Ok, that's a bit dramatic of a heading, but Widge insisted. You guys know how he is.... The story is totally true though.

I have been prompted to post it by my neighbors who thought this was incredible. I am so used to this odd little dog that I didn't think about it.

The other day, I got a call from my neighbor/friend across the street telling me that Widget was up on his back deck, scratching at his door and barking. He went outside, and as soon as he did, Widge ran down the steps and back across the street to the back of my house. This is a decent distance, as we all have 3 acre lots. My neighbor has a very bad back, so he was considerably behind Widget, so Widge kept circling back, making it obvious that he was to follow him.

He ran around back, up my deck steps and waited. When my neighbor got up there, he started barking again (I got to listen to all this, as we were still on the phone.) My sliding glass door was completely open. I of course freak out when I hear this, b/c I have 3 cats, and one of them is a Savannah, who I know I would never see again if he got lost. I am totally panicking at this point, thinking my other dog is lost, my cats are gone, did someone take the puppies, etc.

Widget at this point hops into his bed and sits there, just looking at my neighbor. I asked him to take cat inventory and they were all there, scared-looking (in cabinets, puffed tails, etc.) A few plants were knocked over and my horse's halter was moved...why, I don't know. Bottom line, everyone was home and safe and I don't know what the motive was.

After I had calmed down since everyone was safe, I started thinking about who would've done that, and we're pretty sure it was another neighbor who built the houses. He has a serious drinking problem and has been known to randomly walk into other people's homes in the past, and be so drunk he didn't realize he left the door wide open- not too slick. Apparently, he's very nosey and likes to snoop through other's homes. I guess I didn't lock the back door that day...although where I live, most people leave their keys in the ignition.

Anyway, I also wondered why he went all the way across the street instead of next door. Turns out the next door neighbor was at the house across the street, too, when he showed up on their deck. So, he may have gone next door and gotten no response.

The neighbor's wife says that they were all going ballistic at one point and she looked outside thinking I must've come home early; they are quiet except for when I get home. She didn't see anything, so whoever it was didn't drive there, which reinforces the idea that it was the drunken neighbor. Oh, would he have been sorry if his nosiness had meant I had lost one of my animals!!!

 Quote: Jenni Williams

(I got to listen to all this, as we were still on the phone.)

Widget has a cell phone?

It took me a while to realize you must have been at work when this happened. LOL. I was like, why would the neighbour call you to say Widget was there, and then go to your house? LOL.

WOW that is actually very smart of him. Find the nearest human who can take care of what he saw was a "problem". Luckily, your cats stuck around.

Edit: were any of the big dogs home when this happened? I can't imagine Caleb or Capri or anyone letting someone just rummage through your things?

 Quote: angela burrell

Edit: were any of the big dogs home when this happened? I can't imagine Caleb or Capri or anyone letting someone just rummage through your things?

I was wondering the same thing myself... though I do remember hearing about the very industrious "containment systems" Jenni has cooked up over the years in order to separate Caleb and the others... perhaps they were safely locked away in the garage or side yard runs...

Either way, way to go Widget!!
I love it that he just jumped onto his bed and settled down once he felt like he had sufficiently alerted the "authorities".

~Natalya

 Quote: natalya zahn

I love it that he just jumped onto his bed and settled down once he felt like he had sufficiently alerted the "authorities".

Exactly! "OK, I've done my job. Your turn, human." What a responsible, mature little dog.

Michael, I am holding you responsible if he wants one now. No, Widget doesn't have one. He'd be calling Mexico all the time. My neighbor has a cell phone though. ;-)

Natalya is right. Capri was in the walk-out basement w/her pups, well separated from the others, and the door was locked, and Caleb and Qira were literally locked in kennels. Qira learned all she knows from Caleb which is plenty, so she won't stay in a normal, commercial strength 6' kennel. I mean, who would? LOL.

Simon was in an outdoor, covered, locked run as well. I worry about someone stealing him.

I do usually have one loose "big dog" at night or when I'm home, but I see no need for them to potentially be at risk to be injured or killed while defending my empty house. If I'm there, great. Let the dog defend against an intruder. If not, let them take all they want; don't touch my dogs.

 Quote: jenni williams

Michael, I am holding you responsible if he wants one now. No, Widget doesn't have one. He'd be calling Mexico all the time.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Orderin' crap from Taco Bell with your credit card......

i-teléfono? Zarzamora?

Seriously, though. This kind of stuff really makes you wonder "what" dogs know and what kind of thought they are capable of.

Good job, Widget!:smile:

Hurray for Widget! That's one clever Chihuahua. (and finally, a pic of him...figures he's a black and tan )

I've posted pics of Widge before, Lynne. I bet it was before you joined the forum, though. He's my oldest (dog). He is a very spry 9 years old, and the older forum members have heard plenty about the little oddball. He is not neglected. He wouldn't allow it.

Yeah, Michael, it really does make you wonder. I am kind of nuts about trying to never underestimate them; I think they are SO capable of rational thought. My neighbor is a super nice guy, but he has a very old school outlook on animals. For him to say, in public, that it was obvious he was supposed to follow the dog and the dog wasn't going to take "no" for an answer means that there are no two ways about it; he went over there to get help.

I'm sure he wasn't nice to the guy who came in, but what's a 6lb guy w/only a few teeth supposed to do? I'm sure he and Matti were just ignored, although the neighbor's wife heard them flipping out along w/the big dogs.

I am so glad someone was home and he got help to close the door before I lost my cats. I'm sure they stuck around b/c they were scared and hiding. If the guy was drunk, that would probably scare them, which is why they were all in cabinets. Thank God.

Aaaaw Jenni...put him on your cell phone plan, he's earned it !!!

Good job Widget !!!!