Beloved Pup Slips Out Of Doggie Daycare At 3 A.M. And Disappears Into Icy Chicago
It all happened at PUPS Pet Club in the South Loop, Chicago. Minnie, apparently bored or feeling adventurous, decided to turn an ordinary night into a daring escape worthy of a movie.
At 3 a.m., while the city slept, she somehow managed to open her crate, maneuver through multiple doors, and slip out into the icy Chicago streets.
Security footage later confirmed what everyone suspected: Minnie used her mouth to open a door. Yes, this tiny girl is smart and determined.
By the time anyone noticed, she had disappeared near Michigan Avenue and 13th, leaving a trail of worried humans behind.
Her family, heartbroken but not defeated, launched an immediate search. Laura Simpler, Minnie’s mom, explained the bond they share in an interview:
“She’s there for us when we need her, and we need to be there for her now that she needs us. She’s our heart and soul.”
The winter air in Chicago doesn’t forgive. It’s the kind of cold that seeps into your bones, and every passing minute could be dangerous for a small dog.
Still, her family refused to give up hope. They pictured her finding warmth wherever she could, maybe curling up on a stranger’s couch.
They held onto that tiny spark of faith, as Laura said:
“We know that she’s finding herself shelter and warmth, and just praying that someone has hopefully even already found her. Maybe she’s sitting on someone’s couch right now.”
The daycare’s owner, Dan Rubenstein, joined the search with his team, combing the South Loop and Grant Park. He called out Minnie’s name over and over, hoping to hear even the faintest response, sharing:
“This is not what we stand for as an organization. We want to take care of dogs, and we want people to be able to trust us, and so we will make the necessary changes and learn from this. Just to know that she’s out there right now in this weather is breaking my heart.”
And they’re not alone. The community rallied in an inspiring way.
People grabbed flashlights, printed flyers, and even brought their own dogs to help track Minnie down.
In a city as massive as Chicago, the way strangers came together to help one lost pup is nothing short of beautiful. Laura shared:
“The whole South Loop community and Chicago at large has had our backs helping, canvassing. People we’ve never met before are bringing out their dogs to come search. It’s a beautiful thing in the sight of this obvious tragedy.”
Minnie is a mixed breed with a shiny black coat and white markings on her chest and three of her paws; her front right paw is all black. She isn’t wearing a collar, which makes keeping an eye out for her even more important.
Despite the freezing nights and the long, fruitless months, her family hasn’t stopped.
They’re holding on to the hope that Minnie is out there somewhere, waiting for the people who love her to bring her home.
Anyone in the Chicago area who spots Minnie is asked to contact her family immediately at 415-717-6650 or 410-960-1516. Every call could be the one that finally brings this brave little girl back to the arms that are waiting for her.
