Dudley the Amazing Pit Bull and Pops - An amazing adventure and love story

by Rosie Scotellaro
(Bullhead City, AZ)

Several years ago my Father who suffered from Alzheimer's (he since passed away in 2010), asked if he could go for a short walk down the block with our American Pit named Dudley. Since Pops had always obeyed and came back to the house, we agreed for him to take a short walk in our cul de sac and be accompanied by our dog.

As we chatted in conversation and had coffee, our minds had not registered the time lapse and after a half hour had passed, neither one had come back home. We immediately initiated a search around our home (which is in the desert and surrounded by very treacherous gulleys and mountainous terrain.) As people afflicted with Alzheimer's normally walk in "straight" patterns we were convinced they didn't get very far. We were very wrong.

They had crossed a highway and made several major turns. They walked where sidewalks are non-existent, the walkway path rocky and unsteady, and moreover, cars whizzing past at over 40mph. My husband was convinced that even if we found my Father alive, Dudley would have been spooked perhaps by a car or had met with some other unthinkable fate. All hope of finding Dudley alive was gone. After a police ground and air search for six and a half hours in extraordinary heat conditions, they were both found by the local police in a large gulley.

Outside of dehydration and confusion, my Father did not have any recollection of what they had just endured. In his mind, he simply went for a walk. Even a horrible disease has a semblance of mercy attached to it. Pops didn't remember a thing about his adventure.

As for Dud Dog, I'm convinced he remembered everything. He was dehydrated with burned pads but he was alive and we were just thrilled. It took about five officers to pull him out of that gulley. Dudley was spent, the life in him dwindling away. After the experience, we tried to get information from my Father and he commented that while he was walking Dudley was trying to turn him around. It was somewhat aggravating to him that the dog was trying to steer him (back home I'm sure). Dudley always instinctively had the knowledge that Pops "was not right". We are sure that is why he stayed with him through unspeakable conditions and never left his side. Eventually Pops was placed in a home specializing in Alzheimer's patients and when Dudley saw him, Pops was always showered with kisses.

Every time I see a pit bull has made front page news because he chomped on someone, I can only think about my amazing dog and how true he was to his pack. The AMAZING Dudley and our Dear Father...both truly loved forever.

As for Michael Vick, we can only hope there is a Hell and he will burn in it through all time and eternity for the atrocities he inflicted on this breed.

Thanks for reading my story! - Rosie