The Tale of Scrim: New Orleans’ Elusive Folk Hero
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — In a city known for its vibrant characters, a scruffy 17-pound terrier mix named Scrim has captivated hearts as he outwits nets, dart guns, and a determined band of volunteers. This little fugitive’s escapades have inspired tattoos, ballads, and hashtags, turning him into a local legend.
A Dog with a Backstory
Scrim’s journey began in a trailer park, where he lived semi-ferally before being rescued and adopted. After breaking loose in April, he roamed New Orleans for months until a daring escape from his new home catapulted him into viral fame. In a video that has since captured public imagination, Scrim leapt from a second-story window, landing him back on the streets.
Despite daily sightings and near captures, Scrim continues to elude his would-be rescuers, roaming freely through the city.
The Volunteers Leading the Hunt
Leading the effort to recapture Scrim is Michelle Cheramie, a former IT professional who found her calling in animal rescue after losing everything to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Now the founder of Zeus’s Rescues, a nonprofit shelter that facilitates 600 adoptions annually, Cheramie is relentless in her mission to bring Scrim to safety.
“I was born to rescue,” Cheramie says.
Cheramie has invested thousands of dollars in high-tech gear, from wildlife cameras to thermal sensors, and even trained with the San Diego Zoo to master tranquilizing techniques. Alongside her is a growing network of volunteers who track Scrim’s movements and distribute supplies to those in need during their search.
One such volunteer is Tammy Murray, who calls her pursuit of Scrim a personal mission. “I feel like Wile E. Coyote on a daily basis,” says Murray, who even switched from a diesel van to a Vespa scooter after Scrim learned to associate the van’s engine with her approach.
The Legend Grows
Scrim’s antics have inspired a devoted following. Locals like Myra and Steve Foster composed “Ode to Scrim,” a ballad set to Ricky Nelson’s Travelin’ Man. Meanwhile, writer David W. Brown manages a crowdsourced Google Map tracking Scrim sightings, which has brought together residents from all walks of life.
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“Being part of this community means seeing problems and doing what you can to make life better,” Brown explains.
Yet, Scrim’s freedom has sparked debate. Under the hashtag #FreeScrim, some argue the dog should remain free, while Cheramie counters that New Orleans’ streets are too dangerous for such a life.
Near-Captures and a Viral Journey
Cheramie’s team has come tantalizingly close to capturing Scrim multiple times. One attempt involved wrapping a house’s perimeter with netting, only for an overeager volunteer to leave a gap through which Scrim escaped.
In October, Scrim was briefly recaptured, revealing the toll his adventures had taken: matted fur, missing teeth, and multiple injuries, including a suspected bullet wound. Although he initially appeared content indoors, Scrim chewed through a screen, jumped 13 feet to the ground, and escaped once more.
Murray humorously blames Cheramie’s cats for spooking him. “I wholeheartedly believe the gangster-ass cats were messing with him,” she says.
What’s Next for Scrim?
Cheramie and Murray now envision a secure animal sanctuary for Scrim—somewhere with open spaces and other dogs to keep him company.
“He needs a place where he can just breathe and be,” Murray says.
Scrim’s story has become more than a tale of an elusive dog—it’s a testament to the resilience of a community and the bond between people and animals. Whether captured or left to roam, Scrim will forever be a legend in the streets of New Orleans.
