The Incredible Journey of Magoo: From Hunting Dog to Wayland Nursing Mascot

Magoo has come a long way from his days as a hunting dog in Tennessee. And no one would say it's been an easy journey.

His owner Sandy Guidrey, however, would tell you it's been worth it.

As Magoo lies on his side at Guidrey's feet, the reality of his rough past is apparent. The jagged scar where Magoo's right eye should be elicits feelings of sympathy for the yellow Labrador. But as his story unfolds, that scar becomes a mark of his redemption.

Today, Magoo is a healthy, well-fed fixture at Wayland Nursing and Rehabilitation, which Guidrey and her husband have owned and operated for more than a decade.

Guidrey rescued Magoo, a yellow lab, from a Tennessee shelter two years ago after a run-in with a barbed wire fence left him with one eye and that lasting facial scar.

"I guess a one-eyed hunting dog isn't ideal," Guidrey said. She explained that a shelter, which she found via LuckyLab.com, had taken in Magoo -- then named Buddy -- after the previous owner had given the injured dog to a veterinarian for euthanization.

Originally, Guidrey went looking for a new dog with the goal of certifying her pet as a therapy dog that could work with the 40 residents at Wayland Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Unfortunately, Magoo's scars weren't just physical. Guidrey said it was obvious Magoo had been well trained; he never had accidents in the house, didn't chew on shoes or furniture and responded to Guidrey's every command.

He also, however, showcased a fear of strangers and, in particular, men. The fear was debilitating at first and led Guidrey to leave Magoo at home or bring him to work only occasionally.

What Guidrey found was that Magoo didn't have a problem with the patients in wheelchairs -- she assumes it is because they are lower to the ground -- but he was uncomfortable with visitors walking toward him.

Even now, two years since coming to live with Guidrey and beginning his visits to Wayland Nursing, Magoo barks suspiciously when anyone walks into her office at the facility. 

Guidrey is pleased with his progress and a trip into the common area with Magoo proves the residents are pleased with his very presence.

"The patients love him," Guidrey said. "Patients light up when they see him. It really brings out their best. As animals do with the elderly, he brings out memories of their younger years. It's a normalcy that makes them feel like it's home."

Animals, in fact, are pretty common at Wayland Nursing and Rehabilitation. Guidrey's son sometimes brings his own dog Percy, an English lab puppy, to visit, and Guidrey's husband, Alan, recently adopted Junie, an Alaskan malamut that also likes to stop by.

Luckily, Magoo isn't territorial with other dogs. Guidrey said he gets along quite well with four-legged "strangers," which means that visitors coming to see family members are also welcome to bring dogs to visit.

"We like dogs around here," Guidrey said.

As long as Magoo is near Guidrey, he's happy, Guidrey said.

"For a dog that has gone through a lot, he should probably have more issues than he does," Guidrey said. "He's very sweet. He likes his life here. He loves coming to visit."

Guidrey said she heard in a movie that a person will own seven great dogs in their lifetime. Magoo, Guidrey said, is definitely one of her seven.