The Traveling Paws

Woodrow, Polson’s best known dog, has gained a prominent social media presence on the Mission Valley Safety awareness page as he travels from Mrs. Wonderful’s Café clear across town to Murdochs. Woodrow, beloved dog to the businesses and people of the Polson community, is a mix of husky, lab and pitbull, according to Nola Baxter, his current caretaker. Madeleine Bissegger, an employee at Murdoch’s shares, “He’ll just walk in the front doors and expect treats, and wander around. Everybody knows who he is. If you don’t know, you must not have Facebook.” 

Bissegger describes Woodrow as “super mellow, and he’s never skittish.” He just loves life and wants to get out of the house. Woodrow not only has made an impression on some people in the Lake County community, but “other dogs in the store are friends with him too,” said Bissegger. 

Stageline has also encountered Woodrow. PHS 

junior Indica Moens said,“He comes by my job nearly every day, and we like to feed him ham or pepperoni, and sometimes sausage.” He even does tricks for them, including sitting when told and shaking on command. Currently they are working on teaching him how to spin. Moens said, “We love seeing him come in,” and even refers to Woodrow being Stageline’s mascot. 

Brenda Kraft, a local community member of Polson, has been visited many times by Woodrow. She stated that the first time he showed up at her door, “He came in and he ate and he was worn out, and laid and slept all night.” Since that day he began visiting her almost twice a week. The best description she felt suited him was a “twelve year old boy,” and that “he is the closest to a human I’ve ever seen a dog be in my life.”  Kraft originally felt that Woodrow wasn’t being taken care of, but as she grew to know Woodrow her opinion shifted to realizing, “It’s just who he is.” 

Although Woodrow has been successful in his journeys across town, some community members have expressed concern about his safety. Bissegger said “It’s going to be really sad one day if he does get hit.” She suggests Woodrow’s dad should reinforce their house a little bit. Moens also commented on his recent appearance saying, “He’s been looking very malnourished and skinny.” Worry for Woodrow’s wellbeing has been in question as he roams the streets. 

Although the owners have tried, Woodrow’s owner’s sister, Baxter, who has been watching him for the past four months, said he’s “a skilled escape artist” who can cross a 6-ft fence, despite her attempts to keep him in. He sees being kept in as a challenge, “and if he can’t get out that way, he tries to chew through the gate,” said Baxter. Baxter shares that she has had many dogs in her lifetime, but has “never seen anything like it, like ever in my life.” The whereabouts of Woodrow are not always clear, and Baxter has reported, “two collars have gone missing with his tags on it, and then he runs off from them.” Moens reinforces this by including that, “He’s been showing up with no collar,” to Stageline. Concern in the community has led to people taking away Woodrow’s collar, which is necessary for his owners to be able to bring him home. 

Woodrow seems to have a drive to see the community and does not appreciate being stuck at home when he could go out and visit the people of Polson instead. Baxter said, “He needs something to do all the time,” and Bissegger adds, “He’s just looking for some friendship.” By being around the community Woodrow brightens others with his cheerful demeanor. Kraft expresses her love for Woodrow: “I just look forward to seeing him. He makes me happy.”