Phoenix. Omg! Any one of those carnivores could have made short work of youi sweet little Munchkin. I KNOW God has His Guardian Angels watching over our babies. Loving hugs, Greta

[ferretzmom]

I have a feeling that Elmo's guardian angel is named Brianna -- his former mommy, who now has a good view of her beloved Elmo from the heavens above.

[huronna]

I can imagine your panic, but so glad that Elmo came home and so quickly. I wonder what kind of adventures he had

[shadoe]

Oh I am so happy you found your baby! I panick when they are playing and one isnt in view! LOL! I worry about predators as well when I take them out. One day the seagulls were flying over the garbage dumpster and making seagull noises while I had Willow out. She sat ever so quietly in my arms never once atakeing her eyes off the direction of the birds.