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Let me begin by assuring you: Poppi is fine. Better than fine, actually. She’s deeply pleased with herself, mildly annoyed that we didn’t notice she was gone, and 100% convinced she’s the neighborhood’s new mascot.
It started with popcorn. As in the leftover movie theater kind, I tossed onto the driveway for a fun little canine treat. Poppi, always a fan of both snacks and opportunities, saw this as her moment. She apparently had a few bites, then followed some scent, or possibly her bliss, down El Majon. A kind contractor, who must now be canonized in the Annals of Dog Rescuers, spotted her in the middle of the street. Poppi, never one to flee affection, rolled on her back, feet up, belly exposed, channeling her inner armadillo. Said contractor scooped her up and brought her to the gate.
Meanwhile, inside our house, we were secure in the illusion that Poppi was “with the other one.” I thought my husband had her. He thought I had her. Neither of us thought to look, and Olive, our other dog, offered no helpful hints. I texted my daughter later, in true dramatic fashion, “We lost Poppi today.” The kind of text that makes it sound like she’d moved on to the great kennel in the sky. Only later did I follow it up with the actual explanation, "She was found at the gate, tail wagging, a smile on her face, and roughly 100 sticks consumed". She’d met new people. She’d seen the world. She had no regrets.
Thanks to the ever-calm and capable Regina Knapp, who was gearing up to temporarily adopt Poppi, we avoided the indignity of having our dog sent away to Scottsdale Animal Rescue or posted on the community lost-and-found page by name. Sharla, our vigilant gatekeeper, also deserves a round of applause and perhaps some Advil.
Now, let’s talk dog safety because we pet owners have all had that stomach-lurching moment when we realize the house is too quiet and the animal is not where s/he should be. Sincuidados is surrounded by beautiful desert and winding roads, but it's not a safe place for pets on solo adventures. Even the most road-savvy dog is no match for a distracted delivery van. So please, double-check gates, lock side doors, and consider not flinging snacks into the driveway unless you're supervising like a Secret Service agent.
If your dog goes missing, here’s what to do:
- First, don’t panic (or do panic, but quietly and with a plan).
- Call the gate and report it immediately. The guards are terrific about keeping an eye out.
- Reach out to Regina Knapp, who can send a community-wide alert (and who now knows Poppi quite well).
- Make sure your dog wears a tag with your name and phone number. Apparently, county dog licenses are about as helpful as a paper umbrella in a monsoon. They won’t tell someone who your dog is unless you dig through a website with a serial number. A simple name tag? Far more efficient.
And finally, if your pup is already listed on the new Sincuidados Pet Page, thank you. If not, send your information to Regina at reginasincuidados@gmail.com. One paragraph, a photo, and your contact details are all it takes.
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