Meet Scout, a clever canine with a knack for escapades!

Not once, not twice, but three times, this adventurous dog has escaped from a nearby animal shelter.

His destination?

The cozy and welcoming Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility, a nursing home primarily caring for seniors.

Scout’s journey is nothing short of remarkable.

He skillfully navigates two fences, braves highway traffic, and stealthily slips into the nursing home’s lobby, where he finds comfort on a couch for the night.

It’s a story that seems straight out of a Hollywood movie, but it’s all true!

The next morning, a nurse at the facility finds Scout and is instantly taken aback.

It’s clear that Scout is no ordinary stray.

His past is shrouded in mystery; a stray with no known history, named by shelter staff who noticed his cautious nature.

If you were to pet him, you’d feel the remnants of his tough life – BBs or birdshot embedded in his jowl.

Despite being returned to the shelter by a sheriff, Scout’s determination knows no bounds.

Like a beloved character from a heartwarming movie, he finds his way back to the same nursing home couch, not once, but twice!

Meadow Brook, located about an hour northeast of Traverse City, is a haven with 82 beds, divided among several households.

It’s a place of long-term care for seniors grappling with terminal illnesses, dementia, or loneliness.

And, for reasons known only to him, Scout chose this place as his forever home.

Marna Robertson, the nursing home’s administrator, shares, “I’m a person who looks at outward signs, and if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. He did that one time, two times, three times, and obviously that’s something that you should pay attention to. And I asked the staff, ‘Well, he wants to be here. Would anybody like to have a dog?’”

The response from the staff was a unanimous and enthusiastic yes!

Now, Scout is more than just a pet at Meadow Brook; he’s a cherished companion to the 20 or so seniors at Glacier Hill.

He wanders the halls freely, visiting residents, and has even learned to open doors with his paws and knows exactly who has dog treats in their walkers.

Jenni Martinek, the household coordinator, says, “To each and every one of them, it’s their dog.”

Scout even has his own bed and toys in Martinek’s office.

His heartwarming story inspired the staff to hold a fundraiser, raising hundreds for the shelter that first took him in.

Scout’s past, however, remains a mystery.

“All they knew is he was abused. He was just very scared,” Martinek explains.

His behavior still shows signs of his difficult past, but his determination to stay at Meadow Brook raises questions.

“Maybe he felt like it was a safe environment,” Robertson muses.

“He certainly has a penchant for the elders. If they have dementia or if they’re not going to be around much longer he knows that, and he will go and be with them and comfort them. He must’ve just felt like he needed to be here.”

Scout’s role at Meadow Brook goes beyond just being a pet.

“He’s always watching, making sure everybody’s OK,” Martinek observes.

Stephanie Elsey, the clinical care coordinator, adds, “If somebody is in the passing process, he’s in and out of the room, checking on them.”

Scout’s presence even brought comfort to resident Butch Craig on a day when he was let down by a friend.

A spontaneous pizza party, with Scout by their side, lifted everyone’s spirits.

Scout may not speak, but his ability to love and be loved speaks volumes.

In choosing Meadow Brook, he didn’t just find a home; he created one.

Catch a glimpse of Scout and his big family in the video below.