It’s pretty rare that a doorbell rung at 3 AM means good news, but that’s exactly what happened in this story. A family that had been worried sick about their canine loved one was reunited with them in a rather hilarious way.

July 4th fireworks scare dogs.

Many people love fireworks on the 4th of July. Many others don’t, however. There are numerous negative consequences to fireworks displays. One of the most notable negative impacts is that they are terrifying for dogs. Many dog owners report their animals running away because they were terrified by fireworks.

A lab-Catahoula Leopard Dog mix named Rajah was spooked by a firework display in her neighborhood recently. She ran outside and ran away from her family in fright.

The family couldn’t keep up with the frightened dog.

Rajah’s owners, Mary Lynn Whitacre and Ryan Washick, tried to follow after their dog but she was too fast for them. They searched and searched for her but the frightened dog was nowhere to be found. She was likely hiding in an attempt to get away from the fireworks.

Fortunately for Rajah, her owners had her microchipped and she was wearing a tag with her phone number on it. Her owners posted to Facebook to say she was probably not too far from home.

Calling off the search for the night.

The couple drove all around their area hoping to find Rajah. Eventually, however, they decided they couldn’t search anymore that evening. They had to go home and sleep and then they could resume the search in the morning.

Then at 3 AM, the doorbell rang.

Rajah was at the door.

Imagine hearing your doorbell ring at 3 AM. What thoughts would go racing through your head? A 3 AM doorbell ring can usually only bring bad news but not this one.

This was as good of a surprise as anyone can hope to receive at 3 AM, it was their dog having returned home to them. It was Rajah who had rung the doorbell.

Ring cam showed Rajah rang the doorbell herself!

This wasn’t a case of someone dropping Rajah off, ringing the doorbell, and then bolting before someone answered. Rajah had rung the doorbell herself. Footage from the couple’s Ring cam showed she used her nose to ring the bell. What a clever girl!

When the couple opened the door they said Rajah looked very apologetic, as if she wanted to say she was sorry for running off when she got scared. Rajah’s humans were just delighted to have her back!

Did Rajah ring the doorbell on purpose?

Did Rajah purposely ring the doorbell? Or did her nose just happened to push the button in by accident? Either way, the result is the same. She’s home with her humans where she belongs.

What you can do to reduce your dogs anxiety over fireworks.

There are things you can do to help reduce your dog’s anxiety over fireworks. They include:

• Desensitize your dog to fireworks by playing fireworks sounds in the background while they are playing (You can use a YouTube video with fireworks desensitizing sounds like the one here.)
• Provide a safe space for them and stay there with them during the fireworks.
• Distract your dog with toys and treats.
• Wrap them in a Thundershirt.

https://www.facebook.com/marylynn.whitacre/posts/4219246264781295

Learn more about Rajah’s adventure in the video below.

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Source: Inside Edition/Mary Lynn Whitacre