Akila is gone.
Last Saturday, I was spending time on the patio, petting Akila and playing fetch with Jake. When Jake and I went into the yard to play ball, Akila could see us through a gap in the hurricane fence. The poor creature was so anxious to join us, she head-butted a loose board until she moved it enough to slip into our yard.
Although surprised (and unhappy, in Jake's case), we all just continued playing fetch. For a dog who never had any training, Akila understood the concept innately, getting the ball and bringing it back to me, if not giving it up very readily. She was incredibly hyper - jumping on me and racing around the yard in circles, particularly if Jake happened to get the ball. It was typical puppy behavior, but magnified to the Nth degree.
After about a half-hour, I decided she needed to go home, so I tossed a puppy biscuit through the opening in the fence and replaced the board, smacking it into place with my hand. I kept tabs on her the remainder of the weekend, but did nothing to encourage more visits.
The following Monday, I was getting dressed for work and had just let Jake out prior to leaving. A flurry of activity caught my attention. Akila had moved the same loose board and was in the yard, racing around Jake.
Unlike my neighbor, my yard has a vinyl fence on one side with spaces big enough to easily permit Akila to pass through. I couldn't leave her in my yard and hope that the neighbor would notice her absence and come do something about it. With a sigh, I went out to corral the large puppy and send her back to her own yard. She was so excited to see me, she jumped and lunged, tearing my clean shirt and nearly yanking down my shorts. The poor thing was just so attention-starved! Still, she had to go home. The cookie toss didn't work this time, so I had to physically push her through the fence. Then, at 6:45 a.m., I pounded fresh nails in the fence to keep her there and keep her safe. I hoped.
After a quick shirt change, the rest of the day went as usual; I took Jake to daycare; I went to work. Eight hours later, I picked him up and we came home. I immediately went out to the patio see Akila. She was gone. No sign, no whimper, no Akila. I got on a ladder and peered into my neighbor's yard to make sure she wasn't lying sick or injured. Nothing. All Monday evening, I waited for the neighbors to come home so I could ask. I finally gave up around 11:00 p.m. I heard them come home as I was dozing off to sleep.
And so, I have no idea. My neighbors are never home to ask. I can only hope they found a good home for her and not some shelter or worse, the local dog pound. I have checked all those institutions' websites for some sign of her, to no avail.
Wherever you are, little dog, be happy and healthy! I'm so sorry your formative months were absent of love and nurturing, discipline and instruction. Have a good life.
