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Bailey’s Long Road Home
Bailey, a lively and affectionate pup, spent many months at the Animal Rescue League in El Paso, Texas. Though her friendly nature made her a favorite among the staff and volunteers, she struggled to find a family ready to take her in. As the shelter’s longest-standing resident, she was truly the darling of the volunteers—yet day after day, she remained unadopted.
But then, finally, good news: Bailey was adopted. A caring man, won over by her cheeky gaze, decided to give her a second chance. No one could have predicted that their separation would be so short-lived.
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Disaster Strikes the First Night
In the early phase of getting settled in, Bailey’s new owner equipped her with a brand new harness. Bad idea—as soon as a sudden noise startled her, Bailey panicked, yanked hard, and bolted. She was gone in a flash, and he simply couldn’t catch up.
Immediately, the alert went out. The shelter team, who kept in close contact with Bailey’s new human, mobilized the local community. Photos circulated, calls for help were posted online, and then… the first pieces of news started to come in.
A volunteer looked at the screen and said: “Isn’t that Bailey?!” recalls Loretta. Thanks to the built-in microphone, she called out, “Bailey?”… and the dog looked straight into the camera, as if she was answering: Yes, it’s me, open the door!
Wasting no time, an employee jumped in her car and headed over. There was Bailey, waiting in front of the shelter’s door—exhausted but determined, right back where she started.
Home Is Where the Kibble Is
Starving and utterly spent, Bailey hurled herself at a bowl of kibble and then fell into a deep sleep on a warm blanket. She had crossed an entire city—roads, sidewalks, you name it—guided only by her instinct (and perhaps, a bit of nostalgia).
The following morning, the shelter called her new owner, who rushed over in tears to get his furry friend. The emotional reunion left no dry eye: Bailey was back home, but one thing was certain—her shelter would always be her heart’s home.
Bailey now lives happily with her new “dad.” But she will never forget those who reached out to her in her darkest hours.
“They’ll come back and visit us, I’m sure of it,” Loretta declared. And knowing that Bailey can even recognize the sound of a doorbell in the middle of the night, there’s no room for doubt.
Loyalty That Knows No Bounds
What an intelligent dog.
It will be hard for her to forget the shelter.
We don’t know her past, but she does—and it’s the shelter that helped her forget!
Exactly!
Animals have a truly pure, whole heart.
I love reading these kinds of stories.
To quote French humorist Raymond Devos: “The more I see people, the more I love my dog!”
And here’s one from Coluche: “If a dog is aggressive, first look at who’s holding the leash.”
—Signed, a devoted animal lover
Remembering Another Loving Journey
My grandparents once had a cat given to them in 1990, just a few months old, by a neighbor heading into a nursing home. The cat quickly settled in with my grandparents, who lived in a small house near Paris. Every weekend, they’d take their cat with them to their countryside cottage, 166 miles (268 km) from their main home. When my grandmother retired, they decided to move there full-time.
During the move, sadly, their unchipped cat ran away and, despite hours of searching, couldn’t be found. Heartbroken, my grandparents had no choice but to leave without him. But months later, one June morning in 1991, my grandmother, out on the cottage porch, faintly heard some distant meowing from behind the front gate. She went to look—and there, to her shock, was their cat: thinner, dirty, limping, but very much alive. He had made his way 268 kilometers (166 miles) to find my grandparents.
The cat had remembered the route they once took every weekend together by car to their beloved countryside cottage. My grandparents were in tears, overwhelmed with joy. After an endless round of cuddles (and a well-deserved bath and nail trim), plus a good meal and a long purring nap, they took him straight to the vet for a checkup.
The vet wasn’t surprised by the cat’s incredible journey: “All the affection you gave this cat before he was lost, he returned to you by walking all those miles to find you. That was his way of saying ‘I love you too, I have found you again.’”
He was a magnificent, intelligent, wonderfully gentle cat. My grandparents spoiled him every day for the rest of his life. He lived to be 17 years and 5 months old before heading to kitty heaven. Even now, every time they talk about him, my grandparents can’t help but wipe away a tear—he had claimed a big piece of their hearts, and vice versa…
I completely agree with you. These so-called domestic animals are so wonderful, but really, I think it’s us humans who are on the leash—not them. We love them so much… well, at least those of us who are normal.♥♥♥♥♥♥
What more can I say? Thanks to her nose and the shelter’s kindness, this dog’s sense of gratitude exceeds even my happiness. Thank you to the shelter, her first home, which made it possible for her to stay alive—a loyal friend to all animals.
