Khaleesi, a black Labrador mix who crossed paths with students across campus, passed away Friday, April 25.

Khaleesi had been loose for more than a month since escaping from its owners, two Elon University juniors.

After escaping, Khaleesi was seen everywhere on campus from the Oaks and Greek courts to Danieley Center. Khaleesi especially impacted Danieley Center residents, leading people to dub her the “Danieley Dog.”

The owners made multiple attempts to look for the dog. For three weeks after Khaleesi went missing the owners actively searched for and tried to capture her. Eventually, when the owners found Khaleesi and tried to approach her, she ran away.

Campus Police were even called to help search for and rescue Khaleesi but never had any luck.

“One of the officers said the dog let it get about three feet from it and then it took off running again,” Director of Campus Safety and Police Dennis Franks told Elon Local News’ Matt Lee.

Campus Police called Alamance County Animal Control mid-April to help capture and save the skittish dog. Animal Control set up a dog trap with food in hopes of luring Khaleesi to safety, but she never came.

Then Friday, April 25 at 11:00 a.m., Campus Police found Khaleesi near Sheridan Place apartments, according to a report by Elon University Campus Police. The difference this time was that it was a wobbly and sick dog, not the typical energetic and skittish Khaleesi.

Alamance County Animal Control was again called for assistance. Khaleesi was tranquilized by Animal Control and taken to Burlington Animal Shelter.

“When the dog was brought in there was foam and blood around her mouth,” said Burlington Animal Shelter director Jessica Arias.

The owners were called in immediately and made the decision to surrender Khaleesi’s life considering her severely injured state.

While what caused Khaleesi to be in the state Campus Police found her in is unknown, the the love Elon students felt for her is more than apparent.

Khaleesi’s black fur caused her to blend in at night when she was roaming the streets, a potentially dangerous situation. Many students, like freshman Bekah Richin, realized this and feared for Khaleesi.

“I always saw her late at night, but she blended in a lot, which made me scared for her,” Richin said. “Also, after we realized that it was actually somebody’s dog, we tried to help it, but then it ran away.”

Danieley residents weren’t the only ones affected by Khaleesi, the “Danieley Dog.” Students as far away as the Historic Neighborhood and the Oaks grew attached to Khaleesi and tried to care for her, like Historic Neighborhood residents Annie Phelan and Susan Reynolds.

“My friend who lives in Danieley texted us when he saw the dog,” Phelan, a freshman, said. “So we went to Danieley and spent over an hour and a half trying to catch her. We really wanted to help her.”

Khaleesi’s skittish personality made it particularly difficult for students to rescue her.

“She was really good at not wanting to get caught,” Reynolds, a freshman, said.  “My mom and I run a rescue farm so I’ve had a lot of experience in getting stray dogs to come to me.”

Reynolds found Khaleesi’s personality abnormal for stray dogs.

“What was really weird about her was she was really friendly, but also skittish,” she said. “Usually you’ll get a really friendly dog or a skittish dog, not just a mix.”

Many Danieley Center residents were concerned about Khaleesi and tried to corral her and give her food.

“My girlfriend and I fed her some of our leftovers,” sophomore Drew Dimos said. “I’ve also sat down and been around her for a while but she still wouldn’t come.”

Students cared so much about Khaleesi that they tried to feed her not only human food, but also dog food.

“I bought treats and food for her because I felt bad for her,” sophomore Matt Lee said. “I have a dog at home, so I knew she should be in a good home.”

Khaleesi’s death brought feelings of guilt and sadness to students.

“Maybe I could have tried more to get a leash around her and keep her somewhere where we could feed her,” Dimos said. “It makes me so sad. I should have tried harder.”

It wasn’t uncommon for students across campus to know what you were talking about when you referred to the “Danieley Dog.” Khaleesi became a part of the Elon family.

“I’m really sad to hear that the Danieley Dog died,” Freshman Harrison Raby said. “She was a big part of our community.”

 

The owners were contacted but declined to comment on the passing of their dog.