1.31.2013

January 31, 2013

White Dog heard the whimper first and went into the living room to investigate. I thought Quinn had gotten himself stuck in a corner or tight spot (he had been having a rough day) and listened to hear whether WD had gotten him straightened around.

The whimper became a cry and then instantly a howl...and it wasn't The Other White Dog's voice but YoYoMa's. I rushed through the doorway.
Do the math, Big Boy!
There was my biggest boy, under the couch up to his belly, and apparently stuck. WD stood there wagging and tiny little Oso was lying beside his hapless brother squirming to see what was under the couch. I sighed.

I tried backing YAWD out from his predicament but he cried out when I pulled. With my limited mobility I cannot get down on the floor but dragged the foot stool over next to him and stroked his side as I tried to calm him and see if I could bring him out by stretching him out and slowly working out his front legs then head. My poor boy was panicking and struggling at this point...and making things worse.

Of course, I was home alone. These things never happen when there are lots of resources to simply come and lift the sofa. White Dog and I puzzled out the situation. If I got the foot stool close to the side edge of the sofa, I could sit while using my upper body strength to lift the furniture, but what could we put under it then to hold it up so we did not risk hurting Yo?

While we thought, YoYoMa continued to tell us of his discomfort and unhappiness. White Dog paced and suddenly went to the front door and barked. It felt like a Lassie moment as i opened the door and she tugged at the recycle box where Steve had just the other day dumped the three copies of the yellow pages that had been left at the door ("Really, who uses these anymore?" was his comment). We were about to.

With phone books at the ready by the edge of the couch, I took a couple of deep breaths and looked at WD. Her look of confidence gave me strength and I reached down, grabbed the bottom edge, lifted, and at the same time pushed the stack of books under the edge with my foot. It raised the couch about 3"...enough for YoYoMa to escape.

But he didn't. He went deeper under the furniture until back legs and wagging tail were all that showed. I was yelling at him now, in frustration and anger. "WD and I just saved your life you ingrate! WHAT is it you want under there?" We could hear clawing at the edge of the carpet on the floor near the back wall.

Finally, he came out, just as I was seriously considering dragging him out by his tail. In his mouth was a dust bunny covered red fuzzy space ball that he had gotten for Christmas, played with until it rolled under the couch (weeks ago), and promptly forgot. He headed happily out to the yard.

White Dog and I were sitting together catching our breaths when Michael came home a bit later. He walked past us and sat on the still jacked up couch. It wasn't until after he got his coat and backpack off that he wrinkled his brow and said, "There's something funny about the couch today. Feels lopsided." White Dog rolled her eyes.

17 comments:

Tweedles -- that's me said...

its so scary when things happen sometimes- and especially when you are home all alone and no one to help you. I would have been so scared.
love
tweedles

Jo's World said...

It sounds like a good funny story to me. I am like you, I find a way to do things and feel good about it. So glad YoYo Ma enjoyed finding his ball (or should I say Bawl?)

Cheers to you, Sue, for just figuring out the way!

Jo, Stella and Zkhat

24 Paws of Love said...

Pardon my giggles but That's too funny! He scooted further under the couch!! Sounds like something my dogs would do!!

And you got to love those Lassie moments. :) Aren't they the best? GO WD!!

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Well thank goodness for sensible White dog. But seriously I was worried for you as know you should not be struggling. Thank goodness it turned out ok in the end.. Sheesh woofies... HUgs GJ xx

Brian's Home Blog said...

Oh my goodness! Thank goodness for that Lassie moment and Superwoman's strength!

Angels Amber and Max DaWeenie and Mom said...

OMD....If this wasn't so tragic, it would almost be funny. But we so understand your fear for Yo. Our Benji (RIP) did the exact same thing once and scared us to death!

bbes tribe said...

Wow! So glad things worked out OK and WD helped. Especially since you were home and had no one else to help. Had to chuckle though when seeing it in my mind and in hind sight it was funny.
Ernie's mom Barb

Random Felines said...

yep, mom snickered too....we KNOW it wasn't funny at the moment, but in hindsight, you have to admit it would have made good video. it is amazing that for all commotion, he was just happy to get the ball :) good job getting him out (and the ball)

Alien said...

LOL! Funny how he didn't spot the elevated couch.

Quite the adventure!

Yours,

White Dog Blog said...

We are all laughing now, too! Yo is such a big cry baby and then he HAS to get his toy before he is rescued! Boyz!!! Momma and I look up for a moment every time YoYoMa lies down next to the couch now but we are not quite ready to go the route of enclosing the open bottom with chicken wire as Michael suggested.

meowmeowmans said...

That sounds like it was scary at the time, but I'm glad it all worked out, and that everyone can have a giggle now. :)

KB said...

It does sound like a scary story but you used your ingenuity to work it out. I would've almost freaked out when Yo Yo Ma started scooting further under the couch!

Michael's wry comment made me grin.

Wyatt said...

What an ordeal...it's good to know that the yellow pages are good for something...BOL!!

Wyatt and Stanzie

bichonpawz said...

LadyBug did a similar thing on our first RV trip...at our very first stop...she had somehow managed to get herself squeezed UNDERNEATH the front passenger seat...I mean inside the framework of the bottom of the seat...I was totally freaking out and couldn't figure out what to do...so in the midst of having a nervous breakdown...she somehow got herself back out again...without us doing anything!! We still cannot figure out how she got under there...much less how she got out! Glad you figured it out!! xo Jeanne

FiveSibesMom said...

Oh, WDA dad is pretty funny! I bet you were scared, I'd be! My heart was racing just reading it! I remember when one summer our Harley got her neck stuck between deck rails...heart stopping.So glad he was "unstuck." Brilliant idea on how to do it, too!

Sally Ann and Andy said...

Wow, that was quite an adventure! Mabye y'all could get a couch cover that has fabric covering the gaps.

Kari in Alaska said...

Oh that so scary when it happens are you are home alone

Stop on by for a visit
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com