Ludo's Leap

Last week, just a few days after the birthday cake incident, I took Ludo to the local park. She was playing happily with a couple of Labradors we often bump into, when their owner suggested we walk around the lake.

I agreed and we set off. I normally put Ludo on the lead when we walk round the lake, as it is quite narrow and there are often children/other dogs about. But as the two Labs were off the lead, I let her be. All went well until we were turning the final corner and one of the Labs went snuffling off in the bushes. Ludo followed her in. I called Ludo back but she ignored me. I peered into the bushes - just in time to see Ludo's tail vanish!

I hurtled into the bushes, crashing through to the place where I last saw her standing. It wasn't until I got there that I realised she had reached the top of a 4 ft wall marking the boundary of the park. And then she had jumped off it!!

Ludo was standing on the pavement, RIGHT NEXT to a really busy road, at lunchtime. Cars were hurtling past. I leapt off the wall, coat tails flailing, and walked towards her, shouting, "STAY" in my most deadly-serious voice. Thankfully, she stayed, and I managed to get hold of her and put the lead on, heart thumping in my ears.

That's the last time she ever goes off-lead by the lake. I nearly had a heart attack!