October 2002, Keith and I were visiting our parents. We stayed at my parents' home, which happens to be surrounded by a State Forest Park and a farmer with dairy and Black Angus cattle with acres of pasture. The dogs had spooked wild turkeys and deer that morning.

My parents forgot to tell me as we left the house to go shopping to double check the door latch on the Dutch door. Apparently, it had not been latching correctly and one needed to pull the knob to be sure it was latched shut. While we were away, a large storm blew in and blew open the bottom of the Dutch door with the knob. Now, this is where I had left the dogs - Keely and Doogan. There is a nice back door foyer with a laundry room for the dogs.

It had been pouring rain for the last two hours. As we drove in the garage after a 4 hour shopping trip, we noticed the door open. I called for Keely and Doogan. Keely came around from the back of the house and into the garage. She was soaking wet and glad to see us. I immediately started to call Doogan. No answer from Doogan. No sign of Doogan. Where could he be! Did he follow the cattle or did he start on a deer trail? Doogan and Keely are avid wildlife hunters, with 27 rabbit kills in my yard alone over the last two years. I also knew that Doogan could cover a great deal of ground in a short time. Where should I begin looking? He could be miles away!

We got into the car and I called his name out the window. We drove to the farmers' house to tell them to be on the lookout for Doogan. I had hoped that Doogan would be there since Keely and Doogan had once herded the dairy cattle back to their barn (1 1/2 miles away).

It occurred to me as soon as I realized that Doogan was gone that my emergency papers with the dogs' information and pictures were in my car back in Cleveland! How do you describe a Kerry Blue Terrier - particularly a wet one?

After a 20 minutes search, we drove back to the house, calling his name as we drove back. When we pulled into the garage, Doogan came flying into the garage. He was soaked, full of manure and sand with patches of fur and skin missing. He must have jumped through the electrified barbwire fence both ways! His tail would not come up for a week. We are not sure if it was from the electric shock or from a head butt from one of the cattle. It was clear he had been in the cow pasture though!

I am so glad that Doogan has the best "Come" command of any dog that I know of. I am sure that he was a good distance from the house since we could not see him anywhere. I am sure that he heard my calling and came home. Needless to say, it took four baths to clean out his coat. He has fully recovered from his adventure. I came home and immediately updated my emergency papers and pictures - made 3 copies of them. One for both cars and one set to leave at my parents' house. I also bought new collars and new tags engraved with additional information.

Whenever I use the "Come" command, I praise my dogs for quick, fast returns. I have one acre fenced. I can call my dogs anytime and they come immediately. I am so glad that I have trained this over the years. I never want to go through this experience again, but if I have to - I am prepared now! Keith, my husband wishes he had a "National Geographic critter cam" on Doogan so we could see what his adventure entailed.

I have attached a copy of my emergency papers as an example that you may want to use. I do take pictures of the dogs every year so I have a recent set of pictures.

I do pray no one will ever have to experience that sinking feeling in your stomach when you know your dog is missing. Please be prepared to help anyone find your dog.

Chris Brill-Packard
CH. Primrose Doogan's Bit-O-Blarney CD, CKC CD
Anker Away Keely Maiden CDX

Last Updated: 03/12/2004, 2:30 pm