No one enjoys being followed, right? That sensation of someone trailing behind, eyes fixed on you, is unsettling. It’s something most of us hope never to encounter.
But one tracking incident turned out to be completely harmless. Any day, I’d welcome being followed home by a four-legged friend.
That was exactly what happened to a man in St. Louis. After stepping off the bus and heading home, he noticed a dog he had seen at the bus station trailing him.
Here’s how Orville, the stray, wandered into a man’s life and found his happy ending.
A Surprising Tail Follower
Bus rides can be frustrating, but getting off is always a relief. Upon arriving at his local station, the man noticed a dog sitting patiently, as if awaiting someone. In a sense, he truly was.
He greeted the dog, offered some pets and gentle words, and walked home without a second glance.
Soon, he felt a peculiar sensation in the back of his neck. Something was off. Someone, or something, was watching him.
He turned to see the same dog in his front yard. It was clear the stray had been following him the entire way.
The dog showed no fear, so the man invited him into his yard. He appeared as though he might belong to someone, yet he was clearly in poor condition. The man immediately called Stray Rescue of St. Louis for help.
When Donna and Natalie from SRSL arrived, they expected a scared, distrustful, or aggressive dog. They were unprepared for what awaited them at the man’s home.
The stray greeted them with an enormous smile, as if meeting old friends.
“He was an absolute sweetheart of a dog right off the bat,” Donna said. “We were able to leash him up right away, and he went right with us.”
The dog, soon named Orville, displayed such affection and eagerness for attention. He jumped into the SRSL Jeep, claiming the front seat.
“He rode up near Natalie and me most of the way back,” Lochmann said. “He was just a happy boy.”
At the SRSL veterinary hospital, Orville remained exuberant. He greeted everyone with a wide grin, approaching each person as if he already knew good things awaited him.
The vet team treated his wounds and prepared a cozy kennel where he could rest and recover from street life. Orville appeared to be a healthy three-year-old Pittie.
There was no doubt he would regain weight and confidence under SRSL care.
A Long-Awaited Happy Ending
And the happy ending truly arrived.
Orville’s recovery went smoothly, and though adoption inquiries were slow, SRSL staff remained hopeful. They knew the perfect family would eventually appear.
Finally, the miracle came.
Orville was adopted after nearly two months at the shelter, patiently waiting for a forever home.
He gained a loving mom, dad, and a baby brother.
Orville now enjoys freedom, affection, and the full experience of a family life he had always deserved.