We have a small house dog which has been around forever and is very much a part of the family. He is a small male Schnauzer, poor eyesight, poor hearing etc. He is the last of our one time trio of these little dogs.

Yesterday he disapeared. I let him outside as usual to wander around for a while and do his things. He usually goes up to the dirt road near our house and eventually back to bark at the door. He became way overdue.

The weather here in the Blue Ridge has been cold and rainy and today was especially raw. I went out in my truck and searched for about an hour. Calling and whisteling, talking to neighbors and anyone who whould listen.

I stopped at the nearby Animal Hospital but they are closed on Wednesday afternoons.

I kept up the search until full dark, and I had to stop.My wife had come home and was beside herself. She called everyone in the area.

Our big fear was that he would get on the main road and be struck by a car or truck. This is farm country and that road is travelled by trucks, tractors, cars, and is dangerous for a little dog lost.

One neighber suggested we call the Animal Hospital first thing in the morning.Neither of us could sleep. It was as though a child was out in the cold. Bad dreams.

At 9:01 this morning, my wife called the Hospital and told her story.. Nice girl named Chrystal said, "Yes, I have him. He came to my home yesterday and barked to come in. So he spent the night and I brought him with me this morning" They had wrapped him in a fuzzy blanket and fed him and spoiled him with love.

My wife wasted no time in retreiving him. He came home, ate all his food and slept all day.

He had traveled almost exactly 1 mile in awful weather, on a dangerous road, went to Chrystal's house where she happened to be home as the Hospital is closed only on Wed. PM.

She said,"The angels must have walked with him". I think Chrystal was one of them. Jim

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