This morning, my husband and I were leaving the house at the same time but heading for different places, and I was bringing Squash with me. In the bustle of getting our respective stuff together, we walked out the back gate without Squash's leash actually being clipped to his collar. There was literally a moment when all three of us seemed to realize this at the same time, and before I could react Squash ran down the alley.
I took off after him and called him, but he was initially ignoring me. He rounded the corner and was on the sidewalk of what is a reasonably busy street. I happened to be wearing the bag I take to training at the time, and thank goodness I keep a squeaky toy in it. There were three people in my line of sight walking dogs, and traffic on the street, and I felt like I was going to throw up. When I squeaked to get his attention I could see the wheels turning in his little head.
And then my terrible, wonderful boy made a beeline back to me, I clipped his leash on and hugged him tight and gave him a jackpot, we walked back down the alley to our house, where I promptly burst into tears.
Practice your recall, people. Practice it and proof forever and ever. And ever.