Desperate wild animals are hardwired with fight-or-flight instincts for dealing with threats—it’s a jungle out there, after all. Stray dogs in the hot concrete jungle of LA are no different. They are often terrified of humans, friend or foe. The terror helps them survive on the streets.
It’s also an obstacle for well-meaning helpers like LA resident Eldad Hagar, who saves stray dogs from the streets for a living. He’s not just a dog catcher; he’s also become a social media sensation for video-taping his dog rescues and posting them on YouTube. Millions of viewers have come to know and love the tender rescues Hagar goes out on, sometimes with a friendly partner, confronting snarling, scared dogs, armed with a dog snare, a loving heart, and a video camera.
This particular video took place in a used-car parking lot somewhere in the sprawling southern California metropolis. Hagar had gotten an emergency text from a woman named Esmeralda Alvarez. A little dog had been hit by a car, she had told Hagar. The pooch was likely in pain on top of being terrified.
Hagar arrived at the lot and spotted the dog hiding under a car. One of her hind legs was dangling and broken, he saw. He was only there to help, to rescue the dog, fix her up, and find her a loving home. That didn’t stop her from baring her teeth and snarling like a wolf!
Watch the video closely and see how Hagar corners the dog under the car with a plastic child barrier. What begins as fear in her eyes turns into defeat and eventually submission to Hagar’s kind, rescuing hands. She lets him place his “lucky leash” around her neck, feed her a chicken nugget, and pick her up in his arms. It’s the most heartwarming moment you’ll see all day!
Hagar decided to name her Arya, as suggested by one of his friends on Instagram. Wait until you see when he carries her off into his car, where Arya then plants kisses all over his nose as a thank you. She knows she’s been rescued from the streets forever.
And that is indeed the case. Arya was brought to the vet, given an incredible bath (she was absolutely filthy!), and had her broken leg properly splinted. Not to mention the end scene where she is reunited with Hagar three weeks later, now in the loving care of LA Animal Rescue foster home, wearing doggy clothes, and loving life. She can’t hold back her joy and leaps into the arms of her savior.
With any luck, Arya will be adopted by a new human mom or dad and find her forever home, and live happily ever after. At least for now, Hagar has given Arya hope.
