At least it worked

I once read on a website about whippets that since, in general, they have a mind of their own when they are running off-leash; that if they get away from you, you should drop to the ground like you've been shot...screaming and making a scene. Chances are, your whippet will forget whatever he's taken off after and come back to see why you've seemingly lost your mind. Otherwise, if you don't catch their attention somehow, they will dash into oblivion at a pretty fast 38 mph.

Yesterday I had let Gromit out to run, (I've decided I'm going to let him fetch tennis balls as a form of exercise so that he doesn't lose his mind inside my parent's house without a fenced backyard.) He had worn himself out almost and then he just off and decided to run away, after a butterfly or other bug no less.
I yelled for him to come back, I waved my arms like crazy...he paid me no attention. Visions of missing dog posters flashed in my mind...and then I remembered the sage advice from that website...

I very dramatically dropped to the ground, writhing in pretend agony..yelling for his help...and wouldn't you know it..he immediately stopped running, turned around and high-tailed it back to me to check on my physical and no doubt, mental state.

No comment on if I'm going to be willing to do this if he escapes in public. I know I will if it's necessary, but for pride's sake I'm hoping it won't come to that.