Aren't we all suckers for happy endings around here? This is not a tripawd story, but it's a survival story and involves my neighbor Greg, and I think it might make your week.

Greg's 16-year-old Aussie, Casey, vanished 11 days ago. He was visiting a friend a few miles away and Casey just wandered off, something she does not do. Casey is, as I said, 16, deaf, partially blind, under treatment for heart failure, and has some doggie dementia. Not a good candidate for a walkabout.

Greg sent out an APB 11 days ago and we've all watched and hoped for Casey. We assumed she became a coyote snack.

Holy cannoli, though, Casey was found today by a kayaker! She vanished where our major creek water supply runs into a reservoir, and the kayaker knew Casey did not belong there. He flopped her across his kayak, put her into his car, and drove her into town to the vet. Casey is with a neighbor now, as Greg is out of town. She will recuperate there. We all know each other up here, so the vet started her back on her way to healing with her heart meds. She lost 5 pounds but had water to drink. Now if she could only talk!

So here's a shout out to Casey the survivor! I think I need a drink just thinking about her adventure.

Shari