Lost dog finds way home to Coventry

By Michelle Brown
Reporter
Published: October 2, 2008

COVENTRY, R.I.—A tenacious 2-year-old Airedale terrier was lost following an accident Sterling, Conn. But somehow, he found his way back to Coventry.

The dog apparently walked along highways and back roads all the way home, and his owner was thrilled to have him back.

“He’s had a long trip home,” said Bill Clark.

Three weeks and three days ago, Max ran away when Clark, driving his convertible in Sterling, was struck by another car.

“The dog jumped out the back through the trunk and ran into the woods,” Clark said.

Clark began a three-week search for his beloved terrier. There were many sightings, but no luck.

That was until Tuesday, when Clark said he came home and found Max sitting in the back yard.

The dog had apparently found his way home from Sterling, about 45 miles away.

“I couldn’t believe that he came home,” Clark said. “All that way.”

Even the experts can’t explain it.

“We don’t really know how they do that. We do know that dogs’ memories are very detailed, very sense-oriented,” said Jim Barry, a dog behavior consultant.

Whatever it was, Clark is just happy to have Max home.  He put up a sign thanking all the people who helped looked for him.

“The vet said he hasn’t been injured. He lost 11 pounds,” Clark said. “I lost seven.”

Experts recommend that pet owners implant a microchip in their dogs so they can be tracked in case they get lost. 

Max did not have one.

Also, make sure pets are secure in a vehicle so they don’t get thrown loose in case of an accident.