Understanding Scrim the Rescue Dog
I cannot imagine anyone in New Orleans who is not familiar with the amazing story of Scrim, the rescue dog. His story is now so iconic, he was named the Grand Marshall of the Krewe of Barkus for 2025 and has made appearances in several Carnival parades.
His story is not without controversy, of course, because nothing can happen these days without controversy. I described him as a “rescue dog,” which itself betrays my view of his story. Others have described him as the “Houdini hound,” a “runaway dog,” and a “hero.”
Scrim – a medium-sized, terrier mix with adorably large ears was initially slated for euthanasia before Zeus’s Rescues brought himinto their no-kill shelter. Then, he got loose from his newly adoptive family on his first night there. All summer in 2024, everyone in the city followed as a dedicated team tracked him across the city and into Jefferson Parish. Each time they’d get close, he’d bolt.
Eventually, they caught him! But, within days, he chewed through a window screen and jumped from a second story balcony. He was on the run for another four months before finally being caught again recently, this time with the help of Trap Dat Cat. He is now safe and secure, reportedly sleeping A LOT.
Some people weep that Scrim obviously wanted to be “free” and that the rescuers are holding him prisoner. One can certainly imagine a great animated film in which Scrim stars as the dog no one could tame!
Understanding Rescue Dogs
I wonder how many of those making the argument that Scrim should’ve been left to his own devices have ever had a traumatized rescue dog.
I am by no means an expert, but my family recently welcomed a second rescue into our home. Captain came to usright before Christmas. Reportedly 2-5 years old, it was obvious he was much older than that when we met him.
I thought I was prepared. We have another rescue dog who acclimated to our home within about five minutes. Much like children, no two dogs are the same, however.
We’re now about two months into this relationship and he is just now beginning to feel safe and secure. Captain was a matted mess when he went into the rescue. His atrophied back legs suggest he spent a lot of time in a cage and was probably not exercised. His matted hair that had to be shaved off indicated he was neglected, and his suspicion of us for several weeks tells us he was not used to affection or positive attention.
He’s probably about 12 years old. He has cataracts. He’s mostly deaf. He can’t jump (but now he’s trying!) and is slow on stairs. He has heartworms, which will take months of treatment to eliminate safely. He bit my husband within the first few days and has snapped at the rest of us. He growls at himself when he scratches himself. At first, we couldn’t pick him up or really touch him at all without a risk of biting.
After two months, he now occasionally curls up in my lap. He lets everyone in our family touch him – for a few seconds each, as long as they let him know they’re coming by letting him sniff their hands first. I can pick him up almost whenever I need to. He gets excited at meal time and lays at my side or my feet while I work. But, I can still tell that there are moments every day when he is scared and startled.
My kids were so excited about getting a second dog. We all imagined how the two dogs would play together and how we’d all cuddle on the couch to watch TV. Our experience has obviously been quite different.
So, I don’t think Scrim was “free” when he was out running the city. He wasn’t partying or having fun. He was likely terrified. The bullets that were removed, his missing teeth, and the chunk of ear that was torn off tell he had good reason to be scared.
I am so grateful for rescue operations that take the time to place these traumatized dogs in good homes. I hope Scrim lives a long life, full of fun and running around – safely – with treats and blankets aplenty.
