A newly adopted Husky-mix dog from the Animal Rescue League of El Paso went missing from her new home. She found her way back to her adopted humans after using a clever trick.

Bailey’s human contacted the Animal Rescue League of El Paso to inform the shelter about the dog’s disappearance. The shelter helped out by posting about Bailey on its social media accounts.

“This beautiful girl — Bailey — has gotten loose in the area of Mesa and Sunland Park, on the west side. She is very friendly. If you spot her or find her, please call,” the Animal Rescue League of El Paso posted on Jan. 29, along with several photos of Bailey.

A local news station reported that it didn’t take long for people to begin reporting Bailey sightings. As it turned out, none of that was necessary. Bailey surprised everyone.

Early on Jan. 31, Bailey surprised the Animal Rescue League of El Paso by coming to them. The dog showed up at the shelter and rang the doorbell looking for help.

“Bailey is now safe. To all those who searched, spotted, called, hoped – we thank you. As we know, dogs are incredible. Bailey made her way back to ARL and rang our ring doorbell at 1:15 am, saying she wanted in. Staff rushed to the shelter and put Bailey in her run,” the rescue posted with a photo of Bailey taken by the facility’s doorbell camera.

Bailey rescued herself.

Loretta Hyde, the founder of the Animal Rescue League of El Paso, said it was amazing that the dog found her way back to the shelter. It’s about 10 miles away from her new home. She said she hopes it speaks to how happy the clients are at the shelter, as she remarked how smart dogs are. We forget that sometimes. Two days after going missing, she turned up on a security camera ringing the doorbell to be let in.

Bailey had the sad distinction as the shelter’s longest-serving resident. Her personality is described as sweet and friendly. She was adopted a month ago.

Bailey was quickly reunited with her furrever family. We can all feel good about that.

Trying not to go down too far into a rabbit hole, I checked to see what is listed as the longest distance a dog has traveled to reunite with its family. It looks like the record goes to Bobbie the Wonder Dog.

Bobbie the Wonder Dog (1921–1927) was a dog who covered 2,551 miles on his own to return home to Silverton, Oregon, United States, after he was lost while his owners were visiting family in Wolcott, Indiana. Ripley’s estimated the journey may have been as long as 3,000 miles.

Amazing.