Thank you for all the birthday wishes!

I have to share my adventure today, because it made my birthday even more special.

My husband and I were driving to a tiny beach town to relax, miles away from home, and we were on a busy highway when traffic slowed down. We saw a lost dog wandering in and out of the cars, and my stomach just sank - the outcome was not going to be good for that dog. The cars were trying to avoid hitting him, and my husband instinctively pulled over and we both opened our doors. But how were we get the dog off the highway?

Before we knew it, he came straight over to our car, jumped in, and sat right down on my lap! The poor thing seemed exhausted, but very very friendly and well-looked after.

We quickly closed our car doors and looked at each other - now what? Luckily he had a collar with a name, owner's name and local phone number, and we called - but the number was out of service! My mind was racing with the possibilities - what if someone was moving out of the area and didn't know the dog had gotten out of the car? Worse - what if someone was moving and had dumped the dog? We decided to keep driving to the next little town and try to find someone who could help us.

We parked in front of a small cookie shop and used the strap from my computer bag for a leash. (Yes, I take work with me, even on vacation, on my birthday. Sad.) I ran in and told the women working there what had happened. One of them came right outside with me, and told me there was an animal shelter about 20 miles away, but since it was Sunday we weren't sure it would be open. She went back inside and brought out a phone book, then suggested we look for the owner's name in the phone book. What a great idea!

There were only two people with that last name. One of them did not own the dog, and the other was an answering machine. We were looking up the shelter to call, when my husband's phone rang - and it was the owner! Apparently he was related to the person we left the message for, and had called him! The owner was at work, and didn't even know the dog had gotten out. He was so happy we had the dog, and said he'd send his girlfriend to come pick him up.

We hung out for about an hour and finally she showed up, very thankful. She drove off with the dog, and the people in the cookie shop gave us free cookies! (INCREDIBLE cookies - the Brown Butter Cookie Company in Cayucos - they're on the internet.)

I felt so happy the dog was safe and reunited with his "people." I tell you, that really was the best birthday present I could ask for. He looks very fierce in this picture, but he was a total sweetheart!