‘Houdini’ Rescue Dog Survives Months on Streets, Finally Caught

A rescue dog who escaped from his caregivers has spent several months surviving on the streets of New Orleans is back safe at home. The tiny terrier mix escaped not once but twice and has survived it all: hurricanes, street cars, blizzards and even being shot. Throughout his escapades his stardom rose and he is now a bonafide celebrity.

Last year in April, Scrim was rescued from being euthanized at a shelter by Michelle Chermaie, who runs Zeus’ Rescues. While in foster care, the two-year-old dog escaped and spent 177 days on the run until in late October he was found. He had a GPS collar but the battery died. But locals banded together and tracked Scrim’s movements around the city until he was found.

He had been shot while on the run but he recovered. Afterwards, New Orleans City council officially honored him for his resilience.

But just days later he pulled off another daring escape, this time from Michelle’s home. This time he jumped through her second story window and fell 13 feet to the yard below and then squeezed through the gate and ran away.

Michelle appeared on Tamron Hall Show and explained that Scrim was definitely suffering from “lost dog syndrome,” which is when a dog perceives anything as a threat. She noted “he’s just running for life” but when he’s inside a home he’s a snuggly dog.

During his second escape, Scrim endured freezing temperatures, near misses with streetcars, and other dangers. But just as when he first escaped, locals again rallied together and reported sightings of Scrim around the city. People were sending Michelle texts day and night to help her find Scrim. Finally, this past week, Michelle got a text reading “Caught Scrim.” Michelle is now looking after him, saying he’s a special dog and ensuring that safeguards have been installed, including getting him a new GPS collar as well as an air tag.

Scrim, who’s been more elusive than bigfoot, is finally home and this time hopefully for good.