Several years ago, I shot the lot out into the back garden, all five of them, and sat down to finish a column I was writing. It was amazing how quiet it was, I guess, because I could NOT believe how much I got done...

"Too quiet", as they say in all those old War movies.

Sure enough, side gate open, dogs gone...maybe about half an hour! Know the expression, "Scared S...less"? Well, I was so scared I was scared SPITLESS!!! My mouth dried so fast and so bad, I couldn't even call them!

Tore back in the house, called the SPCA, the Pound, the radio stations, grabbed some leashes, and headed out to HOPEFULLY find them . I flung open the front door, and there were the girls, arrayed casually on the steps, grabbing a few rays. They sauntered in, bewildered by my clutching and grabbing, and the tears!

But where was Tony...Off I went like a disintegrating rocket, and called, and ran about...chicken with my head cut off.

Suddenly I looked up the block, and there was the Mailman, and THERE WAS TONY, and they were doing the rounds. Postie would go up the drive to a house, Tony right along, back they would come to the street, next house, and on it went. I was transfixed.

The mailman spied me and with a casual wave, he comes over. Seems he spotted him trotting along, looking for all the world like a gentleman on a day out. He knew where he lived, and also knew he NEVER was on the loose. Not having a leash, but with a pocket full of dog biscuits, he offered a couple to Tony, and suggested he come along,knowing my house was just a few minutes away on his route.

"Well sure!", said the Tones.."free food, a pleasant walk, company, sounds cool".

I was so thankful...but the mailman was a little wistful.

"You don't think I could take him with me some days...he's such good company!"

I think it took the rest of the day, to get my heart back in order.

Story by: Yvon & Laurie Savoie