At a Glance
- A Nevada man has been reunited with the same dog he rescued from a Colorado snowstorm in 2014
- The dog, Sadie, was found wandering alone in Las Vegas exactly 12 years to the day after the original rescue
- January 7, 2026 marked the emotional reunion at The Animal Foundation shelter
- Why it matters: The story highlights the enduring bonds between pets and their rescuers, even after more than a decade apart
Twelve years after a chance encounter changed both their lives, Aaron Foster has been reunited with Sadie, the dog he once saved from a Colorado blizzard. The remarkable reunion occurred exactly 12 years to the day after their first meeting, proving that some connections transcend time.
The Original Rescue
In January 2014, Foster was leaving an office building in Boulder, Colorado when he spotted a dog running loose through a snowstorm.
“I coaxed her inside, gave her some food and warmed her up. She had a collar and a rabies tag, but no name or phone tag,” Foster tells News Of Los Angeles exclusively.
The next day, with a veterinarian’s help, Foster tracked down the dog’s owners. However, the couple declined to reclaim their pet, explaining they lived in a small apartment and worked away from home all day. They felt the dog was “just too much” for their lifestyle.
Foster decided to foster the then-1-year-old pup, naming her Sadie while searching for her permanent home. His upcoming travel plans complicated the situation – he planned to move frequently for about a year.
Finding Sadie’s New Home
Through his father’s connections with an Arizona dog search-and-rescue group, Foster found a professional who trained hunting dogs to detect bed bugs. This seemed perfect for the energetic Sadie.
“I had her spayed and chipped, and really fell in love with her, but I still had to find her a good home before I left,” Foster shares. “I finally did, or so I thought, in Arizona. I drove her there and everything seemed perfect – until a few days ago.”
Foster believed Sadie had found her forever home in Arizona, where she could use her energy and intelligence productively.
The Shocking Phone Call
On January 7, 2026, exactly 12 years after finding Sadie in the snowstorm, Foster received an unexpected call from The Animal Foundation in Las Vegas.
“I had no idea what they were talking about, even when they said her name, I thought it can’t be, it was so long ago,” Foster says.
The shelter explained that a food delivery driver had discovered Sadie roaming alone near a Family Dollar store in early January. Animal Protection Services transferred the dog to their care, where staff scanned her microchip and found Foster’s contact information.
Without hesitation, Foster boarded a plane from Reno, Nevada to retrieve her. “I didn’t know anything except that I didn’t want her to be in the shelter any longer than necessary,” he explains.
An Emotional Reunion
During their reunion, Sadie didn’t recognize Foster initially, but her personality remained unchanged from 12 years prior.
“She seems healthy, but was very nervous when we met. She did not seem to remember me, but as soon as we got into a hotel room before our long drive back to Reno the next day, she became very loving, playful and trusting of me,” Foster describes. “Now she doesn’t like to leave my side at all.”
The 53-year-old felt heartbroken learning that Sadie’s placement hadn’t worked out permanently. “I know she was in good hands there, but it just broke my heart to know that I didn’t find the best place for her,” he reflects. “Or at least not one that lasted her whole life.”
A New Forever Home
Recognizing that adopting out an older dog presents challenges, Foster decided to welcome Sadie into his permanent family. His lifestyle as a traveling stand-up comedian meant adjustments were necessary, but the decision felt right.
Sadie met Foster’s other dog, Bodie, a 9-year-old lab mix adopted in 2019. The canine siblings bonded immediately.
“She met my dog Bodie, a 9-year-old lab mix that I adopted back in 2019, and they get along great already, so that sealed the deal – she’s home,” Foster tells News Of Los Angeles. “Now Bodie has a sister!”
Key Takeaways
- Microchipping pets proves crucial for reunions, even after 12 years
- Foster’s commitment to Sadie’s wellbeing spans more than a decade
- The reunion coincided precisely with the 12-year anniversary of their first meeting
- Older dogs face adoption challenges, making Foster’s decision particularly meaningful
- Sadie’s journey from Colorado snowstorm to Nevada home completes a remarkable circle
