His Dog Was Staring So Intently At The Wall This Man Had No Choice But To Investigate
George Miller watched as his dog, Crosby, stared endlessly at one of the walls of their home. The dog did this day in and day out. Finally, George decided to install a camera to try and find out what Crosby was so interested in.
After looking at the taped footage, George walked to the wall, which delighted Crosby. What the young man found provided the answer to all his questions.
George Miller Was A Bachelor
Living in a different city from the rest of your family can get lonely and was something George Miller wasn't used to. He preferred to have a support team around him at all times but had moved far away from his family.
So, he decided to do something about his loneliness and find a companion. But this companion didn't come in the form of a human partner. No, George was thinking of something with four legs, not two!
Crosby The Dog Became Part Of George Miller's Little Family
The 29-year-old was getting a bit lonely in his new city. So, to make himself feel a bit more at home while he was away from his family, George Miller decided to adopt a dog. Crosby was loving, loyal, and just what George needed in his new city.
He and Crosby hit it off right away. However, there was something about George's fuzzy friend that he was eventually going to find out. And, trust us, it's something really unexpected.
Crosby's Behavior Changed
It took George Miller a while to figure out what his dog was doing. He'd never seen Crosby do something like this, after all. And George had adopted him a few years back!
For all George could tell, Crosby was a typical, loving, goofy dog who loved people and making friends with other animals at the park. But now everything was changing, and George didn't really know what to do about the situation.
Crosby Had Friends Next Door, A Cat And A Dog
It doesn't take much for Crosby to befriend other animals. The next-door neighbor's dog and cat were pretty much Crosby's best friends, always playing and getting into antics with one another. Unfortunately, Crosby's two best fur-friends passed away one after the other.
While their owner was obviously heartbroken, they weren't the only one. Crosby was devastated over the loss of his two friends. What was George going to do now?
Pets Long For Companionship
Like humans, pets want companionship. That's why they're typically extremely loyal to their humans and want nothing more than to be around them at all times. The same goes for their friends.
When they lose a close buddy, they feel a sense of sadness, similar to a person losing someone they love. After losing the neighbor cat and dog, it makes sense that Crosby would be a little unhappy. But that wasn't even the reason for his unusual behavior.
Crosby Started Acting A Little Differently
George Miller and Crosby had been together for a few years and stuck to a daily routine of walks, feeding, more walks, and, of course, playtime. George didn't really notice anything out of the ordinary at first.
That is until he came home one day expecting Crosby to meet him with kisses at the door, and he wasn't there. Instead, George's pooch was doing something a bit strange, and out of the ordinary... something George couldn't explain.
Crosby Wasn't Answering To His Name
George was expecting Crosby to meet him at the door when he returned home. It's what the pooch typically did, after all. But this day was different. Something had caught Crosby's attention and he was so enthralled by whatever it was that he didn't even answer when George called his name.
After calling out to the dog multiple times, George decided to see what had gotten his friend's attention. It must be very interesting for Crosby not to run to the door and greet him.
The Living Room Wall Was Crosby's Obsession
After calling Crosby's name a few times, George Miller decided to get down to his dog's level and see what was interesting him so much. As it turned out, it was the living room wall! How odd.
Crosby was staring so intently at the wall it was as if nothing else existed around him, including his owner. George was a bit confused because there wasn't anything unusual about the living room wall, at least to his human senses.
Crosby Was Acting Paranoid
Kneeling down to Crosby's level, George Miller didn't see anything wrong with the living room wall. So, why was Crosby so interested in it? And what caught the dog's attention in the first place?
Like any good pet owner, George was concerned for his fuzzy companion. Crosby was typically a fun-loving pooch. But whatever was "wrong" with the wall had him very paranoid. What exactly was causing that paranoia was a total mystery, though.
George Couldn't Figure Out What Crosby Was Staring At
In an attempt to calm Crosby down, George touched him, saying, "what is it, boy?" Petting him was the only time Crosby snapped out of his staring contest with the wall. Otherwise, his eyes were pinned to the paint, looking at some unknown object.
George was just happy to see there wasn't actually anything wrong with his dog. At first, he thought Crosby was losing his hearing. Now, he realized, Crosby was transfixed on the living room wall. Was it a bug that George couldn't see?
Soon, The Wall Was All But Forgotten
As much as George hoped and wished, Crosby wasn't staring at a bug on the wall. He didn't know it yet, but Crosby's focus was on something much bigger than a creepy-crawly that happened to make its way into the house.
After a while, however, Crosby seemed to return to normal. He left the wall behind, ate some dinner, and snuggled with his owner like the wall had been forgotten.
George Woke Up To See Crosby Back At The Wall
In the middle of the night, George Miller woke up needing a glass of water. On his way to the kitchen, though, the last thing he expected to see was Crosby once again staring at the living room wall.
It was pitch dark! What in the world was the dog looking at, and why couldn't George see it? Unlike an hour earlier, Crosby seemed a bit different now. Almost as if the dog was experiencing sadness.
George Decided To Buy A Camera
The next day, George Miller decided he would figure out why his dog was staring at the living room wall. Before work, he decided to go out and buy a night vision camera, setting it up in his living room in hopes of spotting what Crosby was looking at.
But he didn't look at the footage right away. George wanted at least two days' worth of "evidence" to help him figure out what was going on with his dog.
The Camera Was A Bust
To George Miller's surprise, the footage didn't show Crosby looking at the living room wall. It turned out that he really only did that when George was around, adding yet another mystery to this whole experience.
It was almost as if Crosby was trying to tell George something about the wall but had no way to communicate with him other than staring. Well, the staring definitely caught George's attention! He just had no idea what it meant.
Crosby Was Definitely Trying To Communicate Something
Crosby might not speak English, but he was definitely trying to signal something to George Miller. Barking, scratching, and jumping around might be to go-to forms of communication for most dogs. but Crosby was sticking to staring.
Now, it was a matter of figuring out why he was staring and what he was trying to say to George. Was he completely missing something? Or was Crosby trying to tell him something important?
Crosby Was Happy About Something
George Miller was stumped. He had no clue why Crosby was staring at the living room wall. Still, he went into the room and took another look, thinking he was missing something. Something unexpected happened when he walked into the room, though.
Crosby started playfully barking, following George into the living room! It was the most energetic and happy George had seen his pooch since the neighbor's cat and dog had passed away.
George Inspected The Wall A Bit More
Egged on by his barking dog, George Miller got down on his hands and knees to further inspect the wall. That's when Crosby started barking more. It was like an odd game of "hot or cold," only one of the players couldn't exactly speak English, and the other had no clue if a bark meant hot or cold.
George soon found out why Crosby was so intent on staring at the wall, though.
There Was Something In The Wall
After further inspection of the wall, George Miller heard an odd sound. It didn't take long for him to realize the sound was coming from inside the wall! This must have been the reason why Crosby had been staring at it for so many days.
Now the question was what on earth could possibly be stuck in the wall, and how was he supposed to get it, whatever it was, out? His heart was pounding with the realization.
There Was A Hole In The Wall
Finally, George Miller was getting somewhere! There was definitely something in his living room wall, and that was why Crosby had been staring at it. Now, it was a matter of finding a way to get whatever "it" was out.
After looking more closely at the wall, George noticed some wood paneling had become loose near the floor. He removed it, noticing a hole in the drywall. Coming this far, he decided to go all-in, sticking his hand into the hole.
George Stuck His Arm Into The Hole
After finding the hole in the wall, George decided he had to find out as much as he could. So, obviously, that meant sticking his hand into the hole and maneuvering it all the way up to his elbow.
Moving his hand around the inside of the wall, George's eyes widened in disbelief. What on earth was he feeling? Was something living in his living room wall? He closed his fist around as much debris as he could and brought it out of the wall.
Lots Of Dust, Dirt, And Debris
George Miller felt around the inside of the wall for a bit before realizing there was much more than just dust and drywall particles on the ground. With as much care as possible, George closed his fist around the debris and pulled it from the wall.
Opening his fist, he was confused when he saw drywall, dust, insulation, and dirt. There had to be something else inside of the wall. That's when he heard the cries.
George Reached Further Down The Hole
George Miller knew he was close to figuring out why Crosby was staring at the wall when the cries began. Hearing the first one, George flung his arm back into the hole, hoping for a better outcome the second time around.
With as much force as he could, George stretched his arm further down the hole. That's when he felt something small and soft. Considering what his findings were the first time around, he didn't think it was anything more than insulation. Boy, was he wrong!
Something Was Making Noise!
George Miller thought the small and soft object was nothing more than insulation. That is, until he heard a small whine. That sound was definitely not coming from insulation! George closed his hand around the creature with great care and tried to wiggle it out of the wall.
Of course, this is easier said than done. And the creature didn't exactly take to a strange and large "creature" taking it from its home.
It Was A Kitten
Finally, George Miller was able to get the creature out of the wall. To his utmost surprise, it turned out to be a tiny kitten! How in the world did it end up in the paneling between his living room and washroom?
Even weirder, the kitten looked strangely like Crosby's late feline friend from next door. Did his dog have something to do with this kitten's lodging in the wall?
Now It Was Time To Find The Kitten's Mama
George Miller couldn't believe a tiny kitten was living in his wall all this time! The poor thing was covered in dust. Who knew how long it'd been living there. One thing was for certain, though, George needed a plan of action.
Was the neighbor's cat its mother? Or was another cat wandering around wondering where its baby is? George knew one thing; this kitten didn't find its way inside the wall by itself. Crosby must have helped.
First Things First: A Bath
First things first, George Miller wanted to clean the tiny kitten up. Using a damp cloth, he washed the kitten of dust. But that pretty much ended his knowledge of how to take care of a kitten that must be no more than a few weeks old.
While George was wracking his brain on what his next move should be, Crosby was wagging his tail, overjoyed by the tiny creature his owner was holding.
George Went Door To Door Asking About An Owner
Crosby might have been excited about the house guest, but George Miller had no clue how to take care of a kitten. He hoped its owner lived nearby. So, George went ahead and started asking around his neighborhood if anyone was looking for a lost kitten.
While no one claimed the tiny creature as their own, the neighbors were saying the kitten looked familiar. She must be a stray, meaning a veterinarian visit was in order!
The Kitten Was Nice And Healthy
George Miller brought the kitten to the veterinarian for a checkup. Thankfully, aside from being hungry and dirty, nothing was wrong with the creature! Unfortunately, she didn't have a chip either, so there was no way for George to find its owner.
And with no one responding to his "lost kitten" posters and Facebook pages, George was at a loss. The time was coming where he was going to have to make a tough decision.
George Needed A Plan
With no one coming forward to claim the kitten, George Miller was going to have to make a tough decision. Crosby was obviously thrilled with the tiny creature, turning back into his joyful and happy self after his two fur-friends' deaths.
But George didn't want a kitten. He talked to the veterinarian about other options, such as a shelter. It crushed him, but he wanted to make sure the kitten was in good hands.
George Needed A Plan B
The vet was real with George, though, telling him the kitten was likely to be put down if he brought it to a shelter. During an interview, George said, "The vet basically told me that if I took her to the shelter, she'd be put down because there are already over 300 kittens at the county shelter alone that need homes."
"He said I could try putting her outside and hope she goes home, or I could keep her."
The Kitten Became Part Of The Family
After hearing that bit of information, it didn't take long for George to decide to keep the kitten. Crosby already seemed to take a liking to the tiny creature anyway. So, he took the kitten home.
Right away, George could see Crosby was overjoyed. He was going to have an animal companion in the house! Not to mention the kitten now had a loving home and brother to play with. It was a win-win!
Lil Ray-Ray And Crosby Became Fast Friends
George decided to name the kitten Lil Ray-Ray and made a vow to pay a bit more attention to Crosby when he does something out of the ordinary. Like, say, staring at a wall for longer than necessary!
And even though he didn't really want a kitten, George knew he made the right choice. Crosby and Lil Ray-Ray were like each other's long-lost soulmates, becoming instant friends, partners in crime, and of course, napping buddies.
Alhanna and Ricky Were Dreaming of Being Parents
Alhanna and her fiance Ricky had an instant connection when they met. They knew they wanted to spend their lives together and start a family, so they decided to try for a baby right away.
At times it seemed like Alhanna would never conceive, but then one day, she received the greatest news of all: she was pregnant! Alhanna and Ricky's family was about to get bigger, but they had another baby to consider…their fur baby!
Keola Was Just As Excited That Her Mom Was Pregnant
It didn't take long for Alhanna and Ricky’s dog Keola, an American Akita, to realize that Mom was pregnant. While Keola had always been a sweet pup ready to cuddle at any moment, it was clear that seeing her Mom like this made her feel even more tender.
Keola was constantly by Alhanna’s side as her belly grew bigger by the day. Instead of going out on the town, most evenings were spent relaxing on the couch with Keola’s head resting on Mom’s belly.
Keola Started Acting Strange
By the time Alhanna was around four months pregnant, Keola started acting strangely. The usually peaceful and snuggly pup suddenly seemed to be completely different. Instead of watching over Mom with a gentle touch, Keola started whimpering and pawing at Alhanna's belly for what seemed like hours.
At one point, Keola tried to bury her nose in Alhanna’s belly like she was trying to get something out. At first, Alhanna and Ricky didn’t think twice about their dog’s behavior.
Alhanna's Pregnancy Seemed to Be Going off Without a Hitch
Alhanna truly enjoyed being pregnant. At the beginning of her pregnancy, she was lucky enough to avoid experiencing any of the less-than-ideal symptoms some moms-to-be have to deal with. She and Ricky were eager to meet their little one. They couldn't wait to become parents and start growing their family and by the looks of it, the rest of Alhanna’s pregnancy was going to be a breeze.
Keola continued to act weird around Alhanna, poking and prodding at her belly, but the couple concluded it was just a phase.
Alhanna Started Feeling Sharp Pains
Alhanna's pregnancy was going great until she hit 16 weeks and the unthinkable happened. It was then that she suddenly started experiencing sharp pains in her lower back. The pain was so severe that she could hardly walk or talk. Doubled over in pain, her mind went to the worst case scenario.
Was her baby alright? Would she and Ricky get to live out their dream of becoming parents? Ricky rushed his fiance to the hospital and prayed for the best.
Alhanna Was Rushed to the Hospital
Doubled over with pain, Ricky rushed Alhanna to the hospital where a doctor saw her right away. The couple was anticipating scary news, but to their surprise, the doctor said Alhanna and the baby were fine.
The medical staff told Alhanna and Ricky that the pregnancy was taking its toll on her body and that she simply needed to take it easy and get as much rest as possible until the baby was born. Relieved, Alhanna and Ricky went home.
The Couple Was Relieved to Be Home (and Exhausted!)
Alhanna and Ricky left the hospital and headed home. The two were so relieved that their baby was healthy. All they wanted to do was get home and relax while cuddling with their pup Keola.
Alhanna was still experiencing sharp pain in her lower back, but all she could do now was trust in her doctor. She returned home, got comfortable in bed, and tried to sleep off the lingering pain that she was feeling.
Venting On Facebook
The next day, Alhanna shared an update on her Facebook so her friends and family would know what was going on. She detailed her scary symptoms and how her doctor told her she and her baby were fine. Alhanna also added how Keola had been acting strangely the last few weeks.
Friends and family were quick to offer their support for the couple, but many weren't shy about commenting on Keola’s behavior. Soon enough, Alhanna had multiple people urging her to trust Keola’s instinct, saying that she should go back to the doctor.
Was Keola Trying to Tell Her Something?
At this point, Alhanna didn't know what to do. The last few days had been completely exhausting for the mom-to-be and she didn’t want to step on her doctor’s toes by insisting that something might be wrong.
But after her pain didn’t let up, Alhanna was starting to believe that Keola might be right. After all, Keola’s behavior had been extremely unusual for some time now. Was it possible that Keola was trying to tell her something?
Alhanna's Mom Steps In
By now, Alhanna was hearing from friends and family from all over that she should go back to the doctor. She didn't feel her best but still, she was unsure what to do. It wasn’t until one person, in particular, urged her to get a second medical opinion that she changed her mind: her mom.
Alhanna’s mom was certain that Keola’s behavior wasn’t a coincidence. The next day, Alhanna decided to go to work and deal with the pain, but something very bad was about to happen.
Keola Blocked the Door So Alhanna Couldn't Go to Work
The next morning, Alhanna woke up, still in pain. She decided, however, that she would try and tough it out at work. She got ready and was about to head out the door when Keola wouldn't let her leave. She was jumping up and down and whining while barricading the door.
Alhanna had no idea what had gotten into Keola. Then, Alhanna collapsed. Ricky heard the commotion and quickly rushed Alhanna to the emergency room.
Alhanna and Her Family Look for Answers
Now in the emergency room, Alhanna was stabilized and explained her ongoing symptoms, although she didn't insist she was partially returning because of Keola. The doctor gave Alhanna a thorough exam and ran a series of tests to determine if there was anything serious causing Alhanna’s pain and collapse or if it was simply the stress of her pregnancy as the other doctor had suggested.
Alhanna, Ricky, and her mom patiently waited for the results.
She Had a Double Kidney Infection
After her exam and series of tests, Alhanna's doctor returned with bad news. Alhanna didn’t just have a kidney infection, she had a double kidney infection. More than that, her vitals were so bad that if she had waited any longer, Alhanna and her baby could have died.
On one hand, Alhanna was relieved the pain wasn’t all in her head, but now she feared for her life and her unborn baby’s life.
Undergoing Treatment
Alhanna's doctor knew that time was of the essence. She was at serious risk of losing her pregnancy, or worse, both she and the baby’s lives. Her doctor placed her on a serious regimen of antibiotics and provided the necessary care and treatment to stop any further damage to her kidneys.
Alhanna felt like she was now in good hands, but she was completely distraught over the prospect of losing her child.
The Treatment Worked
After a few scary and stressful weeks, Alhanna completed her antibiotic regimen and got plenty of rest. Along the way her doctor carefully monitored Alhanna and the baby. Thankfully, the care and treatment worked. Alhanna's kidney infections cleared up and she and her baby were happy and healthy.
All that was left for Alhanna and Ricky to do now was to wait for the arrival of their newest family member!
Alhanna and Ricky Welcomed a Healthy Baby Boy
Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, Alhanna gave birth in November of 2015. She and Ricky welcomed a precious baby boy whom they named Lincoln.
The couple was instantly smitten. They couldn't believe that after all this time, they were finally parents. And although Alhanna had dealt with a serious health scare, Lincoln was here and he was healthy! The couple couldn’t have asked for more. Above all, they were so grateful for Keola.
Bringing Lincoln Home
After Lincoln was born, Alhanna and Ricky spent a few days with him in the hospital. The couple was excited to finally get to bring their little man home, mostly so they could introduce Lincoln to Keola.
While reflecting on her pregnancy, Alhanna couldn't stop thinking about Keola and how she was trying to tell Alhanna something was wrong for weeks. Alhanna felt an immense love for Keola and didn’t know how she would ever repay her precious pup.
Keola Was Smitten With Lincoln
Alhanna and Ricky returned home with their newest addition in tow. Keola was immediately ecstatic when she realized that Mom and Dad had a new baby brother with them. Just as Alhanna and Ricky thought, Keola was instantly smitten with Lincoln.
Right off the bat, Keola was extremely interested in Lincoln and would not leave her little brother's side. It was like Keola had known Lincoln all along.
Keola Was Always at Lincoln's Side
Alhanna and Ricky now realized that Keola had been trying to tell them something was wrong the entire time. So naturally, they weren't surprised when Keola had a very strong bond with their son.
From the moment they brought Lincoln home, Keola was always by his side. Whether Lincoln was napping, feeding on the couch, or playing with toys in his room, Keola was there. Lincoln had a built-in best friend!
Gentle at Heart
Keola is a big dog compared to a tiny baby, so naturally, Alhanna, Ricky, and their friends and family were worried about her accidentally harming Lincoln. But after seeing the two interact, it was apparant that Keola realized their size difference. Keola was always sure to be extra gentle around Lincoln whenever the two were cuddling or playing.
It really did seem like Keola had that "sixth sense" some animals seem to possess!
Growing Up Together
Before Alhanna and Ricky knew it, Lincoln was turning one year old. He was truly growing up right in front of their own eyes – and fast! Throughout the first year of his life, Keola was always there was Lincoln's side. The two spent hours playing together, going on walks with Mom and Dad, and cuddling.
It was clear that the two had a very unique and special bond that you don’t see every day!
Ready for a Walk!
One of the family's favorite things to do together is going on long walks around their neighborhood and at the park. While Alhanna and Ricky push Lincoln in his stroller, Keola is always trotting alongside his little brother and best friend.
What’s even more adorable is that Alhanna says Keola knows when it’s time for their daily walk. When she gets Lincoln dressed, Keola knows it’s almost time and starts jumping up and down.
Nap Time Is a Whole Lot Cuter These Days
Of course, going on a long walk can be tiring, so nap time is a must. Never to leave her best friend behind, Keola insists on taking naps with Lincoln. It doesn't get much cuter than this does it?
It’s clear that Keola and Lincoln share a special bond. Alhanna and Ricky knew the two’s bond was special, but they never anticipated others would think their dog and son’s close relationship was special too.
Honoring Keola
Alhanna truly felt like Keola had saved her life and Lincoln's lives. She believed Keola a was hero and apparently, everyone else did too! Keola’s story went viral and soon enough, she was nominated for an Animal Hero Award by the RSPCA.
As part of being nominated, Keola got to attend the award ceremony with Alhanna and Ricky where she received an award and, of course, lots of dog treats for being a true animal hero.
That Smile Says It All
Lincoln may still be just a baby, but it's apparent that he understands the special bond between him and Keola and we’re sure their bond will only strengthen with time.
It’s tough to imagine how things would have turned out for Alhanna and Lincoln had Keola not been there to tell everyone something was wrong. Thanks to Keola, both Mom and baby are doing great. Just look at that smile! We think it says it all.
Lincoln Is Happy and Healthy
Now that Lincoln is a toddler, Alhanna and Ricky often find themselves reflecting on her pregnancy and the serious double kidney infection that almost took her and Lincoln's lives.
The parents are so grateful for Keola’s warning and feel immensely lucky that Lincoln is happy and healthy today. Not only do Alhanna and Ricky get to watch their son thrive, but they get to watch him do so alongside Keola.
Alhanna and Ricky Still Think Back On Her Pregnancy Scare
Alhanna, Ricky, Lincoln, and Keola's story goes to show that sometimes your pets really are trying to tell you something. Perhaps, we’d all be better off if we listened. "I have absolutely no doubt that both me and my son Lincoln would not be here today if it was no for Keola," Alhanna said in an interview with the Daily Mirror.
“The bond between Keola and Lincoln is indescribable,” Alhanna added. “She’s an amazing dog and neither of us would be here without her.”
Can Dogs Really Tell When Something Is Wrong?
Some people might think that Keola's behavior was just a coincidence, but many pet owners say that their furry friend can tell when something is wrong. So can dogs (and animals in general) really tell when something is awry? Science says yes!
Animals, dogs in particular, have special ways to tell if a person is ill. One of the ways they can tell is by their strong sense of smell. Some dogs have as much as 50 times the amount of scene receptors as humans, making their sense of smell nearly 100,000 times stronger than ours.
Dogs Can Tell If Someone Is Sick By Their Sense of Smell
When someone is sick, their body chemistry can change. As a result, a dog's sensitive sniffer might be able to pick up on these changes – even if they’re subtle. Some dogs are even trained to sniff out certain serious illnesses like cancer. Believe it or not, some dogs can smell lung cancer on someone’s breath or pinpoint the approximate location of a tumor.
When Alhanna was suffering from a double kidney infection, Keola was able to pick up on her changing body chemistry.
Dogs Can Also Sense Pregnancy
Another amazing thing about dogs is that they can sometimes sense if a woman is pregnant. Thanks again to their amazing sense of smell, a dog can detect when a woman's hormones change. Dogs typically know the scent of their owner, but since pregnancy hormones can alter a woman’s scent, this can cause the dog’s behavior to change.
Scientists point out that dogs don’t likely know that this change in scent means their own is pregnant – they simply pick up on the change in scent and may act differently.
