Fish gotta swim, birds gotta fly, and in Longville, Minnesota, dogs gotta walk. At least one dog, anyway.
For the past 12 years, a Chesapeake-Lab mix named Bruno has been regularly walking four miles (eight miles round trip) to downtown Longville from his country home to socialize, collect treats, and hang around. His almost daily commute has made Bruno a beloved town legend.
“Everybody knows Bruno,” resident Sharon Rouse told KARE11 News. “[You] may not know the people, but you’ll know Bruno.”
The pup belongs to Larry and Debbie LaVallee, who took Bruno in after he appeared in a box on their driveway over a decade ago. They tried to keep him tied up, but the dog’s desire to roam was too great, and he started making his way to town every day.
Now, he’s somewhat of a celebrity, with regular stops at city hall, the ice cream shop, and the back door of a local grocery store, where employees help Bruno fuel up with deli counter scraps. People know and greet Bruno, sometimes to the surprise of the LaVallees, who only know a fraction of their dog’s many admirers. His wandering has even earned him the title of “Town Dog and Ambassador,” which is set in literal stone in a Longville statue.
As he’s gotten older, Bruno’s trips down Highway 84 have slowed a bit. According to The Kansas City Star, the canine sometimes even takes a break, settling down right in the middle of the road. It’s no problem though—the town that opens its doors to the rambling pup is also more than willing to drive around him.
To see Bruno in action, check out the report from KARE11 below, and to see updated photos, head on over to the dog’s Facebook page.
[h/t WLTX-TV]
Know of something you think we should cover? Email us at tips@mentalfloss.com.
September 10, 2016 – 4:00pm