A Series of Unfortunate Events.

The past 24 hours has been exhausting.

24 hours ago I was hopping in the shower to get ready for a temple session.  I had the blessing of a 30 minute nap an hour earlier, and was looking forward to a nice evening with Bill and Tay.

I made arrangements for Shi to get to and from swim practice.

I told Mar the plan for the evening, and let her know to contact Lex (at the neighbors) should she need something, as we would be unaccessible for several hours.

The chapel meeting and session were EXCELLENT.  It was such a great feeling to be there with Tay, whispering our excitement about the near-future visit we would be making with him and Lynnea.  Once outside, a few lingering friends suggested we meet for cheesecake.  I, of course, was all over it.  Then we walked to our car, and the evening changed.

I checked my phone.  Four messages.  As I was listening to the first message, Taylor was also checking his phone.  The first message was Mar... could her friend stay longer than the designated time?...  Then Taylor said, "Lex left me a message... something about looking for Sadie."  

Sadie is the cute dog we've been dog sitting this week.  We're actually sitting two dogs.  I had a post all ready to go today (typed it Monday... so smart) about our adventures with these two not-quite-buddies.

I immediately called Lex (or did she call me?  I can't remember).  Sadie had bolted when her friends were walking out the door.  They tried to call her, bribe her with treats, and stay by her, but she ran.  And it was dark.  They hadn't seen her for a good 15 or 20 minutes.

We started the drive home, texting our regrets to those who would be gathering for cheesecake.

When we arrived home, Bill pulled into the garage.  He wasn't in all the way, probably because our intent was to quickly change, then head to the park where Sadie was last seen.  I, out of habit, hit the garage door opener on my way into the house.  We ran upstairs to look for flashlights and to change.  When I came out of my bedroom, my neighbor Rebecca was in the family room.  "Your garage door closed on your car... it was making a terrible noise..."

Sure enough, that garage door made the mother-of-all-scratches down the length of the back door of the car.  The garage door had stopped, half closed, wedged against the door.  

"Open the door," Bill instructed.

I put in the garage code.  The door started trying to go DOWN, rather than the desired "up."  There wasn't any time to process the damage.  The door, once stuck for a second time, started back up.  Bill climbed in the car and drove to the park, while I walked the distance in between.

We prayed and looked and looked and prayed.  Walking, driving, calling, bribing, whistling.
Until midnight.

No success.

We've spent hours looking today.  In cars.  On bikes.  Searching.  Still no Sadie.

We made signs, and posted them on mailboxes.

This evening I am feeling sick.  About Sadie.  About the car.  A black-hole pit in my stomach. 

I am exhausted.  I thought for sure someone would find Sadie today and call the numbers on her tag.  Nope.

I am still optimistic and hopeful.