2:30am, are you kidding me?

About 2:30am (give or take a few minutes that blurry eyes can't see well), Neil thinks he hears something scratching on the door. He almost didn't get up, but decided he better go check what he thought he heard. He opened the front door and there was MAX the dog. I didn't hear anything, not even Neil getting up, but I heard the click-clack of his feet on the floor. He found his way home - crazy dog. He drank a huge amount of water and he was really smelly, but he's home. We were quite surprised. We really didn't think he would have come home. The boys were sure happy to see him in the morning. He slept most of the day, but the boys did take him into town for a bath and nail clipping. It's still a little cold out for cold water bath outside and he needed his nails clipped anyway. So, it was worth the $25 to have someone else groom him. He got a $5 discount for being so well-mannered. He's a very nice dog and we are glad to have him home.

Some more of the story: On Monday morning first thing we had called the city to see if any dogs were turned in over the weekend - brown boxer with a blue collar. They said yes. So, the boys rushed down there and they saw a picture and it wasn't him. It was a light brown colored pitbull with a blue collar. So, that was really disappointing for all of us. The boys were very sad that it wasn't him. On Saturday, Gunnar had put a dog bone on the front porch in case Max came home "he could catch snack". We left it there all day Sunday. On the way out the door Monday when we thought we found him, Gunnar took it with him to give to Max. When it wasn't him, he left it in the truck. Gunnar gave it to him today though after his grooming appt. This morning (not sure exactly when), Gunnar had moved Max's bed right next to the bottom bunk so that Gunnar could lay on Paden's bed and be close to Max. The boy really loves his dog. He was sad while he was gone, although he didn't cry, but he's really glad to have him back.