From Missing Pup to Scene-Stealer: Outback’s Return to General Hospital

For days, General Hospital viewers feared the worst when Outback, the sweet little pup first discovered by Emma (Braedyn Bruner) and Gio (Giovanni Mazza) earlier this year, suddenly vanished. The duo had grown attached to the dog before having to rehome her due to the strict no-pets policy in Anna’s apartment building. Rocco (Finn Carr) quickly stepped in to become her new caretaker. When she went missing, Rocco was heartbroken, and fans wondered if another Port Charles pet storyline had come to a tragic end. Instead, the September 16 episode brought relief and a dose of humor when Cody discovered Outback alive and well… though a little guilty of stealing and eating his sub in the Quartermaine stables. It was a welcome reunion, and for Josh Kelly, who plays Cody, it was also the start of something special.

A Dog’s Life

Speaking with Soap Opera Digest, General Hospital star Josh Kelly admitted that he couldn’t have been happier about his new furry co-star. “That dog is adorable!” he said, explaining that Outback, played by a beagle named Bailey, reminded him of his own first dog, which was a beagle mix named Stormy. “So I’m a fan of the breed,” he remarked.

Kelly was already used to having an animal as a scene partner. That, of course, is the horse named Comet, who is played by a marvelous stallion, Leche. Since Bailey only responds to her trainer, he found himself having to stay sharp in their scenes together. Rather than reacting to another actor, he had to be prepared for any sudden movement, sniff, or unexpected moment from his four-legged partner. “You really have to do more acting because you can’t really react with the dog,” he explained, adding that it required an improvisational mindset.

Scene-Stealing Pup

The General Hospital star noted that Bailey was very charming and professional, and he wished he was able to connect with the poochie off camera. “I wish I could have been its handler,” he stated, adding, “because the dog’s handler is on set and they only pay attention to the handler! He admitted that he was jealous of the handler, joking, “You know when you’re at a party and a dog kind of likes you, but it really likes your friends and you get kinda jealous? It feels like that.”

“Come on, let me train her!” he wished, noting that he didn’t have any doggie treats in his pockets like the trainer. But he found the dog to be endearing and chortled at how she immediately stole the spotlight, both in front of and behind the camera.

Trending

While fans and several characters worried that Outback was gone for good, their collective hearts were warmed upon seeing her eat Cody’s sub. The dog’s warmth and undeniable cuteness that she brings to her scenes have indicated that there will be more light-hearted moments to come on General Hospital. If her first big storyline is any indication, Outback is well on her way to becoming the show’s newest scene-stealer.

General Hospital can be seen weekdays on ABC and Hulu.

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