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Spooked dog runs a mile to her doggy day care after minor car crash

The 3-year-old pit bull mix named Aries took off from the crash scene, jumping out of the car window and passing through multiple neighborhoods.
Posted at 5:58 PM, Feb 27, 2024

A spooked dog ran a mile to the safety of her doggy day care after she was involved in a minor car crash with her owner in a city just north of Detroit over the weekend. 

The 3-year-old pit bull mix named Aries took off from the crash scene, jumping out of the car window and passing through multiple neighborhoods until she reached the day care facility she frequently visits. 

The crash happened Saturday afternoon as Melissa Fickel, the dog’s owner, was driving to a park in Clawson, Michigan for the pair to enjoy the nice weather. 

“I had the windows down because Aries likes to hang her head out," Fickel said. "As soon as there was that smack, as soon as I felt and heard it, almost instantaneously, she was out the window.”

Another car ran into Fickel’s car, but thankfully no one was injured and there was only minor damage to the vehicles. However, the crash was enough to spook Aries. 

Fearing the worst, Fickel was worried Aries could run into traffic or go missing in the streets. While dealing with the police and exchanging insurance, her head was swimming with all the ways Aries could be in danger.

“I can’t really think about it because so many things could’ve happened," she said.

But Aries was much smarter than that.  

The pup ran about a mile down Rochester Road to the day care she frequently visits, Hounds Town Metro Detroit.

“She really started off scared," said Hounds Town Metro Detroit owner Travis Ogden. "Soon as I walked up front, saw the dog, I was like that is definitely Aries."

Hounds Town took Aries in and provided shelter while they called her owner.

"[Travis] called me and said she’s here, and I literally sank to the ground," Fickel said.

In surveillance video from the business, you can see Aries run straight to the door, jumping up and down. She was quickly reunited with her owner.

Fickel said she adopted Aries in 2020. Working from home, the two would spend every hour of the day together and she always knew Aries was smart — but didn’t know just how smart she could be.

We’d expect nothing less from an Aries queen. 

This story was originally published by Ruta Ulcinaite at Scripps News Detroit.

Scripps News Detroit