The scare.....

So we ventured to Nevada City, CA yesterday and I found it to be an amazing little town.  I had only planned to stay one night but desperately wanted to visit the shops and restaurants after driving through the small town.  I found a dog sitter/daycare in town and we made contact last night.  He was happy to take the boys at his home along with his dog Maggie.  The policy here where I am staying is dogs are not to be left in the room and even though I think they would have been fine, I didn't want something to happen and me charged some crazy fee.  Sooooooo.....off we went to Michael's house this morning for the drop off.   He has 1/2 acre wooded lot for them to run and the boys took to he and Maggie immediately.  And mama was off!!!  I realized when I got to town that this town doesn't really wake up til 11ish so some shops weren't open yet.  I found a few that were and started enjoying myself.  GREAT SHOPS!!  Some high end, some unique, some thrift and vintage...found myself in Solstice for while.  It is an eclectic vintage/consignment shop---best ever!!  I found a CUTE dress and  a pair of Ann Taylor PETITE red/white pinstripe pants for 18.00 total!!!  WOOOOO HOOOO....... after some success I made my way to the restaurant Ike's which was hopping... big local hangout and I see why---food was great.  Cajun/southern twist but breakfast looked amazing there also.  I got a half steak salad and Mac and Cheese!!!  There was enough for dinner too to yay!!  I found a few other musts for my upcoming trip to Italy also.  Michael had sent me a pic and text earlier in the day that they had just had a walk and the boys were doing great.   It was about 3:15 (told Mike I'd be back at 4ish) when Mike called and left a message.  I was in a dressing room so did not answer--assuming he was verifying my time, etc.   When I listened to his message, my heart sank and I wanted to vomit.  Monty had gotten loose and he had been trying to find him for the last 30 minutes.  I could hear the panic and desperation in Mikes voice and I was the one trying to stay calm.  Oh crap.......  this is not gonna be good.  For those of you that really don't know Monty, he is a hard core "smell" bird dog.  He has escaped a few times at home and Lori or I had to hop in the car and make chase.  YOU DO NOT WANT HIM TO GET AWAY.   And that's what I told Mike that morning.  They had just gone to the dog park and had a great time interacting with other dogs and playing ball.  He had made it home and coming up the bottom of his outside porch stairs when Monty bolted and jerked the leash from his hand.  He said Mont's bolted across the yard, nose to the ground and crossed the road.  He lives in a very wooded area, few homes and I just couldn't imagine Mont's finding his way back to a place he had really never been before.  It was only 3 miles from town to Mike's home and it was the longest I have ever driven.  I was going slow, every house I passed, looking for blurs of white, scared he would dart across the road.  My mind was thinking how close to main roads Mike's house really was when you cut through the woods.   I was crying.  I was thinking about what to do next...delaying my stay until we found him in this city! dog posters, etc.   I have never been in this situation and never want to be again.   I prayed.  And as I turned into Mikes driveway, there was Mont's...Tongue to the ground on the steps he had bolted from.   I couldn't believe it and started crying more!  He ran up to the car, leash still around his neck, SO HAPPY to see me.  I have never seen him that winded/adrenaline filled since I've had him.   It took him a good hour to stop breathing like that, even after we rested there at Mikes and then back to the inn.  I called Mike, who was somewhere in the woods, a mile from his car he said. He immediately thought I would hate him, wanted to refund my day and so on.   I didn't blame him at all.  It could happen to anyone.  I let Jackson out of the house as Mike had put him inside when Mont's bolted.   It was a definite reunion!!  We were all a happy PACK again!!!  I was just so thankful.  Mont's has been a little needy since we've gotten back, I definitely think it scared him a little.  Wow, what an end to a good day!!!!  It could have turned out so differently.  And I can't imagine what I would do.  It's one thing when you know your dog is dead/gone...but to think he is just lost and could be so close to you and you don't even know it....never want to experience that again.    BUT THE TOWN WAS GREAT!!! Highly recommend it.....