“This was actually the second time he did it.”
Clever Dog Escapes Backyard — Heads Straight to Day Care
Closing time at Dogtopia Springfield in Virginia was winding down when staff noticed an unexpected visitor in the parking lot. Their security cameras caught the moment: a familiar dog appeared out of nowhere, looked around, and trotted straight toward the front door.
The team quickly let the pup inside, where he made a beeline for the play area — as if he knew exactly where to go. That’s when they realized the “mystery dog” was none other than Sampson, a regular guest who’s been coming to Dogtopia once a week for the past three years.
This time, Sampson had decided to arrange his own playdate.
Earlier that day, he’d discovered a hole in his backyard fence and slipped through. His parents were frantic when they realized he was gone — but Sampson’s dad, Mike, had a hunch about where their adventurous pup was headed.
“This was actually the second time he did it,” Mike said. “The first time, on New Year’s Eve, we had no idea where he went. The second time was still scary because his route included two main roads, but I was pretty confident I knew where he went.”
Sure enough, when Dogtopia called, Sampson was safe — lounging at his favorite place in the world. His parents were relieved beyond words and amazed that he’d remembered the route perfectly.
They promised him an official return trip later that week, but knowing Sampson, his next “solo commute” might already be in the works.