‘Houdini’ Ready For Adoption

OAK FOREST, IL -- Houdini, the beloved Oak Forest pup who twice broke free from being tied to a bridge at 152nd and Laramie earlier this summer, is ready to be adopted. The dog underwent a successful surgery a few weeks back after a massive tumor was found during a vet checkup. Just this Saturday, his stitches were removed and his foster parents say he is all set to find a forever home.

“He is healing great,” said Ruby Wilson, Houdini’s foster parent, who helped rescue him weeks ago. “The goofball loves to play. He’s shy at first, but once he gets to know you, he’s awesome.”

Wilson says Houdini is “energetic” with other dogs, good with cats and great with children.

“He’s a little leery of men, but once he gets to know them, he’s fine," she said.

Named for his ability to break free from being tied to a bridge twice, Houdini quickly became a fan favorite in Oak Forest. A YouCaring effort raised more than $3,000 to help pay for his care.

Houdini broke free from the bridge on Laramie a second time on June 3 and after being spotted for days in parts of Oak Forest, Midlothian and Tinley Park a group of concerned residents following the dog’s journey were assisted by Oak Forest police officers in “forming a human chain” to catch him in a backyard near 150th and Long, Wilson said.

Upon a visit to a vet, a number of medical issues -- including a tumor and double ear infection -- were noticed.

But just over a month later, Wilson says Houdini is “completely vetted.”

“He’s neutered, microchipped and had his rabies vaccination,” she said.

The tumor, it turns out, was caused by a bacterial infection but is not cancerous.

Callan Wilson, Ruby’s daughter, says she takes care of Houdini most of the time. “Houdini is a wonderful dog who is still in the process of learning how to be just that,” Callan said. “He's unaccustomed to many household things (paper plates, anything that jingles, silverware, etc) and he does spook quite easily. My hope is that whoever brings him home will be patient and understanding with him. Considering how shy he can be, it's almost like watching an entirely different dog once he's comfortable.

Callan says that Houdini “plays just like a puppy with complete disregard for his size.”

“He bonds very, very strongly to people, and he prefers women so we would rather not place him in a male-only home. He actually spends most of his day wrapped up in a blanket on my bed! He doesn't like to be separated from me and it's likely that he'll be the same with whoever dedicates themselves to loving him next.”

If you are interested in adopting Houdini and know you will dedicate yourself to loving him next, email Ruby Wilson at hawkswin1719@gmail.com.

Photo provided