LOST IN THE DARK
Last night Tane disappeared into the dark. I was on the phone talking to the airlines looking out the window. And as I talked I watched the poor old hobbly pig walk out in the gathering dark – the wrong way. I had a flight booked to California next week but there are four days of snow predicted for next week so I decided to give myelf a break from the tension of wondering if I would even get out of here and up to the city and called to put the trip off a week. ( Knowing full well that if I change all my plans to suit the weather the weather will change all its plans again). Ah well.
However to even get to the airport I need to catch two trains (let alone drive up to the train station) and dragging my suitcase through frozen snowy streets to change trains aiming at an airport that may just close on me when I got there, was not a nice idea. Changing ticket ahead of time was easier all round.
As usual, it took some time on the phone and from the window I could see Tane hobbling about out in the field looking for corn but the nice lady in Arizona worked everything out for me so I could leave the following week (it is points travel so they are happy to help) I said thank you then proceeded with dressing for the outside, putting on all my outside clothes plus another layer as it was very cold and very windy. (It is 4F/-16C as I write).
My torch has long since disappeared so I turned my little cell phone light on and slid it into the top picket of my worn farm, pocket leaving me hands-free. Ton and I left Boo inside. This was a Search and rescue mission and Boo is a nuisance when we Search and Rescue.
So I closed the door on Boo, put on my boots then turned to direct Ton but he was gone. Of course, he knew who I was looking for and like a silent stealth arrow he had disappeared into the dark after the pig. Leaving me no clues as to direction. Gone dog. Gone pig.
Without my dog I looked in the wrong place. I searched the barn, his bed and the fence lines and favourite resting places but he was nowhere. Then I walked out into the frozen empty huge 100 acre field.
It was dark, the beautiful moon had not yet arisen but it was getting colder I did not have time to wait for said moon so I started to methodically search where he had been seen last.
This little crippled kunekune boar surely could not have got that far I reasoned. Up and down the East end of the field I walked calling both Tane and TonTon. The absence of Ton told me that he was with Tane so I knew at the very least he was not alone. Pigs do not have very good vision at all. They can see but do not focus as well as cats or dogs. Tane needed a guide dog. 
Vision
Pigs do not have particularly good vision. Their sensitive hearing and good sense of smell makes up for their poor sight. Pigs have colour vision and a panoramic range of about 310 degrees and binocular vision of 35-50 degrees however it is thought that they have no accommodation, which means their ability to focus is limited.
My theory is that pigs have such a fine sense of smell and hearing that their vision came an evolutionary third.
Anyway, I was fairly sure Tane was lost. It was very dark. Both the other little pigs were long in bed by dusk. The pigs never stayed out in the night.
After searching and calling for some times – real worry and the cold were settling in. But they were out here somewhere so I continued my solo grid search. Ton suddenly appeared out of the dark on the edge of my own vision. Watching me closely and silently.
Thanks Gods, I said. He turned to run.
Wait! I called, He waited while I went to stand beside him.
Find Tane, I said, and off he shot out of his cannon, straight East, into the dark. Down, I called just before he was gone again and saw his shadow drop way up ahead. When I reached him his head was stretched straight out to where he knew Tane to be. TonTon’s version of ‘on point’.
Ton has a terrible habit of going to find the lost animal then sticking WITH IT. Not coming back for me. So I could not let him out of my sight again.
So we did this again: Find Tane, then Down. Again and Again. Soon he was just running ahead a fair way and then going down to wait even before my command. Looking from me back into the long darkness as he waited for me to arrive. Such a slow human.
Slowly but surely he led me in a straight line right back across the frozen rutted field of ploughed corn stalks. Right to the other side of the field. He took me to the edge of the field all the way West and almost to the ditch and there was Tane hobbling along, going very, very slowly in exactly the wrong direction.
After Ton had a good pat and a good boy, Tane got a good pat and a Go Home. I turned his body physically and pushed him in the correct direction.
My pathetic light casting a lit pathway back to the farm, we commenced our long walk home. Tane leading and Ton, holding a corn stalk, following him and me in the rear shining the light. At one point I looked at the screen of my phone, turning off the light to check something as we walked and immediately the pig stopped and called out. He could not see anymore. His confusion was obvious. Turning his big head back to me. I shone the light back in our direction and off he went like a little wind-up pig. He went at a reasonable speed too, dragging that back leg behind him.
He was so relieved that he was back on the march with his pack.
It took a long time to get back to the farm in the cold wind. But we were all warmed by success.
On the way into the barn, I smashed the top of his water bowl, it was already iced up hard, he sunk his big head and had a big drink. Once he was in his house I covered him up with his blankets and more straw and he settled into his bed munching on his hay. Grunting softly. His rooster clucked and his cat slid in over the gates and settled beside them. Tima said nothing at his arrival just snored a little softer and wriggled a little lower. Like all snorers she sleeps deeply.
I left the lot of them warm and happy and Ton the hero and I went back to the house. for a hot drink.
I bet Tane sleeps in this morning.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Love celi
43 Comments on “LOST IN THE DARK”
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What a saga! So glad it had a happy ending. Ton is a treasure.
Ton did such a good job and now we will continue the “lead me to him” training. Usually that bit can be tricky.
I can only say:
Hey, diddle, diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon;
The little dog laughed
To see such sport,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.
I bet Ms TIma had a few good words with Tane during the night about gallivanting around…..
She didn’t care as long as her hot water bottle buddy was back!
Oh poor Tane if you had not seen him waddling past the window it might have been a very sad story…Well done to Ton for being such a good obedient tracker (crikey, I wish my dogs were like that)…anyway all’s well that ends well……lots of love
I always check that they are all in for the evening – isn’t Ton a good fellow.
Your pups truly are treasures!
Oh, the joys of farming!
Yes ! I know!!
What possessed Tane to up and out in the dark, had somebody left a gate open? 🙂 I love how Tuesday and Denis still hang out together. Laura
Tuesday and Denis? The gate is always open for the pet pigs – they come and go at will in the winter when there are no gardens to destroy! c
Poor little Tane and well done Ton Ton (and you of course). It makes me wonder if the cows told Tane about the mythical buffalo stash of corn, out on the prairie…
Those darned buffalo – still causing trouble.. c
Oh boy, scary. I was afraid your phone would lose battery power! Great story and I’m so glad it ended well.
That would have been annoying – esp with the moon so late in rising last night.. c
Phew! I was holding my breath as I speed read through this to make sure all turned well. I’m so glad all are OK and safely home. Ton Ton is such an amazing dog!
It all turned out ok after all ..
I am shivering just thinking of your walk in the cold. That poor little piggy. California is having a hot spell.
It is not too cold once you get used to it – but you know all about that from your travels I think!
What a relief that you and Ton rescued Tane and got him back to his warm bed and his own set of companion animals.
They are all very sweet how they have their own “beds” c
Thank Goodness you saw him leave! Silly old Pig.
It is very unusual for him to go back out so late in the evening – he must have lost his bearings – and his legs don’t always go in the direction he wishes them to.
Stroke of luck for Tane. Poor pig! Because of your dedication and Ton’s skill, a happy ending. Thanks for starting my day off on a happy note. Warm thoughts!
have a lovely happy day.. c
Lucky, lucky Tane. That you saw him go, that Ton had the skill and intelligence to find him, that you got to him before the cold crippled him into immobility out there in the dark. It sounds like the second half of Find Him, Fetch Me training is just what’s needed for that brilliant dog.
That Ton – I need to lock that dratted Boo up more often and train Ton more often –
Ton doing his work. So fascinating. Have a beautiful day. (This winter has been very windy don’t you think? Seems more so than usual and I have found it very unsettling).
I agree – we have had way more wind than usual too – it is not nice for the animals either..
These stories you relate are like reading those of James Herriott. This was a great one, have you thought about hardcover publishing some or all. They’re so good.
Yes, I agree ❤
Oh they are quite ordinary really – fun to live though
No they aren’t quite ordinary at all. The training you have given Ton has paid off so many many times. So very impressive–both you and Ton. That you taught him Down and Wait.These stories really are book-worthy. James Herriot, my hero! That poor little tyke Tane! This could have been a disaster! He could have frozen out there all night.
It was a cold night last night too – that nasty blowing frozen wind
That Ton is such a good dog. So glad Tane got back safe and sound. 😊
So Ton was carrying a cornstalk this time, rather than the usual stick, eh? Such an intelligent doggie you have there! Just love to see dogs working – their intenseness, ingenuity, and instinct are something to behold. Super job you two! I feel for Tane, as I don’t see well in the dark either. Being disoriented, cold, and alone is awful! So glad you are all back safely without mishaps – today is a brighter day?
Clever Ton and lucky you and Tane to have him around.
Good old Ton! I’ve taught Mirrhi…. border collie/cattle dog mix, imagine having Ton and Boo in the same body !…….to ‘speak’, so when I call her and say ‘speak’ she does and I know where she is. Sometimes I forget I’ve shut the chook pen gate to keep the wild birds out, so when it gets dark the chooks roost all round the yard, so Mirrhi’s like Ton, a shot out of a cannon as she races around finding each one. I can’t see where she’s gone so ‘wait and speak’ work well. Glad Ton was safe.
Good dog! What a great story! Glad you nor Tane froze your bacon in the cold….
I am so glad this adventure has a happy ending. What a fright Tane must have had not being able to find his way back home. Ton is such a grand dog and I’m sure he is very proud of himself for work well done. You are a good trainer of all creatures.
Awww such a good dog Ton is! And lovable Tane is so sweet- glad all was well in the end! And good on you for being you. Lovely ending.
Amazing story, -and just lovely on so many levels – I’m so glad you write as well as farm and love, so that we can all share the beauty of this amazing life you lead with all your creatures, great and small, the halt and the lame !!!!
You are amazing! What a girl … well done Ton!