10/21/2026
I didn't expect Natsu to help me save a life last night.
I was driving home after picking up dinner when a white blur ran in front of my car. Seeing the movement out of the corner of my eye first, I'd already put my foot on the brakes. The blur went in front of my car again, going back to the other side of the street.
A gentleman carrying a leash walked by my car, going the opposite way. I rolled down the passenger window and asked if that was his dog. The white blur now wandered in front of him a few feet.
He said, "Yeah, it is."
Before I could speak, he added, "I'm trying to catch her."
I was confused, watching the dog trot within reach of him. I've heard others say that in the past as what they considered a joke while not wanting to leash their dog. But even in the dark, I could tell this guy was serious.
"Let me park and I'll help you," I told him as I pulled into the parking lot next to them.
He was surprised. "You will?"
"Of course!"
I later realized just how many cars passed without anyone stopping to offer a hand, even when it became more obvious that we were trying to catch a loose dog.
"I've been trying to catch her for 2 hours. I was about ready to give up and go home."
It would've been easy to judge in that moment. However, I didn't see a man who was just leaving his dog because catching her was hard or inconvenient. I saw a man in his mid to upper 70's, who had been out for 2 hours in the dark trying to catch his dog, and later learned they'd both crossed a busy road as well. This was a man who was tired, frustrated, and losing hope. I just happened to be passing by at the right time.
"Can I take your leash? I'll help you catch her," I asked as I watched him try to grab her again, with the dog easily evading.
He sighed and handed me the leash. "She's quick."
"Yeah, most dogs are. We aren't as fast as they are, so we need to approach this differently."
I watched and started putting pieces together in my head. The way the dog moved, when she'd speed up and slow down, how far she'd go before circling back, etc. She'd go about 50 feet away at most, then come back, but stayed out of reach. I noticed her head shape and body structure hinted at a herding breed cross. Her behavior lined up with that possibility too.
This made me feel better to an extent. Dogs like Huskies for example, don't usually stick around like this, so it meant we could conserve energy and come up with a plan. The biggest problem was she'd randomly dart right in front of moving vehicles, so the danger was still very real.
I tried the usual things first. Calling to her, using a Come command, tossing treats, walking towards her then walking away. None of that worked, but I'd expected that with how long this had gone on for. I also learned the dog's name was Roo, but when she didn't respond to it early on, I stopped using it.
Next, I changed things up. Rolling my windows partway down, I waited to see her reaction. Natsu poked his head out and watched what we were doing. The dog's head lifted, ears pricked forward as she changed pace and trotted over. It was the first sign she'd shown any interest in something we'd tried.
The owner tried grabbing her again and she darted off. I understood he was trying, but that also obviously wasn't working. I got Natsu out and the dog came running. I immediately put Natsu back in the car and she veered away. I tried it a few more times and with each time, she became less energetic and forward.
After a few minutes, I got Natsu out, leaving the car door open. She trotted over, said hello to Natsu, tail wiggling as she suddenly dropped into a play bow and ran, trying to get him to chase her. Natsu, of course, totally would have had I not held him back.
This was good info to have.
I'd only grabbed a short leash that was maybe 2 feet long that was attached to his regular collar. I hadn't expected the extra stop and usually would've had at least a 4-6 foot leash. I'd also left my extra leads home, realizing too late that I hadn't put them back in the car after I'd cleaned it. I made a mental note to do that the next day, plus add extra treats.
It took another 20 minutes, 30 total, for us to catch her. She'd finally started picking up the treats I'd tossed around the parking lot, and after seeing her drink from a small puddle, I dumped half a bottle of water on the ground. She eagerly came over and it made sense she was thirsty. Natsu joined her in licking the water off the ground and eating a few cookies too. She continued to say hello and tease him, but anytime she felt I was too close, she'd create distance.
With Natsu's help, she became more comfortable around me. Her owner hung out by the car, reluctant, but trusting me to problem solve how to catch her. I'd also made a comment about how I train dogs, and would point things out as they were happening and explain what I was doing and why. He appreciated that, although there were still a few times I had to remind him to not try to grab her.
After creating a pattern of tossing treats, not diving after her, and walking away from her until she followed, she got closer, without taking off as much. I had made a slip lead out of the leash and set it partway on the ground, still tossing treats as I helped her get used to it. Creating a larger opening, I kept angling it towards her, hoping she'd stick her head through. There were a few times I could've pushed it and tried to get her, but I knew if I missed, all that hard work would run off with her. Plus, I was also really tired from a long day and I could feel my bloodsugar dropping. So I waited for the right moment.
Then, I saw my opening. Quickly lifting up on the leash, I surprised her and she yipped, but we finally caught her! I felt bad about startling her, but both her owner and I were so thankful she was safe! I helped him tighten her collar and clip the leash to it. I kept trying to offer them a ride home, but he insisted I'd done enough. I gave him half a Ziploc of the dog treats she'd been eating and he tried refusing those too until she stood up on her hind legs and nosed the bag. I'm glad she didn't mind me after she was caught and even let me pet her. I got his number and will be contacting him soon to help with recall training.
I'm so happy with this outcome, especially knowing it was almost very different. While we tried to catch her, she ran across the road in front of no less than 5 cars. My adrenaline was high and so was my heart rate.
This would've been far more difficult, if not impossible, if it wasn't for Natsu. He's helped me in similar situations before with catching dogs, but what really stood out to me was how we flowed. He listened to and followed my instructions, no matter how weird, like when I told him to eat the cookies but intentionally held him back so Roo could take interest in what he was doing. He was patient, calm, collected, and would be goofy and playful when I encouraged it, then tone it down when I asked him to. Jumping in and out of the car, going towards the other dog, then walking away in the next moment, and all the other things we did and tried never fazed him. Our teamwork was almost flawless thanks to so many years of working together as partners.
Natsu is truly incredible, and last night, he proved that even more when helped me save Roo's life! And yes, Natsu got his choice of a dog chew when we got home with extra loves and lots of "You're The Best Boy!"
Every rescue will be different, but I hope this video helps someone who might be in this kind of situation in the future.
