'Frickin' Smart' Dog Runs a Mile to Her Doggy Daycare for Help After Escaping Car Accident

Aries, a 3-year-old pit bull mix, found her way to Michigan's Hounds Town Metro Detroit after jumping out of her owner's car window following the crash

A Detroit area woman was sick with worry after her dog got spooked and fled the scene of a car crash they were in together. Thankfully, her clever pit bull mix was just looking for help in a familiar place.

In an interview with WXYZ, Melissa Fickel said that her dog Aries, whom she adopted in 2020, has always struck her as a smart pup. Aries learns tricks quickly and loves visits to the park.

On Saturday, Aries had an opportunity to show off her intelligence. Fickel and her dog were headed to a local park when another car ran into her vehicle, according to WXYZ. Although no one was injured, and there were just minor damages to the vehicles, Aries was spooked by the accident. According to Fickel, the dog jumped out the window immediately after the crash and ran off.

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"I had the windows down because Aries likes to hang her head out," Fickel told the ABC affiliate station. "As soon as there was that smack, as soon as I felt and heard it, almost instantaneously, she was out the window."

"I can't really think about it because so many things could've happened," she said, adding that she was concerned her dog could have run into traffic or become lost.

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But 3-year-old Aries knew precisely where she was going. According to the owner of Hounds Town Metro Detroit — a doggy daycare and boarding facility in Troy, Michigan, that Aries frequently visits — the canine traveled over one mile from the accident site to the daycare.

Travis Ogden, the owner of the daycare, tells PEOPLE that two Hounds Town employees were in the lobby when Aries ran up and started jumping up and down at the facility's front door.

Initially, Ogden thought it might be a stray dog looking to say hello — but as he got closer, he recognized Aries immediately.

"I was like, 'Oh, that looks like Aries.' And then she walks closer, and I'm like, 'That is Aries!'" he says. "I start to pet her, and she gives me kisses, and she rolls over for me, recognizing me."

After greeting Aries, Ogden says he called Fickel to see what was happening. He learned about the minor crash and Aries' escape and assured the pet parent that the dog was safe, aside from a small cut on her paw. Hounds Town looked after the pooch until Fickel sorted out the car accident and was able to collect the pet.

"She's a frickin' smart smart pup. She just knew where her safe place was after being so panicked from the car accident," he finished. "It made my day to see the girl."

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