Off The Record
Our Dog Woke My Wife In The Middle Of The Night—What We Found Out Still Haunts Us
Semy, the Family’s Guardian
Home nights were always quiet. We lived in a peaceful neighbourhood where kids played fearlessly in the street and neighbours greeted one another in the morning.
We followed a straightforward routine: we had supper together, watched a little TV, and then went to our own rooms when we were exhausted.
While our one-year-old daughter, Camila, and six-year-old son, Emiliano, slept in their own rooms, my wife and I shared the master bedroom.
But everything changed that night.
The hush was particularly deep on this particular early morning. The only sounds I could hear outside were crickets chirping and the distant buzz of automobiles.
I attempted to sleep, but I was fatigued, and my wife slept soundly beside me.
Our chocolate Labrador, Semy, slept in his own bed, which was located directly beneath the steps. He has been a part of our family for eight years and is more than simply a pet. His sweetness and intelligence have captured our hearts since he was a puppy. He is constantly alert and eager to play or be touched.
He is adored by the kids, and he treats them like his own puppies.
But he was concerned about something that evening.
I sensed an odd movement in the bed at about three in the morning.
I was asleep until I heard heavy footsteps on the mattress and a faint panting sound.
Since he was a puppy, we have taught Semy that this is our space, and he respects that by never getting into bed. That’s why I was surprised to see him.
When I opened my eyes, I found him standing on my wife’s chest, staring at her while softly barking, as though he wanted to alert us to an impending danger without waking the kids.
His look gave me the impression that he wasn’t feeling well or that he wanted to go out.
My hair stood on edge because of something in his eyes—a mix of dread and determination.
“Semy, what’s wrong?” I stroked his head and whispered.
He avoided looking at me. He continued to concentrate on my wife, prodding her with his muzzle and sniffing her face. As I tried to figure out what was happening, my wife started to wake up, puzzled.
Then I heard it.
There’s a squeak in the corridor. Like someone shuffling on a wooden floor, the sound was faint and nearly unintelligible.
My heart was racing. Semy was standing between us and the door, vigilant, his back up, his eyes focused on the entry, and I glanced at him. He had gotten out of bed.
I realised then that the dog wasn’t the issue. Someone or something else was involved.
I put my finger to my wife’s lips to silence her and used a signal to wake her. She could tell right away that something was amiss by the look on my face and Semy’s behaviour.
Slowly and silently, we sat up and heard it again: muffled whispers, knocking on the wall, and light footsteps.
Terrifying visions raced through my head. What if someone had broken in? What if his intention was to harm us?
I pictured the helpless children sleeping in the room. I was momentarily paralysed by fear, but Semy’s eyes gave me strength. He was prepared to keep us safe, and I couldn’t fail my family.
With trembling hands, I took the cell phone from the nightstand and dialled 911. I told my wife to go grab the kids in the meanwhile. Semy simply snarled gently, as if to warn the intruder not to approach, without moving from the door.
After leaving the room discreetly, my wife came back a few seconds later with Emiliano and Camila.
The children were half sleeping and puzzled, but they recognised that this was not the time to ask enquiries based on Semy’s demeanour and the serious expressions on our faces.
We sat on the floor and hugged the children while locking ourselves in the bathroom, the only room with a locked door. Never leaving the bedroom entrance for a moment, Semy remained on the opposite side, maintaining watch.
The minutes went by slowly. We heard footsteps, tumbling objects and mumbling coming from the loo.
While I tried to maintain my composure for the benefit of the kids, my wife grabbed my hand tightly. Emiliano held on to his teddy bear while Camila cried in fear.
In her ear, I whispered, “It’s okay, my love.” Here, we’re all together. Semy is keeping an eye on us.
I have no idea how much time has gone by. It may have been seven minutes or an eternity. Abruptly, there came a clear and loud yell outside:
“Police! Stay put, everyone!”
I let out a sigh of comfort. We walked out of the bathroom, trembling but secure, after I gave my family a hug.
We noticed two policemen handcuffing two hooded males as we peered out into the corridor. They had used a crowbar to force the latch after breaking in via the living room window.
They had already placed various items in the bags they were carrying, including my wife’s wallet, the laptop, and the video game console.
We were requested to identify our belongings by one of the officers who came up to us and enquired about our well-being. I explained the situation to him, explaining how Semy had warned us and allowed us time to contact the police.
The officer grinned as he glanced at the dog, who was still in guard position.
He stroked Semy’s head and remarked, “You have a real hero at home.”
That morning, we didn’t get any sleep. Although the shock made us nervous, we were also really appreciative.
Who knows what would have happened if it weren’t for Semy. We might have been harmed if the robbers had broken inside the rooms. However, we were saved by our dog’s loyalty and instinct.
When the kids realised what had happened, they gave Semy a deep hug. Camila gave him his favourite blanket so he could sleep peacefully, and Emiliano assured him that he would never reprimand him for stealing his cookies again.
On that day, my wife and I agreed that Semy would sleep near our room’s door going forward. He had earned the right to be anywhere he wanted to be, therefore it didn’t matter if he went on the bed or not.
We got him a cosy blanket, a large bone, and one of those they offer at the vet office. I whispered to him that night as I was making his bed near the door:
“I’m grateful, pal. You are in charge of us.”
As though he understood every word, Semy waggled his tail and gazed at me with those noble eyes.
The neighbourhood became aware of the news as the days went by. Many of our neighbours were shocked to hear that the dog had saved our lives when they came to ask us what had happened. Some even started thinking about getting their families a dog.
The cops arrived to offer their congratulations and acknowledge Semy’s bravery. In addition to a plaque with his name that currently stands on the wall of the living room, they presented him with a symbolic medal. The kids proudly display it and share the tale with all of their friends.
At school, Emiliano declares, “My dog is a hero.” “He protected my family from robbers.”
Despite her youth, Camila joyfully calls him “Semy” whenever she sees him.
Life gradually got back to normal. Semy resumed his morning strolls in the park, my wife and I went back to work, and the kids kept attending school.
However, we discovered how much we appreciated our dog’s presence, his unwavering affection, and his protective nature.
I’m thankful to have him at our side every night before I turn in for the night. I’m confident that Semy will be there, keeping an eye on us and attentive to any threats, no matter what.
True heroes don’t always don uniforms or capes. They can have an enormous heart, four legs, and unwavering loyalty at times.
Semy therefore evolved into much more than just a dog in our household; he became our comrade, our guardian, and our four-legged angel.
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