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Aries, a clever three-year-old Pit Bull mix, is known for her love of treats, kisses, and going for car rides. But recently, she showed everyone she’s got more than charm—she’s got smarts, too.
It happened on what was supposed to be a normal Saturday afternoon. Melissa Fickle, Aries’ owner, was taking her pup to the park to enjoy the sunny weather. As they came through the intersection near 14 Mile and Rochester in Clawson, another car suddenly hit them. The impact was enough to startle anyone, and for Aries, it was terrifying.
The windows were partly down because Aries loved the breeze. But the moment the crash happened, she bolted. “As soon as I felt the hit and heard it, she was already gone,” Melissa said.
Aries could’ve taken off in any direction. She could have gotten lost in a neighborhood or run into traffic. But instead, she did something no one expected: she ran straight to her doggy daycare, Hounds Town, which was nearly a mile away.
Surveillance footage shows her running up to the front door like she knew exactly what she was doing. She jumps up and down, pawing at the glass, clearly trying to get someone’s attention. “It was like she was knocking,” Melissa said, watching the video. “She wanted someone to let her in.”
While Melissa stayed behind dealing with the aftermath of the crash and talking with police, she was also panicked about Aries. She had no idea where her dog had gone or if she was okay.
Then came the call.
It was Travis Ogden, the owner of Hounds Town. “She’s here,” he told her. Melissa said the moment she heard those words, her legs gave out. “I literally sank to the ground,” she said. “She knew exactly where to go and what to do. She got herself help, and in a way, she helped me too.”
The reunion was emotional, and thankfully, nothing had gone wrong, though it easily could have. Aries is now back to her usual self, happily riding in the car and soaking up the attention of everyone who hears her story.
Melissa already knew her dog was special, but now, she has the proof. Aries didn’t just run away that day—she ran toward the one place that felt safe, and she made sure someone would open the door.
