Family Dog Walks Into Hospital Where Owner Is Fighting Cancer

A 10-year-old miniature schnauzer named Sissy walked nearly 20 blocks from home to an Iowa hospital where her owner has been recovering from complications of a cancer-related surgery, according to a report.

Nancy Franck told NBC affiliate KWWL this week that she thought her daughter, Sarah Wood, had brought the dog to Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids, where she has been recovering for the past two weeks.

"I said, 'Did you sneak this dog in?' Sarah said, 'No, (Sissy) snuck herself in,'" Franck said.

The dog was "on a mission," she added.

Nancy Franck's husband Dale had been taking care of Sissy and the dog's brother, Barney, since she was hospitalized. Dale said he took the dogs out for a walk and thought they both came back in the house. 

Dale said he called the animal shelter and Cedar Rapids police after noticing that only Barney had returned.

About four hours later, he got a call from the hospital.

“They say, 'We have a little dog here,'" he recalled.

A surveillance camera inside the hospital lobby showed the dog entering through the automatic doors. Sissy also appeared to be sniffing.

Sissy had never run away before and had no idea where the hospital was, the family said.

Franck, who was able to spend a few minutes with Sissy, called the surprise visit a "big boost."

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