During rush hour Tuesday afternoon, a German Shepherd mix wandered in and out of traffic on a busy freeway in Tempe, Ariz. Some drivers stopped and attempted to lure the stray dog to them, to no avail.
As they watched this dangerous situation unfold in a live stream on the azfamily 3TV CBS 5 Facebook page, Kim and Andrew Vander Stoep decided to do something about it. They grabbed a leash, water and dog treats, then got in their truck and drove to the freeway.
Kim, who works at an animal hospital, walked across the Elliot Road off-ramp and was able to get the leash on the dog as he was distracted by other good Samaritans who’d stopped to help. While waiting for Andrew to arrive in the truck, she gave the dog water and treats.
The Vander Stoeps took the dog to the animal hospital where Kim works to see if he had a microchip. He did, but the contact person said the dog wasn’t his.
This lucky dog, who’s been named Elliot after the off-ramp where Kim saved him, has a new forever home — with his rescuers.
“We’ve got four dogs at home. We’re dog people,” Andrew told azfamily.com. “Our house is set up for dogs.” The couple had been planning to adopt a Pit Bull with three legs due to cancer, but will put that on hold until Elliot settles in to his new digs.
“He’s safe now and that’s all that matters,” Kim told azfamily.com.
Photo: azfamily 3TV CBS 5/Facebook