(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Dog Escapes Animal Shelter Three Times, And Each Time Knew Where He Wanted To Be. Needed To Be. [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-09-24 The abused stray didn’t have a name when he was first brought into the Antrim County Animal Shelter in Bellaire, Michigan. Someone had shot him with a pellet or BB gun, which the workers could feel the pellets under his bottom lip. He also displayed other traits of a mistreated animal including a fear of strangers. But what a sweet dog. They named him Scout. But there was someplace that Scout had to be. He was housed in an indoor/outdoor kennel, with a 12 foot chain-linked fence in front. Scout climbed up the fence and squeezed out the foot wide gap at the top until he was on the other side. He then jumped over the eight foot cement privacy fence. He then ran across a six lane highway to the other side. He further ran down the block, including past a park, and made a beeline straight to the Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility, a residential center housing and caring for many elders with end of life and dementia needs. Entered through the automatic doors, and since it was late in the evening, was undetected. He jumped up on a soft couch in the lobby… and went to sleep. CCTV’s from different businesses later showed that he didn’t waver in his path. He bypassed everything, including water ponds and the park. The next morning, a nurse discovered Scout asleep, and after giving him some water, called the shelter, who discovered Scout had escaped. The sheriff came and returned Scout. Two nights later, he scaled a taller fence and the same privacy fence... … and there he was, again, discovered asleep on the same couch. Yet two nights later…. rinse and repeat. For a third time. Said Clinal Care Coordinator Stephanie Elsey, “He was pretty relentless in his pursuit to be here.” Said administrator Marna Robertson, “I’m a person who looks at outward signs, and if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. He did that one time, two times, three times, and obviously that’s something that you should pay attention to. And I asked the staff, ‘Well, he wants to be here. Would anybody like to have a dog?’” Any skittishness he had at the shelter, he was devoid of that here. He walked up to the residents… the guests… and loved on them. The staff observed him sit by the lonely, and lay with those who were very very ill… and wouldn’t leave their side. And thankfully, none of the residents had an allergy. Said resident Shirley Sawyer, “He’ll always let you pet him and lets you talk to him if you need someone to talk to.” And when they were many guests in the cafeteria or outside on the patio, Scout walked from one to another as to make sure they were okay for the moment, and then seemed to stand guard against any perceived threat. The staff collectively knew that this was the place he not just wanted to be, but needed to be. For the good of everyone, especially their guests. “I think it reminds them of being home,” said administrative assistant Rhonda Thomczak, “When you’re home you have your pets, and you don’t get to have that here. Having a dog around makes it feel like home.” That was in 2017. Now... here and now… Scout has melded naturally into his role. He is a fixture. Scout has been trusted with absolute free rein. He makes his rounds, learning years ago the ability to open doors with his paws. And he knows who has bags of treats awaiting him. More, he has that instinct, that so many animals do, for those who need the most help. Those who are very sick and those who are just feeling very bad or very sad. And those who are transitioning. He always knows who is dying, and he wants to be in the room for the entirety of the process. Ever comforting. Ever watchful. Of the many wings and units of the facility, Scout pretty much spends most of his time in the Glacier Hill section. It’s for those with the most acute health issues “He definitely knows that this unit is home. It’s where he feels most comfortable,” said Household Coordinator Jenny Martinek. Much like the nurses and staff, he has a true servants heart. Pets provide us so much companionship and love and joy, and especially to those who are experiencing illness. Or homelessness. Way back in the day, I did social work, and observed that more often then not, those homeless souls with dogs or other pets as companions held on to reality…. to life… to hope… much more and much longer than those without. And I see it especially now. They take better care of their pets then they do themselves, making sure that their companions are taken care of. To hold it together. A reason to hold it together. Grateful for such a devoted, steadfast warm friend in an often cold and cruel world. A pet can be the steady and grounding influence in their lives. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/9/24/2194261/-Dog-Escapes-Animal-Shelter-Three-Times-And-Each-Time-Knew-Where-He-Wanted-To-Be-Needed-To-Be Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/