Pictures: this moment

[Spike188]

No rest for the wicked is the old saying. Whoa is me! After months of gathering parts and machine shop delays everything came together between Christmas and New Years. Thursday afternoon when arriving at my brother-in-laws shop to press fit bearings, Laura's, my niece, 2 dogs gave me an "intruder is here welcome". Only the dogs were at the shop so they cowered under a desk and barked. After locking up for a parts run and returning with an arm load of boxes it was expected that the same hound welcoming committee would still be under the desk. Picture keys in one hand, cradling boxes in the other arm, and holding the door ajar with a foot.

Mabel took one look at the open door, glanced at me, and hurled past the 1/4 open door. Once outside, Mabel looked back at me very briefly, then headed south, toward home, faster than I could run. That was Thursday about 2:30 pm. She crossed the street and disappeared over a grass covered embankment. My heart sank. Animal rescue told us that this breed of dog reverts to is wild nature after 24 hours, will stop responding to its owners, and become extremely skittish. It was 2 miles from home, in a high density industrial transitioning to high density residential area. Within an hour it was sighted about a mile from home. Mabel was not spotted again until 6 am Friday morning and again once in the afternoon. Animal Rescue set up traps at the shop Friday night without any luck. Saturday afternoon Laura, and others spotted Mable as close as a 1/2 mile from home before backtracking as far as a mile from home, mostly hanging is wooded parkland. Saturday afternoon more baited cages were set up.

At 4 pm this morning the camera in one of the cages signalled activity as Mabel entered.

She is back with Laura.

[RoamingGnome]

Good to know she made it back safe and sound... That should make for a much happier New Years !

[Eugen]

My heart sank when I started reading. Really glad she's home safe.

[Spike188]

Our cat, Ghost, recommends putting Mabel on probation with and ankle bracelet. Ghost should not be giving advice while purched on the kitchen table.

[JSinMO]

My heart sank when I started reading. Really glad she's home safe.

I had that same feeling. @Spike188 that was really lucky she got back home. Ghost probably just figures the dog won’t be a bother if it’s under house arrest!

[MattA]

Done!

[Spike188]

@MattA I like the looks of the black blower, weights, and cab flaps. You have a nice looking unit.

[MattA]

I've also got three 42lb suitcase weights on the hydravac bracket. I don't use my weight box anymore since it interferes with my hydraulic PTO. I'll shoot some more pics soon.

[JSinMO]

13F outside, I think my dog has the right idea! We’re going to hang by the fire today.

[Eugen]

That looks sooo cozy Jeff! Good on you!

I've spent quite a lot of time outside today, with the kids. We like the snow. I even got some seat time, the kids wanted to pile up snow so they could play king of the mountain and I could not refuse using the loader