Teachers often begin their day expecting to greet children, buses, and the buzz of a new school day. But for Caleb Shaffer, an elementary school teacher in Columbia Falls, Montana, one morning brought an unexpected surprise—a stray dog patiently waiting outside the school’s main entrance. Each morning, like clockwork, the dog was there, wagging its tail as if waiting for something or someone.
On the first day, Shaffer noticed the dog, a lab mix, but with the rush of getting to his classroom, he had no time to stop. As the day went on, he couldn’t get the image of the dog out of his mind, so he returned to check on it. Unfortunately, by then, the dog had already left.
The next day, the dog was back, sitting in the same spot by the door. This time, Shaffer took a closer look, noticing the dog’s rough skin, which it scratched constantly, and how thin and weary it appeared. Despite attempts by animal control to catch the dog, it remained elusive, slipping away each time.
On the third morning, Shaffer knew he had to act. He walked to his car, called out to the dog, and to his surprise, the dog immediately jumped into the vehicle, trusting him completely. While Shaffer couldn’t care for the dog himself, he took it to a local animal shelter where it received basic treatment and a much-needed bath.
Naming the dog Clive, Shaffer shared the story with his students, turning the situation into a teaching moment. He posted Clive’s story and photos on the “Urgent Shelter Pets of Houston” Facebook group. Luckily, Clive’s story caught the attention of a local rescue organization, which quickly found him a foster home.
In an interview with The Dodo, Shaffer explained how the experience became an opportunity to educate his students about important topics like spaying, neutering, heartworm prevention, and the reality many stray animals face. What began as a mysterious appearance at the school door turned into a lesson in compassion and responsibility, touching not only Shaffer but his entire community.
