July 26, 2011

White Dog settled next to me after it was all over and said, "I guess you are going to tell me this is a perfect example of being careful what you wish for, right?"

Steve had stopped home and was just getting ready to leave when the police car went madly dashing down our residential street with its lights blaring and siren on maximum volume. We heard the helicopter circling the neighborhood. The White Dog Army was suddenly dragged from their "I am bored" lethargy. "Some thing's up," Steve prophesied as he headed to the car. He poked his head back inside to say, "Strange, but there are police cars barricading the end of the block, guess I will just have to go the other way." The pups were moving toward observation points, now.

As Steve backed out of the drive, he was stopped by the police who would not let him travel down the block in either direction. He explained that he was going to work but it was only after he agreed to let them thoroughly look through Pumpkin that they let him out past the barricade. All other traffic was being stopped, including pedestrians and bike riders.

The White Dog Army went on red alert when the rifle armed policemen started moving to the house kitty-corner across the street from us. White Dog was suddenly at her perch. Quinn took the front door. YoYoMa, Nuka and Puff came to stand surrounding me. All had hackles raised and were growling. I was getting a little nervous.

The phone call to Steve yielded no insight. They had told him nothing when they searched the car and he was a bit unnerved upon hearing our update and the White Ones barking in the background.

Nine policemen, weapons drawn and six with rifles were surrounding our neighbor's home (they were not home). A SUV was parked on their grass and the speaker was imploring who ever was inside to come out "with arms raised, hands open, and to lie down immediately in the grass." No one came out. The WDA stood stalwart. The helicopter continued to buzz overhead and the SWAT guys arrived in an armored vehicle. The lawyer's office two doors down was evacuated; the homes immediately next door were already empty as both families work. The amount of weaponry in view was scary. White Dog and Quinn did not tear their eyes off of the action for a second and the others crowded me like a furry shield. I was glad Michael was oblivious in his room.

A police dog was brought to the scene and released. The pups reacted to his presence with more agitation as he ran sniffing around the perimeter of the house and then expanded his scope to include the house one door further down. He was clearly indicating something in the surrounded house but also was VERY interested in the house next door. The police split up and went to the second home. Guns still at the ready. The SWAT police brought out belaying ropes. There was no response to come out at the second home but the police entered (either they picked the lock or knew where the owner hid a spare key) with the dog and were inside quite sometime. But they came back out and from the yard with no one in custody and returned to the first home.

After 2-1/2 hours the action was over. Nothing had happened. Steve said in a check-on-us call that it was being reported that whomever they sought was believed to have escaped down the busier street nearby. For the first time in 2-1/2 hours the WDA relaxed and released their focus. Nuka RAN for the doggy door (and potty relief, I bet).

We live in a pretty upscale urban area near the University of New Mexico. Not huge modern houses but classic homes that the owners have loving spent lots of money restoring. the neighborhood is chic and trendy, but quiet. Armed police and barricades and SWAT protection are not the fabric of our everyday lives. It was excitement that I could live without. We still don't know the story of what had happened or who was being hunted but we are grateful the action has moved on.

It was amazing how WD, TOWD, AWD, SAWD, and YAWD stepped into place and guarded me during the situation. From their stances all meant business and all were aware special behavior was in order. I knew without a doubt that everyone of them would have put themselves in danger for my safety. It made me feel secure but teary; I could not fathom the pain if anything ever happened to one of them in my defense. I was lavish with jerky rewards and hugs.

Periodically, one or another of the White Dogs will check to see everything is still quiet. But they too, had enough excitement for one day and now that their adrenaline has worn off are once again peacefully napping under cool streams of air.