Mugsy was the family pet of Glenn Maloney and his children Megan and Kevin. Mugsy was hit by a car outside his girlfriend Viola Tiszl’s house in Severna Park, MD while she was watching the children.
Glenn rushed to the dog’s side.
“I picked Mugsy up,” he told PEOPLE,” but he died in my arms.” He checked the 4-year-old Jack Russell Terrier for a heartbeat, breathing, and any signs of life, but there were none.
Said a prayer
He worked quickly to bury the beloved family pet, not wanting his kids to see what condition the dog was in.
“I was really upset. So I buried him quick and I didn’t even tell the children,” Maloney told Oprah. “I didn’t have the nerve to tell the children, until like seven o’clock that night. Mugsy was dead.”
When he finally told the kids, they were very sad and went outside to Mugsy’s grave to have a small ceremony. They said a prayer for their little friend and went inside for the night.
But, at 5:30 the next morning, they heard scratching at the door…
He seemed okay
Glenn opened the back door and was completely shocked to see Mugsy, tail wagging happily. The couple was so shocked that Viola even argued that Glenn must have buried a different dog that was hit. This couldn’t possibly be the same dog.
But, after the initial shock wore off and they looked closer, they could see that Mugsy had been through an ordeal.
“Mugsy was covered with dirt and his eyes were bloodshot,” said Viola But otherwise, he seemed okay. “Jack Russells are bred to burrow after foxes. I guess when he woke up in that hole, he just thought it was another old hole and he dug his way out, not knowing it was supposed to be his grave.”
They took Mugsy to the veterinarian, who had their own thoughts on what may have happened and how he was mistaken for dead:
“The vet said that probably after six hours, he actually dug his way out,” Viola told Oprah. “His heart rate and everything was so slow that it was not obvious that he was alive. He had no vital signs.”
Watch the amazing story in the video below:
This dog is a tough little survivor! Please like and share his story!