Missing dog found to have run 20 blocks to hospital she'd never been to— just to be with her ailing hooman

Dogs are often called man’s best friend for a reason—they’ll go to incredible lengths for the people they love. One miniature schnauzer named Sissy left everyone stunned after going missing and embarking on a mission to find her ailing owner. With sharp instincts, dogs are known to find their way home, but Sissy amazed everyone by tracking her caretaker, Nancy Franck, all the way to a hospital. The loyal pup walked 20 blocks from her home to Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, according to security footage shared by Mercy Medical Center and USA Today.

The 10-year-old schnauzer arrived at Mercy Medical Center late one evening, all on her own. Sissy had come searching for her owner, who was recovering from a recent surgical procedure. Security camera footage captured the worried pup walking through the hospital lobby, leaving staff and visitors astonished by her determination.

Remarkably, Sissy had never been to the hospital before. Navigating unfamiliar streets and obstacles, she made her way to Nancy, who had been admitted for cancer surgery. The heartwarming 30-second footage, which has since gone viral, shows the determined pup exploring the hospital halls as if she belonged there.

The sight of a miniature schnauzer strolling through the hospital stunned staff. Sissy was allowed to visit her mother's room by hospital security because they couldn't help themselves from doing so. “She was on a mission. I didn’t think she could do it. I thought dogs could find their way home, but this one found the hospital,” Nancy shared.

Nancy’s husband, Dale, told NBC he had let Sissy and their other dog, Barney, outside for a routine bathroom break. But Sissy seized the opportunity to search for her owner, whom she hadn’t seen in days. “I was panicking. She’s my baby,” the canine’s dad told the outlet.

To find their dog, Dale even called the local animal shelter and police before reaching out to his daughter Sarah for help. The hospital security finally called the dog dad after four hours of intensive searching to let him know that his dog might have been the one wandering the hallways. It relieved Dale as it turned out it was indeed Sissy roaming in and around the medical facility. The heartwarming incident took place some nine years ago, with its footage garnering millions of views ever since on various social media platforms. Thousands of people online lauded the small canine for showing amazing instincts. Others were amazed by her senses, in locating the owner.