Don’t Forget the Door

Bernie is a 3 year old golden retriever. He is always happy, fluffy, and cuddly. He enjoys his time with my family and his other dog friends. His favorite activity is running in the woods with my dad or swimming. On October 9th, 2024 I went to my car to look for something and left the door open thinking Bernie would come outside and run around the yard. I was looking for almost five minutes and was ready to head back inside. I got to the front door and didn´t see Bernie lying at the top of the stairs. I frantically search inside the house, in the family room, living room, my parent’s bedroom. He was nowhere inside. I go back outside and start calling his name. This moment of me walking the exterior of the house calling his name felt like an hour. When he hadn´t come, I called my mom with my face hot, and tears forming in my eyes. I told her ¨Bernie ran away¨. My mom convinced me to stay calm, continue calling his name, and grab his leash and treats. At this point it felt like another hour and I needed to finish school work and leave for school.

After I grabbed treats and his green leash I started walking up the driveway. Continuesly calling his name, he still wasn’t coming back. It wasn’t until I walked to our neighbor’s house, Sadie is the dog that lives there and is one of his best friends. If Sadie is walking by our house, Bernie will whine at the door or window because he wants to go play with her. They have run around our house muddy, or between the two lawns through the woods. As I approached Sadie’s house, there was Bernie staring at me next to their front door. He clearly wanted to go inside to see Sadie but I had to go to school. At this point it had been about 10 minutes but it felt like a year. He had met me halfway down her driveway as I called him. I put his leash on and walked back home.

Throughout the three years Bernie has been a part of our family, he has never had the best track record of not running at any opportunity. Once, Bernie was outside with my dad, and next thing he knows, Bernie isnt in the yard like he was supposed to be. We panicked and searched all around for Bernie, inside the house, the woods, the lawn, and eventually ended up in the car driving up the street. He was nowhere to be found. Suddenly, we got back to the front door and there he was waiting patiently, the good boy that he is had found his way back home. To avoid any agitation, always close the front door. Especially, if Bernie is your dog.

Featured Image: “Cute Golden Retriever” by Droid Gingerbread is licensed under CC BY 2.0.