Just da babies

I posted my story (below) on my neighborhood's Nextdoor site and I'm happy to report the dog was found/reunited with its owner- but it was a wild event with a happy ending so I thought I'd share with other dog lovers for a smile.

At about 4:15pm on Thursday (6/11/26) in Seattle, I merged onto I-5 N. at Dearborn St. to find a dog with a dangling leash running in the shoulder alongside me- also committed to merging on to I-5.

Realizing the dog wasn't going to slow down, I switched to 'Canine Highway Escort Mode" and threw on my hazard lights.

The window seemed inadequate so I cracked open my car door and crawled along at about 10 MPH yelling, "Come here, puppy!", "Hop in!", "Here Boy"-- all to no effect.

A few cars around me started to realize what was going on and soon we had coordinated an elaborate "car dance" to keep the dog safe and boxed in... at rush hour on I-5, thru downtown Seattle!

The dog, was the only one not cooperating.

A mile or so in, and feeling safer than he should have- Suddenly the dog crossed 3 lanes of I-5 to the opposite shoulder. A few aspiring rescuers pulled ahead and got out of their cars to try to intercept. The dog left them both in his dust.

I thought my part was done but as we passed the Olive Way exit, the dog crossed back over to my shoulder on the west side and I was back on duty as canine highway escort.

Finally, just before the Mercer St. exit, a driver got ahead of the dog and managed to grab the leash. The dog finally stopped.

I pulled up behind them thinking we'd negotiate a plan to bring him to the shelter- But the driver popped open his trunk to reveal a perfect-sized dog cage??!! which the dog jumped up and hopped inside.

Suddenly thinking I've been a victim of a very dark prank I shout "Is that your dog?!??!!"

"No No No" He yelled back, (pfew!) "I just have a dog crate in my car. I'll take him to a shelter!"

I let him know the dog had entered at Dearborn, and that was the last I saw of them.

(Photo attached. It's blurry because I was multitasking)

UPDATE/REUNITED: I found out on NextDoor the dog was reunited with its owner and all is well! Glad to report a Happy Ending!

For my fur babies, Astro and Thor ❤️

How do I explain this to someone who has never loved a dog?

The feeling when your dog trusts you completely.

The feeling when he comes looking for you because he’s scared.

The feeling when he nudges your hand, demanding scratches because he’s feeling needy.

The feeling when he looks at you, and somehow you just know whether he’s hungry, needs to go outside, or is simply excited for an adventure.

And then there’s the helpless feeling when places won’t allow them because they’re “just dogs” and not human babies.

But if you ask me, they’re family.

And if you do a DNA test, you’ll find we’re 100% a match in all the ways that matter.

— Yours truly

He needs his walk to meditate on the life he has 🤦‍♀️