A couple of weeks ago, Paul went out of town for work. I took Reid to lacrosse, and we got home
around 7:40. The boys and I rushed in
the house, to begin the business of getting ready for bed. A strange sound rumbled from the back
porch. What was that? Was that Bo?
Growling? Couldn't be. I had never really heard him growl before. I wanted to investigate, but with bedtime
looming and the business of brushing teeth and getting into pjs, I became
distracted.
A bit later the boys were all tucked in and I went up to my
room to do some reading. I had just settled into
the pillows with the cats and a book, when Bo started barking like crazy. Sometimes he barks at deer, so I didn't think
too much about it. But then I heard
yelling in the woods on the property behind our house. I turned off all the interior lights,
checking all door locks along the way.
Then I turned on all the exterior spotlights. Bo was barking on the back side of the house,
so I went back upstairs, cracked a window, and watched Bo from my viewpoint,
listening carefully in between his barks.
Imagine my alarm when in the grainy darkness I could just
make out Bo chasing a pair of running legs down the driveway. I immediately contemplated my options. I knew it would take the sheriff a good 15 –
20 minutes to arrive, and then he wouldn’t necessarily be willing to go
traipsing along our land in the dark.
Instead I texted a neighbor, a federal park ranger, to see if he was
home. He called me right away, and said
that he’d come over to check things out.
Over the next hour Bo continued to pace and bark, but the
yelling and voices stopped. I got a text
around ten that said my neighbor was back home, that it was a long story, but
that he had taken care of the situation.
It wasn’t until the next evening when Paul returned home that we got the
full story. I think he didn’t want me to
be scared all night.
It didn’t matter, though.
I couldn’t sleep that night, and was up every hour to check on things. Know who else didn’t sleep? Bo.
Every hour I got up, Bo was sitting at the top of the driveway, quietly
keeping watch over the horse pasture. He
didn’t go to his snug bed on the porch once.
Even at 6:30 the next morning, he was still carefully keeping watch.
Our neighbor told us the next day that he had snuck up on
our land from the backside. Even though
he has encountered numerous crazy situations for his job on the Blue Ridge
parkway, he said even he was taken aback when he saw the man in our horse
pasture. Missing clothes, covered --
dripping in blood (like something out of a horror movie, according to the
neighbor), drunk and delusional, this is
the man our dear dog chased away. Our
neighbor detained him until the police and an ambulance arrived to take him
away.
It takes my breath away to think of how our sweet,
affectionate Bo protected his family that night, and then sat up all night
making sure the threat didn’t return. Some
people may think that Bo was lucky to get a new family after he lost his, and
flunked out of several other attempts at rehoming. But the truth is that we were the lucky ones
to get him. I can’t imagine a more
valuable fur friend than the one that puts his own life on the line to guard
his family. Had it not been for him, and
our neighbor, things might have turned out very differently. Not even a high tech alarm system could have handled the situation like Bo did. So guess who got a big batch of home cooked
bacon and a good dose of hugs the next day?
34 comments:
Gosh...who waz that man? It's very loyal and brave of Bo. You are so lucky to have Bo guarding the family
Our dog goes crazy when someone comes down the long drive way and I think she would bite someone if they didn't heed her warning. Sounds like you have a real good dog. It just depends on where a deputy happens to be so it could take 10 minutes or 20 minutes for someone to show up even where we live.
Pretty bizzare, I live very far away from everything, so like it when the dogs do bark. sometimes it is just a stray animal, and luckily no humans.
WOW. Speaks volumes of how Bo has bonded with your family and how grateful he is that you took him in. That was an incredible story. You were lucky to have Bo AND your neighbor to help rectify the situation.
Sweet sweet Bo! I tell everyone dogs are the best and you will never have to come home and wonder if someone is in your home. A dog will let you know something's up.
Back in Orlando, late one night, I was in bed asleep and Roxy and Rambo started barking and growling. They were about to go right through the sliding glass doors from my bedroom to my back screened in porch. Turned out someone had broken into our screened porch and grabbed Kyle's bike was carrying but, the dogs must have scared them off because they dropped Kyle's bike by the gate to our fenced backyard and were gone! Kyle and I were home alone at the time. Love our puppy dogs!!
So glad your neighbor was home and thank God for Bo!
Amazing! Way to go Bo!
What a neat --but scary story.... So glad that Bo was there to 'protect' his family... What did you find out about the man AFTER the fact? Would he have tried to break in???? Wonder what he wanted.... SCARY!!!!
Good for Bo... Glad he got a huge treat after it was over...
Is your hubby out-of-town quite a bit? If so, you might need to invest in an alarm system.
Hugs,
Betsy
Yes, thank goodness for Bo! I think all y'all are blessed to have each other, a good neighbor, and a dog who loves you! So glad the situation turned out well. Bo sure deserved that bacon! :)
Whew that was scary!! Yes I have had more than one amazing furry family member act in my lifetime. They are just the best! We have them for many reason but protection is one. As you put it an alarm system could not have done what your Bo did.
I am glad you had him and a good neighbor!
What a good dog! So glad y'all have him.
That would be so unsettling!!
Glad you were all safe-what a sweet dog :)
I am always surprised when our sweetheart of a dog has acted out that way. They love their families!!
This is the best story ever!!! We love Bo!
And Bo loves his family,,, It's so evident!
love
tweedles
oh, sweet boy. good, good, good dog. i fear for things like this... so glad the man was found and apprehended.
What a story. It's a good dog you have there. A protector for sure!
Yikes, you are so lucky to have found Bo and he you! I can well imagine the disturbance let alone the fear that he instilled...I told you...the good, the bad and the ugly!!...:)JP
Terrifying!
What a GOOD BOY! How wonderful of your neighbor, too, but what a dog you have.
Bo is Really Handsome . . . and, what a Great Pup. Thank you very Much for Sharing this story with us. love & love, -g-
ps - I'm so glad you're okay. What a Great Dog.
So did you ever get the full story of what and why?
Sounds like Bo is a keeper for sure and a damned good looking dog to boot!!!
What a good friend you are having who helps you in danger. Dogs are very thankful to humans...
OH my God! you are so lucky to have a loyal dog and a good neighbor.
Bo is a hero! And handsome too! So glad your neighbor knew what to do.
Fabulous boy! I used to walk an English setter - they are wonderful, loyal, loopy, affectionate dogs, and Bo is a fine example!
Good gravy. I'm so so so so glad you have him. And the neighbor too. He deserved bacon, without a doubt. What a sweet heart and a wonderful addition to your family.
Wow, that is the most impressive story I will hear all day! It sounds like you guys took in an amazing dog! I am happy when my dog gives me cuddles when I am sad LOL
Oh my GOSH! Sending you an e-mail.
This brings tears to my eyes. I'm so thankful he was on watch for your family. What a sweet and smart boy!!!!
I'm behind on the blogging, but we just took in a rescue ourselves....not sure if she'll ever protect us like your Bo did, but she is a sweetheart. So glad you shared this with us.
XO
I am so glad you all have an amazing dog and great neighbor. That sounds really scary.
This is just so heartwarming to read... Indeed, Bo and you both are lucky to have each other. The saying is true, dogs are angels on earth!!! Much woofs to him
Oh my gosh, Lisa, that is scary! You are indeed lucky to have a dog like Bo just as he is lucky to have a family like yours. I'm so glad Bo and your neighbor were there.
Lisa: This story had me on the edge of my chair! Thank God for you having such a caring and willing neighbor to help, and yes, what a nice dog. Truly. Glad it worked out.
Wow, how frightening! Bo to the rescue. I miss my childhood dog daily. One day when my mom decides to retire and stop working, we'll have another dog in the house. They truly make the best loyal companions and protectors!
That's a good post and I'm sure glad it ended as it did. There are a lot of mentally ill people out there, and they turn up in some unexpected places. Our local hospital now uses armed guards in the emergency room because "10-13s" are being brought in so regularly. Psychologically disturbed people, drug addicts having withdrawals, people "off their meds" can all get violent and are completely unpredictable.
I'm sure glad you and the family are ok.
You were lucky to have him! That was scary.
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