# Dramatic dog rescue **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 12, 2019, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dramatic-dog-rescue/844767 "2019-12-12T17:42:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dramatic-dog-rescue/844767/1 "2019-12-12T17:42:20Z")
A woman in Houston got on the elevator at her apartment building with her dog on a leash. The dog lagged behind in the lobby and the leash got caught when the elevator doors closed on it. The lady’s neighbor named Johnny Mathis (yes, really) rushed in and was able to unclip the leash from the dog’s collar just in time. The rescue was caught on the lobby’s security camera. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/3uXYDR42Hr8/maxresdefault.jpg "Man rescues dog as leash gets caught on elevator") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uXYDR42Hr8) ---
**Author:** ![BeagleJesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5daacb/32.png) [@BeagleJesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeagleJesus)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dramatic-dog-rescue/844767/2 "2019-12-12T18:18:06Z")
Dude looked like he was ready to try to drag that elevator back down…You go Johnny Mathis! I can’t even imagine the freakout the lady in the elevator must have been having during all of this. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dramatic-dog-rescue/844767/3 "2019-12-12T18:51:11Z")
I saw that video. Good on Mathis for recognizing the danger and responding quickly and decisively. A word about those retractable leashes – they’re dangerous. This video is only one example. Our dog-walking meet-up bans retractables due to issues with safely controlling dogs, people getting cut/burned by a thin retractable lead moving at high speed, trip hazards, and there are probably other risks I can’t recall at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dramatic-dog-rescue/844767/4 "2019-12-12T18:56:32Z")
I’m suddenly a fan of Johnny Mathis. 😃 Good work, man! ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dramatic-dog-rescue/844767/5 "2019-12-12T19:02:29Z")
Wow! I always like a good rescue. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2019, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dramatic-dog-rescue/844767/6 "2019-12-12T19:08:52Z")
Well done, JM! ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dramatic-dog-rescue/844767/7 "2019-12-13T14:22:31Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > I saw that video. Good on Mathis for recognizing the danger and responding quickly and decisively. > > A word about those retractable leashes – they’re dangerous. This video is only one example. Our dog-walking meet-up bans retractables due to issues with safely controlling dogs, people getting cut/burned by a thin retractable lead moving at high speed, trip hazards, and there are probably other risks I can’t recall at the moment. I use a 25’ retractable when walking my mini Aussie on my property and have no issues. But I do use a regular 6’ fixed length leash when out in public. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dramatic-dog-rescue/844767/8 "2019-12-13T15:08:32Z")
How do you not notice that your dog is not on the elevator with you? She didn’t appear to be staring into her phone, which is almost what I would expect. But she also didn’t appear to try to hold the door open or make an effort to get her dog on board. Thank goodness for Johnny Mathis! ---
**Author:** ![Julius\_Henry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8797f3/32.png) [@Julius\_Henry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Julius_Henry)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2019, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dramatic-dog-rescue/844767/9 "2019-12-13T23:58:10Z")
Wonderful, wonderful. Chances are that’s the best video I’ll be seeing this week. I’m getting misty eyed. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2019, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dramatic-dog-rescue/844767/10 "2019-12-14T00:56:30Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > How do you not notice that your dog is not on the elevator with you? She didn’t appear to be staring into her phone, which is almost what I would expect… Chances are…that’s what happened.