Aries is a clever three-year-old Pitbull mix who, after a car accident with her owner Melissa Fickel from Detroit, instinctively knew where to go for help. After fostering pets for years, Melissa adopted Aries over three years ago, and they have been inseparable ever since, spending every moment together.
On the day of the incident, as they headed to the park, another vehicle collided with Melissa’s car. Although no serious injuries occurred and damages were minimal, Aries became frightened and jumped out of the car, running away. “I had the windows down because Aries likes to hang her head out, and almost instantly after the crash, she was out,” said Melissa in an interview with WXYZ Detroit.
Quick-Thinking Aries Looking For Help
While Melissa dealt with the aftermath of the crash, she was deeply anxious about Aries. “I can’t really think about it because so many things could’ve happened,” she reflected. Thankfully, Aries navigated away from potential dangers and headed to a familiar location—a mile away—where she felt safe enough to seek assistance.
She ran to Hounds Town – Detroit Metro doggy daycare. Upon arrival, Travis Ogden, the daycare owner, recognized her immediately and provided comfort, noting her frightened demeanor.
Safe At The Daycare
Aries arrived at the daycare around noon, coinciding with a staff break; a quick motion outside the front door caught their attention. Surveillance footage showed Aries jumping and trying to get in. When an employee stepped outside, he saw her, a bit scared and panting. Thankfully, Travis recognized her and remarked, “She was like, ‘this is where I go and this is where I stay.’ She just seemed to know what to do.” It’s likely that Aries relied on her memories from prior visits to find her way back to a safe place.
Initially scared, Aries settled down quickly. While Melissa continued to worry about her furry friend, she received a call from Ogden: “Luckily then he called me and said, ‘she’s here,’ and I literally sank to the ground,” she recalled, filled with relief. So many things could have gone wrong, but Aries demonstrated remarkable intelligence in navigating to safety. They were soon reunited, and according to Melissa, Aries is back to her happy self, enjoying car rides once again.
