Some dogs wait patiently at daycare. They nap, they play, they maybe bark a little. And then there’s Haarlem — a 13-month-old Vizsla with a very different agenda.
When Andrew Koehler’s wife arrived at Canine Crews in Chicago to pick up their pup, she was not greeted by a calm, tail-wagging dog at the gate. Instead, she found Haarlem tenuously perched at the very top of her kennel fence, caught in the middle of a full-on escape attempt.
The photo was priceless. Andrew’s wife snapped the moment and posted it to Reddit with the caption, “Went to pick up dog from kennel and found her like this…” — and as you can imagine, the internet absolutely loved it. See the original Reddit post here.
“Completely Insane” — And Completely Lovable
If you’ve ever shared your home with a Vizsla, you already know they are a lot of dog. High energy, deeply attached to their people, and not exactly known for sitting quietly in small spaces.
Andrew described Haarlem’s reputation at the daycare quite perfectly. “She is notorious there for a.) being completely insane, and b.) HATING the kennels,” he told the Good News Blog. Apparently, the staff had figured this out long before the great escape. If Andrew and his wife were running late, the team would simply let Haarlem roam one of the big playrooms rather than risk her unhappy kennel protests.
On this particular day, though, a new staff member put her in a kennel — one with an open top. And Haarlem, being Haarlem, saw that as an open invitation.
The Moment the Paperwork Went Flying
When Andrew’s wife arrived, one of the new staff members walked up with her, carrying a large stack of paperwork. She turned the corner, spotted Haarlem dangling at the top of the kennel fence, and — well — she screamed and threw every single paper into the air.
You really can’t blame her. That would startle anyone!
They quickly gathered help, and Haarlem was safely and carefully lowered back down to the floor. She was perfectly fine, of course — not a scratch on her, just that signature Vizsla expression that says “What? I was just leaving.”
Some Dogs Simply March to Their Own Beat
There’s something genuinely heartwarming about a dog so devoted to her family that even a few extra hours apart feels completely unacceptable. Haarlem wasn’t being destructive — she just wanted to go home.
If your own dog has a flair for the dramatic, you’re in good company. Dogs like Haarlem remind us that our four-legged companions have big personalities, deep feelings, and absolutely zero chill when it comes to missing the people they love.
Give your pup an extra hug today. Clearly, they feel everything — and then some. 🐾
Hi, I’m Ali Tarek, the founder of Animalsman. I’ve always been passionate about pets, especially dogs and cats, and I created this website to share practical tips, easy recipes, and helpful care advice for fellow pet lovers. My goal is to make pet care simple, enjoyable, and accessible for everyone. When I’m not writing or curating content, you’ll usually find me spending time with my furry friends or learning new ways to keep them happy and healthy.
