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Community Corner

Curious Canine's Fantastic Voyage

Dog's two day journey takes him nearly 20 miles from home.

A local family is thrilled to have their dog Oliver back after he wandered close to 20 miles from his Ronkonkoma home. The dog was found last Monday when his journey brought him to Bayshore High School. He was tired but unharmed.

Al Vassallo, after noticing the 7-year-old beagle missing around 2 a.m. two Sundays ago, immediately began the search.  When Bayshore security found the dog he was hungry and understandably exhausted.

"Somehow he walked all the way there, which is impossible," said Vassallo, 56, astonished at Oliver's magnificent journey. "You've got to pass the expressway, the parkway, and Sunrise Highway to get all the way over there."

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One of Vassallo's two daughters had some friends over the night before. One of the girls left the gate open and the dog escaped. The family noticed the dog got out after midnight and started looking around the neighborhood to no avail. Sunday morning they resumed their search for the curious canine, and began calling the pound and their veterinarian for any information.

"We were looking all over, up and down the streets, behind the restaurants," said Vassallo. "He's a great dog. He listens, he doesn't bite. We all missed him."

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Oliver is no stranger to the outside world. The inquisitive pooch has gotten out several times before but never normally strays far from home. He has runaway about five times, usually just trying to get in their neighbor's yard to get the cat food, but hasn't been gone for any extended period of time. Oliver usually turns up near some of the local bars, including Bruno's on Portion Road.

After the search again turned up cold Sunday, the Vassallos received a call from Bayshore High School security worker Trish Hoskins Monday morning that their dog was in their security office and unharmed. The family, who live near the Ronkonkoma Fire Department, got the dog when he was just a puppy.

"We were heart-broken when he was gone," said Vassallo, who went to get Oliver from the school the moment he heard the news. "I was so relieved when I saw him and he started to cry."

When the security force discovered the dog he was lying next to the front stairs of the school. He was shaking like a leaf and understandably very hungry after his long trip. They brought him inside and gave him food and water. It was there that they discovered the dog's tags where they obtained Oliver's serial number and vet's name. The school's staff would not comment for this story.

"I've had dogs in the past get out and go two or three miles, but nothing like this," said Vassallo with amazement in his voice. "It was so nice of them to take care of him and to give us a call. We're just so happy to have him back."

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