Instead of waiting to be adopted like other shelter dogs, this clever canine chose his own home—and did it in style!
Scout, a resident at the Antrim County Animal Shelter in Bellaire, Michigan, decided that shelter life wasn’t for him. So, he took matters into his own paws.
In the middle of the night, Scout began sneaking out of the shelter and making his way to the nursing home right across the street. What’s amazing is that he didn’t do this just once or twice. He returned to the nursing home several times after being brought back to the shelter, as if trying to say, “This is my home. Don’t take me back!”
Getting to the Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility wasn’t easy, even though it was just across the street. Scout had to scale multiple fences, cross a highway, and sneak through automatic doors to reach the facility. And he always did this in the dead of night.
Initially, the nursing home staff would return Scout to the shelter, but after his persistent visits, they realized there was something special about their place that made Scout feel at home. So, they decided to make him a permanent resident.
Jennifer Martinek from MBMCF said, “When Scout continued to show up here, we thought maybe it was meant to be.” Stephanie Elsey, a clinical care coordinator, added, “We’ve welcomed him to be a part of our family. This is where he belongs. He chose us.”
Scout quickly became the kindest, most intuitive caregiver in the facility, winning everyone’s hearts. “If you’re upset or things are going wrong, he makes you feel better. Scout’s very happy here,” said one of the staff members.
Scout has a special place in his heart for residents with terminal illnesses and dementia. It’s as if he senses those who need extra care and goes up to them to provide comfort.
No one knows exactly why Scout is so caring or why he has such a strong connection with elderly people. The only thing known about his past is that he had a really tough time in an abusive household.
“You’re such a good boy, Scout! You listened to your heart and went where you were needed.”
Having dogs in nursing homes is a wonderful idea—they provide great company! Maybe every nursing home should have a Scout. The unconditional love a dog gives can be better than medicine.
Here’s hoping Scout finds a new home that lets him keep the job he found for himself