Miranda Rights

Have you ever been awakened by a phone call? Has it ever been a phone call from the police? Well I have. But before I get into that let's back track just a bit.
Just over a month ago, I got a terrible message on my phone. It was just after the kids had left school for the day so I finally had some time to myself.

I checked my phone messages and this is what I heard. "Hi this is Julie. I just found your dog Pepper on Manchac. I'm taking her to my groomer's who has a kennel so she'll be safe. Give me a call." I was instantly terrified and immensely grateful at the same time. On the one hand this nice lady had seen my dog on a VERY busy street about a half mile from our home and taken her to a safe place. On the other hand there was no mention of Kya and where she was.

I ran out of my classroom to the car and headed home. I called Julie and thanked her profusely for saving my dog. I found out where the groomer was located and said I'd head over there ASAP. But first I had to know about Kya. My entire drive home I was looking on the side of the road, hoping that I wouldn't see what was once my dog. I called Nathan who was at work, who called a friend who was not at work to help me look for her.

I finally got home, ran to the backyard and yelled for Kya. Nothing. I yelled again, choking back the tears... and then heard the sound of running- in the neighbor's yard. There was Kya running up onto the deck in the yard next to me. We made eye contact and at the same moment we both ran. She to the side of the fence, and I to get her out of the neighbor's yard and back home.

What happened was this. The two dogs had found a weak board in our other neighbor's yard and got in there. Nathan and I suspect very strongly that that neighbor "excused" our dogs from his yard without any concern (or conscience). My other neighbor, Vicky, happened to be driving on Manchac when she saw a dog that looked very much like ours get into a car. As she turned on our street she saw Kya by the mail boxes and knew right away they had escaped. Being a nice lady, she hollered for Kya to follow her home... which she did.

Nathan and I fixed up the fence as best as we could. We thought it was full proof. We were wrong. This is where the phone call comes in. It's 1 a.m. and my phone rings. I'm so disoriented and confused, I don't answer it. As I laid back down on my pillow I thought I had seen a light coming in our window (which faces the backyard). I must be dreaming. A minute later there it was again. A BRIGHT light that permeated our entire bedroom.

We were both out of bed in a split second. As Nathan turned on the bedroom light, I peeked out of the blinds. "Your dogs are over here." Shouted a voice. We went out to the deck and got the whole story. Kya and Pepper found another weak board. This time it was into the neighbor's yard we back up to. All the poor woman who lives there heard was what sounded like an intruder. Of course she called the police. The APD headquarters tracked us down and that is who had called my phone. After we went and picked up the dogs I checked the message. "This is the Austin Police Dept. The police have found your dog Pepper."

Yes, the two officers who responded to our neighbor's call laughed at us. But it could be worse. At least our dogs are back with us and not in the slammer.