Lost Dog: Garlough Counselor's Sidekick Astray in St. Paul Area

Pets hold a special place in the hearts of their owners, and at , a dog named Frankie holds a special place in the heart of the schools’ student body as well.

But Frankie, a four-year-old fawn boxer, ran away from home in the Phalen neighborhood of St. Paul on Monday night, and his owner, school counselor Melanie Parkinson, is in a frantic search to find him.

Parkinson is training Frankie as a therapy dog. He accompanies her during her day-to-day work a couple times a week.

She said students having a tough time can talk to Frankie when they’d prefer to talk to an animal instead of an adult, and sometimes he will sit with the kids when Parkinson reads stories. “Often times he’ll fall asleep on them,” she said.

A recent food drive had offered up a walk with Frankie and Parkinson outside of school as a potential prize for donations.

Now far from the familiar classrooms, Frankie was last seen running down Interstate 35E near the Pennsylvania Avenue exit in St. Paul. He is micro-chipped and should be wearing a collar.

A reward is being collected for his safe return.

 Parkinson said that Frankie is a good dog, and she’s worried someone else might decide to make him their own.

“I want them to know how much he’d be missed, not just by me but by 400 kids as well.”

Please call 651-271-0554 if you find or see Frankie.

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