Dog Finds Way Home After Owner Drowns

[shawmut]

BANGOR, Maine -- A black Labrador retriever that went missing when its owner drowned on the Allagash Wilderness Waterway was reunited with family members after a three-week ordeal during which it covered an estimated 200 miles of wilderness territory.

The dog, Molly, was presumed to have perished on Memorial Day when her owner, Doug Harmon of Scarborough, and another man drowned after their boat capsized on Chamberlain Lake.

But the dog was spotted at a number of places in the following weeks, and fliers offering a $200 reward for her return were placed at checkpoints in Maine's North Woods. The dog showed up at a Millinocket home on Saturday and was reunited with family members on Monday.

Eyewitness accounts suggest Molly traveled more than 200 miles while putting up with rugged terrain and thick black flies and evading predators such as coyotes. The dog's plight touched many state officials, including Gov. John Baldacci, who asked to be kept abreast of the search, said Department of Conservation Commissioner Patrick McGowan.

Molly's safe return was all the more touching because of her close relationship with Harmon's three children, ages 8, 12 and 14, McGowan said.



http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/13529122/detail.html

[cobalt1999]

1. call me over sentimental

but I loved the story. Too bad about the dad drowning, maybe the kids will have a little comfort though.

Of course, the couple of times my dogs have gotten lost, they never bothered to even try to get home!

[northzax]

2. a black lab

that doesn't save its owner from drowning?

[unpossibles]

3. we don't know it didn't

it very well may have tried to save the guy.

Either that or maybe someone on shore was cooking and the dog got distracted?

[northzax]

4. we know it didn't

it may have tried, but it certainly didn't work.

maybe the dog was like, "eh? whatever, I go play with the kids now"

[unpossibles]

7. true. I read that as "tried to save"

my bad. this heat is keeping me from sleeping properly.

[skygazer]

5. My first thought too

My second thought was the dopey dog probably saw a duck and flipped the boat. What a cynic I am! :P

[Treclo]

6. It's sad,

but I think it's great the dog made it home. Thanks for posting.