A Minnesota trucker has had quite a week – and all because of his dog Checkers.

When OOIDA member Tom Nelson was putting the chocks out at an industrial park in Florence, Alabama, Oct. 7, Checkers jumped out of his cab’s partially open window and ran off.

Nelson tried to coax Checkers back to the truck, but the Brittany spaniel wouldn’t cooperate.

“I approached her four times, and she just didn’t want to quit running. She’s a really high-energy dog,” Nelson said.

Nelson stayed until dark – but by then, Checkers had disappeared. He didn’t want to leave, but he had to haul his load back to Minneapolis.

Once he got there, he called his dispatcher and took the week off. Then he got in his personal pickup and drove 900 miles back to Florence on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

After a lengthy search – including talking with a local TV and radio station – Nelson found Checkers in a remote area where workers at the industrial park had been setting out food and water for her.

“I walked right up to her,” said Nelson. “She knew me, so she was ecstatic to see me and that I had found her.”

Although, she had a broken leg when she was found, Nelson said Checkers is recovering quite well.

“She’s in a cast that’s on her foot, and she hobbles around, but she’s tickled pink to be home,” Nelson said.

Nelson says he thinks Checkers learned a valuable lesson about the perils of running away.

Checkers will continue to ride with Nelson and Checkers as they were be back in the rig Friday, Oct. 14, – hauling a load to Texas.

For Nelson’s sake – it is hoped Checkers stays in the cab this time.

Reed Black, staff writer
reed_black@landlinemag.com