Thankfully, the foster stepped forward to offer Chocho a new lease of life--into domesticity.
The first day Chocho entered, A. locked her in the laundry section of the kitchen, which at least offered Chocho an 'infrastructure' of safety and comfort, with the makeshift pens and window grilles. At the first instance, our girl even tried to clamour through the square of the window grilles and got us a tad panicky of her escape tendencies and the endless possibilities a stray 'escape artist' can conjure and act upon, and catch the humans unawares.
A routine of 3x walk per day and regular meals was built into her, together with what was 'administered' to the rest of the pack. Just when we thought Chocho was beginning to take comfort in the regularity put in place that one late Sunday morning, one week into her fosterhood, Chocho, by a sheer occasion of accidence, wrangled out of her collar and took off!!!
The next thing I knew, we had a 5-man search team frantically combing industrial estates, buildings, fields, petrol kiosks and the neighbourhood; frantically scrambling after her, after we failed to corner her within a hedge of bushes; waiting for her at the periphery of a forested area while she suspectedly hid behind the clumps of greenery and peered at us--her pursuers.
A very wild ride indeed.
It was such an experience: locating her at several junctures, asking people if they'd seen our chocolate-brown girl, sprinting after her, (literally) diving for her, losing sight of her again from time to time, pacing beside her--all the time taking care not to unnerve or scare Chocho, in what seemed to be an existing state of pandemonium.
A dog which wanted to be free but completely clueless that all that we were doing was to protect her from harm. And Chocho, according to the security guards of the building, was almost knocked down by two vehicles--one of which a double-deckered bus--when she tried to cross a busy carriageway. A scenario that we feared to think about.
What ensued after Sunday was the establishment of even more troubled hearts and while we grappled with the wounds and aches sustained from Sunday's event, each of us was worried: Is she safe? What is she eating now? Where does she sleep? Has anyone discovered or seen her? Did she join another dog or a stray pack? Is she still within the area or has she crossed over to other parts separated by the highways and roads?
At least for me--I couldn't control my mental monologue series of speculations and the what-ifs.
A dog that 'outplayed' and outran us, but alas, clues of Chocho surfaced when A. caught news that others had actually seen Chocho on the loose in the estate; further clues that showed she'd returned to the doorstep and ate the food put out for her; and finally, a good confirmation that she was alive when they (the foster family) as a matter of fact saw her, our chocolate girl resting right on the doorstep. Cautious of her surroundings but seeking refuge in a 'familiar' place, even though it had only been one week since she settled in from a completely different environment and location.
We figured that the one week of routine did her good and helped provide her leads with which she managed to smell and track her way back home. A. was playing cautious with her cards and strategised to rebuild confidence in Chocho--hopefully influencing her to associate this very foster home as her source of food, water and a place of rest. And smartly, Chocho did return intermittently in the next few days.
After yet another failed attempt to corner her with human bodies, we engaged a professional dog catcher, who with methods unbeknownst to us, actually successfully and effectively captured Chocho in the wee hours of the morning.
And a burden was lifted from all of our hearts, stress disintegrated.
With due vigilance, Chocho is now watched over and taken care of by the foster and we are sure glad she's found a pal in the resident retriever, played chase with the alpha female and am showing all signs of guards lowered and submitting to the comfort and safety of her foster home.
Here's an update from foster family: -
Chocho is doing fine and I am so surprised that Gigi, my queen plays with her. She is not normally so relaxed about another dog i.e. play with them. The 3 of them were making so much noise playing in my living room over the weekend, Gigi, Diesel and Chocho. It is just so nice to see them happy, especially Chocho.
I think I have totally spoiled her with our choice of menu at home. Sorry, whoever adopts her will have to adapt to her style!!
I am going to give her a bit more time and probably do some basic training with her. We shall see how that progresses.
Now isn't this wonderful?
4 comments:
Held my breath as i read the "great escape" story, thankfully Chocho is back, safe and sound, in good hands. She is a very beautiful girl indeed!
OH MANNNNNNNNN! Choco is sooooooooo pretttttaaayyyy! WOW!Thank God she's safe!
YES she is! One of the neighbours actually commented that she has a unique coat, and that, well, she is unique!
YES she is! One of the neighbours actually commented that she has a unique coat, and that, well, she is unique!
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