SWFHriver - by Fiona Jackson<br /><br />A dog has been adopted after inspiring a week-long rescue mission when she escaped and swam 3,300 feet across a river.<br /><br />Rescue pup Allie slipped her collar and ran away from her owner last year, and swam across the width of the Ohio River and into another state.<br /><br />She was timid, and ran from everyone who tried to capture her, until one week later rescuers finally gained her trust and were able to trap her.<br /><br />After spending a whole year with trainer Michelle Phillips, 51, working on her trust issues, she was finally adopted - by Michelle.<br /><br />Michelle, from Boonville, Indiana, USA, said: "I really decided quite early on that she wasn't going anywhere.<br /><br />"I believe dogs are family and mine have a good life, every dog deserves a loving home and a chance.<br /><br />"I could not stand to put her through anything more so I really thought, what better time than the year 'anniversary' of finding her?"<br /><br />On December 5 2020, Allie escaped from her then-owner's home in downtown Evansville.<br /><br />The timid pooch then raced towards the huge Ohio River, jumped in and started to swim.<br /><br />Rescuers from Evansville Police, Fire and Animal Control departments attempted to fish her out the river but she wouldn't go close, and narrowly missed a barge as she fled.<br /><br />"I raced down there and found several people watching her in the water and said she had gone under several times," said Michelle<br /><br />After an hour-long swim, the cross-breed pup reached the bank of the river into Henderson County, Kentucky and dashed into the woodland.<br /><br />A week-long rescue mission was then initiated, with volunteers and rescuers going into the forest daily to try and coax her to safety.<br /><br />She ran away from everyone who came close, and even asked locals to refrain from trying to catch her or lure her with food.<br /><br />Drones, cameras and traps were all set up but proved fruitless until handlers from shelter It Takes A Village started trying to regain her trust.<br /><br />They went into the woods armed with treats and trained dogs, but every time she caught site of a lead she'd retreat.<br /><br />Eventually the volunteers were able to coax her into an open field and, six hours later, managed to fence her in and leash her up.<br /><br />In fact, the dog that first located Allie and was instrumental in luring her back was another ex-shelter dog, Arlo.<br /><br />Bar being tired and hungry, the pooch was in good health and was placed in the care of volunteer trainer Michelle to help her become a family dog.<br /><br />Purchasing Manager Michelle said: "We just brought her home and she went and laid down on our couch. <br /><br />"I don't think she moved much that first night, we just let her be. <br /><br />"She was extremely fearful of people, dog leashes, and just scared."<br /><br />They were only meant to spend a few months training together, but after a year of bonding, Michelle decided to adopt Allie permanently this month.<br /><br />She said: "She is so loving, she is happy, loves to sleep next to me at night. <br /><br />"She loves to run down the driveway and she has a long stride so my chihuahua Bettle loves to try to beat her, Allie will always win. <br /><br />""She is a great member of my pack and I use her for training sessions with other dogs as she is great at being a calm dog and understands dog language. <br /><br />"I never have to worry that she will be aggressive or cause issues with any other dog."<br /><br />ENDS
