Pet lovers know that one of the worst parts of having a pet is the emptiness you feel when you realize your pet isn’t where he is supposed to be. You look everywhere and can’t find him anyplace!
Panic sets in and posters go up in the neighborhood almost immediately. Calls are quickly placed to Animal Control, local shelters and vets to see of your pet has been found.
Usually when a pet escapes, it can be found close by. Often times though, if your pet gets scared or is chasing after something, they can be miles away from home before it realizes that it is lost.
When your pet goes missing, it’s easy to assume the worst-case scenario. Sadly, animals don’t know to go to a safe place or person to ask for help in finding their way home.
Most animals that is…
When Buddy, a shepherd mix escaped from his yard in Batavia, New York, he couldn’t find his way back home so he decided to go to the one place he knew he’d be safe.
Buddy went straight to the United Memorial Medical Center.
Buddy walked up to the electronic doors at the hospital, walked inside and laid down on the floor. After all, he was in the “Waiting Room” after all.
Hospital staff rushed to take care of Buddy, bringing him a blanket, some water and treats. They figured Buddy was not injured, just very tired and called the police to report that he had showed up.
Buddy’s owners Cindy Hall and her husband came home from work to find that Buddy had escaped, they began looking for him. They searched far and wide to no avail.
Hospital staff worker Katelyn DiSalvo posted a picture of Buddy on Facebook with a caption that read, “This sweet pup walked into UMMC ER just like a patient would. No I.D. tag but did have a license tag! The police came and picked him up and the pup will be brought to the pound until hopefully claimed.”
Buddy’s owners did not check Facebook, or Buddy would have gotten home a lot sooner.
Buddy had to wait until police checked out his tags to find out where he lived. Several hours passed while he waited patiently at the pound.
When they finally figured out who Buddy’s owners were, the police drove him home. There was a joyful reunion when the police car rolled up at his house and officers turned Buddy back over to his relieved owners.
This is where Buddy’s story takes a twist. Buddy’s owners both work at the hospital where he showed up when he got lost!
We will never know exactly why Buddy chose that particular place as his safe place that day, it is suspected that he picked up on his owner’s scent and followed it right through the doors into the hospital where they work.
Buddy has a new collar and tag so he can be easily identified should something similar happen ever again. Cindy joked that he “would have to burrow to China to get under and out again. I think he’s home to stay this time.”
If you know someone who might like this please click “Share” below!
