On The Loose

I awoke suddenly to my phone ringing on my bedside table. I slid the green icon over on the screen and accepted the call without seeing the Caller’s name.

“Hello,” my voice croaks into the phone.

“Hey,” the voice of my neighbor, Mr. Hernandez, comes through the speaker, “Rodney’s gotten loose and he’s in my back yard. I’ll keep watch until you get here.”

“Thank you. I will be there shortly.” I hung up the phone and quickly got out of bed.

“How did he manage to get loose and make it down to Mr. Hernandez’s house,” I wondered aloud as I quickly put on a sweatshirt over my pajama shirt and changed my pajama pants into jeans. I shoved my phone into my back pocket and pulled on a pair of slip-on shoes. Before I left my house, I made sure to bring Meghan with me. Being Rodney’s best friend, Meghan would help tremendously. Hooking Meghan to her leash, we left the house.

Thankfully, Mr. Hernandez’s house was only down the road. Being in the countryside, however, I had to rely on my phone light to see. As I continued down the road, I took in the cool summer night air and the various insects calling out into the night. Eight minutes of walking and we made it to my neighbor’s home.

“Mr. Hernandez,” I called as I entered the back yard and shut off my light.

“I’m here,” his voice responded. He was to my right on his back porch. “And Rodney is back there.” Mr. Hernandez pointed a finger further into his yard. His outdoor lights not helping to give away Rodney’s very location. Nevertheless, I began to walk towards where Mr. Hernandez pointed. I gave a thank you as I walked away.

Luckily for me, Rodney was large and old. Once I spotted him, he would be easy to take back home. He was also dark, so him being out at night made this search a challenge. Soon enough, I left the light’s reach and went back to using my phone light to see. As I slowly walked, I called for Rodney like one would a cat.

“Psst psst psst. Here Rodney! Here boy!”

I began to walk past a barn. As I did so, I heard a large exhale right into my ear before something warm and slobbery licked my cheek. Smiling, I turned towards Rodney and lifted my left hand and rubbed the side of my bull’s face.

“Hey boy. Let’s get you back home,” I said. I then took Meghan’s leash off her and allowed the Border Collie to steer the bull back home, with myself following closely behind.

Mr. Hernandez was back inside by the time we approached his porch, so we kept moving. Rodney gave a slow walk while Meghan darted from side to side, being sure Rodney did not stray from our path.

The walk back took longer with Rodney being with us, but fifteen minutes of walking and we were back at the farm. Meghan and I continued to lead Rodney to one of the barns to stay at for the night. I would fix his fence in the morning. After getting the bull into one of the pens, I gave Rodney a goodnight pat between his stubby horns. “Goodnight, Rodney,” I said and turned to walk back to the house.

As I was about to walk into the house, I heard a loud “Moo” from Rodney. It was as though he was saying goodnight to me. Smiling, I continued into the house, Meghan in tow, and closed the door behind me.