Lost Dog In New York City Runs A Mile To His Favorite Doggy Daycare
Getting lost in New York City can be overwhelming. For Pete, a 1-year-old beagle mix who was still new to the city and uneasy around loud outdoor noises, it could have been especially frightening. But when he suddenly found himself alone in a city of more than 8 million people, he didn’t panic.
Instead, he knew exactly where he wanted to go.
On May 14, the 1-year-old beagle mix was out for a walk with one of his owners when his leash broke. In an instant, Pete was separated from his family and left to navigate the busy streets of Brooklyn on his own. What happened next surprised everyone.
Rather than wandering aimlessly, Pete took off on a mission. The determined pup ran roughly a mile through the city to reach his favorite place in the world: Pooch Play and Stay, the doggy daycare he regularly attends.
When Pete arrived, he ran straight up to the daycare’s glass front door and paced back and forth, clearly hoping someone would let him in. Staff inside were stunned when they realized the familiar face standing outside had arrived completely on his own.
Staff members were going about their normal routine of cleaning and bringing dogs into the daycare area when they saw something dart past the front door, then realized it was Pete.
Grace Bodkin, the daycare’s admin manager, quickly let Pete inside, where the runaway immediately settled back into daycare life as if nothing unusual had happened. But it was clear he’d been through quite an adventure.
They immediately called his family and then gave him a bath as he was covered in dirt. When they reached Pete’s worried owners, they were relieved to learn their missing dog was safe and came by to pick him up and take him to the veterinarian for a checkup.
Fortunately, Pete escaped with only a few scratches and was given the all-clear. The best part? His big adventure didn’t make him think twice about returning.
“He came back the next day,” Bodkin shared. “He was unfazed and happy to be there!”
The staff couldn’t believe that Pete had managed to find his way back to daycare all by himself, especially since he’s still adjusting to city life and is usually nervous around loud outdoor noises.
“We are so happy our smart boy knew his way to us,” the doggy daycare wrote on Instagram.
Bodkin added, “Pete is new to the city and has some fears around loud noises. Inside the doors of Pooch, he is so happy, extroverted, and playful! We are so glad to be a place he feels comfortable and safe to come to…”
Pete’s remarkable journey quickly turned him into a local celebrity. To celebrate his determination and impressive navigation skills, Pooch Play and Stay crowned him Dog of the Week.
“After his iconic solo mile run to daycare, it only felt right to officially give this determined little legend the Pooch of the Week crown,” the daycare wrote.
Not every lost dog finds his way home. But Pete knew exactly where he could go for help.
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