Adventures of Frank and Beans

That's what we refer to the pugs as. On Sunday, I would gaze out the back door with tears streaming down my face at an empty yard. We left the gate open all night Saturday and all day Sunday in hopes that we would see our babies sitting on the deck when we would look out. It was such an agonizing feeling. I know I said it earlier, but I cannot remember the last time I felt so sad. But then, there was the rescue. The adventure was as follows:

• 11:30 p.m.-Frankie and Emmitt escape at thru the open gate. No one took them out of the yard, although it is common in the 'hood.
• 11:42 p.m.-Nicki has panic attack
• 11:45 p.m.-Brent and Nicki jump in the truck with a flashlight to search.
• 11:46 p.m.-Brent gets out because Nicki is in hysterics and decides to go on foot.
• 12:00-4:00a.m.-The search is down every alley and street in greater north Waco. Not the best part of town to be. Many interesting folk to talk to.
• 4:01 a.m.-Brent comes in and retires. Sad and upset.
• 6:00 a.m.-Brent wakes up and shoots out of bed and runs out the door. Like a mad man on a mission.
• 7:45 a.m.-Nicki supposed to sing on praise team for 2 services. She calls and leaves the worship leader a crazy message full of sobs and something about a "family crisis--I am sorry I cannot sing." Then, calls Corrie with the news. Gets Corrie upset (an avid dog lover herself) and she and Ryan trek over and roam the streets talking to neighbors.
• 8:30 a.m-1:30 pm.- Make flyers and distribute all over north Waco while looking out for the pugs. I cry about 15 more times. I look like crap. We are discouraged and defeated.
• 1:31 p.m.-8:00 p.m.Decide we need a nap and the rest of the day to mourn.
• 8:30 p.m.- A sweet, sweet woman from SOUTH Waco calls and tells us she thinks she has our pugs! I scream! She said a man sold them to her in the Fiesta parking lot for $100 (how insulting). She takes them home and her husband tells her he saw the flyer. She brought them back to us.
• 9:00-I cuddle with my babies and praise the Lord for His mercy!!!!

Oh my goodness! It has been a whirlwind of emotions to say the least. I have learned a couple of things thru this crisis:

1. People are kind. (with the exception of the one who sold them for dope-that is an assumption and probably wrong of me to assume). I cannot tell you how many people are still calling me, random people, telling me they saw the flyer and have their eyes and ears open!

2. Keep the darn tags on the darn dogs.

3. I have the BEST friends in the world. Calls, searching, making flyers and crying with me. You guys are dabomb. Frankie and Emmitt felt your prayers!

4. Keep hope alive. I was not hopeful. Brent and his parents were as usual, eternal optimists thru it all. They prayed and told uplifting stories and sure enough...we got them. So, if this ever happens to you--keep hoping!! Trust, me, if I lose my dogs in my neighborhood and get them back, (albeit, they were sold on the blackmarket) you can get yours back too!

5. Look at flyers so other people can be reunited with their little yodies.

So, the picture I posted was the sweet and assuring reminder that when I look out my window today, things are just as they should be.