It just so happens...

we did have a small dog visit our home late July 4th about 2am. Thoughts raced, where was our kennel? How would we catch in the middle of the night? Would he/she come to us? Did he smell our dogs? Was the dog a visitor of neighbors? Then prayed the dog would lie down near tall grass and wait til day break. Then we heard nothing. Prayers were with this little friend that had called for help. Rest was depleted.
Fireworks were plentiful and all creatures were looking for a place of safety. Ground shook from the big BOOMS of the display. Imagine fear.

Big boom display from our home

Up at 6am as usual, we were out looking and listening for our early greeter. With a soft whistle we heard a bark. Third time was the charm asking him to come to us...he did. Out from a neighboring pasture of tall prairie grass walked a small dog about Busters size (Westie). Walking and softly talking towards him with food and water, phone ready to call the owner. Hearing no tags, he saw me, he walked through the neighbors yard and headed up the hill. I didn't take chase, the dog knew us for a bit of comfort, but fear was evident, after all the dog didn't know us. Contacting neighbors about the dog, giving description. Unable to photograph, a description was necessary turning to an online "group" through Facebook. Baking dog treats, often going out calling for the dog. The heat was horrible, placing cool water out under a shade tree, in hopes that the dog would return.

Checking our post often, we got a hit about 4:30pm. The dog, if it was the same one, had been running for two days, just 3 hours after the dog was placed in a local kennel, fireworks scared the dog and off he took. He's from Iowa and could I call a family at a location. We did, they were just down the road and at our home in minutes. Showing them the path taken early morn, I had gone in for a container of cool water and found them calling for their dog atop the hill. When the dogs girl called again did I spot a bobbing head running through the tall grass. Disbelief crossed their faces. Water given, happily drained by a very thirsty pup. The dog father said he didn't have tags on, but the leash was still with him. He had run for several miles, across a busy highway, not getting caught, that we know of,  from the loop of the leash. His name is Ledger. Family united. Offer of thanks and hugs, dog hopped in the van and stayed. He wasn't going anywhere but home.

Devastating as it could have been, someone is always watching over us. Heart lifted, we choose to help and someone connected. Blessed all around.

Have a great week, help those that come looking, from phone call to dish of cool water. Lets get these critters to safety. Thanks.