The house almost got broken into but the dog saved the day

So last night was the final night of dog and house sitting for my friends. I went to bed somewhere between 1:45 and 2 am local time. I read a little bit then fell asleep – I had the bedroom door open a little bit so I could hear the dog bark.

I finally fall asleep and what feels like minutes was actually 2 ish hours later. Around 4:15 am, the dog was barking as if to tell me she needed to go out and do her business. So she does her business then she starts barking at a running car in an abandoned parking lot 40 or so yards away. The driver saw me and turned off their headlights but the running lights were left on. The dog and I booked into the house, re locked the back door and then re checked the front door.

As we went upstairs (the stairs are located by the front door), the screen storm door opened rather noisily (it squeaks) and then heard someone trying to break the door down. We ran upstairs, I grabbed my cell phone and mace, grabbed the dog and hid in a closet. I called the cops. I explained the situation, briefly, to the dispatcher who promised to send out patrolmen.

I hid in the closet with the dog until dispatch called and told me that the cops have the intruder in custody (handcuffed) and that one of the cops would like to talk to me. I left the dog inside and stepped outside with the would be intruder sitting on the curb with his hands cuffed behind his back. I explained that I wasn’t the resident of the house but a friend who was house and dog sitting, the dog heard a noise, barked – which woke me up – took her outside, the running car and the attempt to break in.

I was asked if the man in the cuffs was the man who tried to break in. I said that I didn’t know because I didn’t look for the intruder’s face.

They ended up arresting him for attempting to break in, intent to steal, possession of an illegal substance and intent to sell and possession of a gun without any licenses or any documentation of allowing to carry it concealed.

The cops finally left around 5:30 this morning. I couldn’t sleep when I went back to bed. I was to high strung to do anything so I packed up for the night and headed back to bed. Sadly I couldn’t fall back asleep.

I took a 20 minute nap when I got home but I didn’t feel refreshed. Now it’s after 1 am (local time) and I can’t sleep….reliving anything and everything about the would be intruder.