Horrible Scare

Last night at about 3:00 am Francis whined to go out, so I opened the door to the back and while I was waiting for him to do his business I got the urge to go. I quick went into the bathroom and when I came out Francis was gone! I had a heart attack, it was pitch black out (no problem for him since he's blind) and my yard empties into a pond and another yard . I ran outside in my pajamas calling him in a loud whisper and ran into the yard and then into my neighbor's yard. No Francis! I went over to the pond and it was so dark I started to cry.
What made everything worse is just that day the Boston Globe had an article about coyotes in my neighborhood. Swell.
I ran back into the house to find a flashlight, about 15 minutes had passed. I finally found one that worked and I ran back outside and who was standing at the side door as casually as you please but my boy !! I didn't know whether to yell at him or hug him but hugging won out.
It was so stark a reminder that you can't let your guard down for a minute. My carelessness could have had terrible consequences!