From Barbados to Bradford - the heartwarming story of Washi the dog

Those are the heartwarming words of Natalie Stead, 37, as she reflects on how her life has been transformed after rescuing her adorable little dog Washi from Barbados. 

Natalie and Washi

Natalie, who lives in Saltaire, was on holiday with her mum Rita, 69, last Christmas in the Caribbean beauty spot when she came across the tiny pooch “in a bad way” outside a shopping mall.

But one year on, Washi is thriving in the UK and Natalie has even penned a children’s book to share her story. 

“It was heartbreaking to see her and there was no way I was letting her go,” said Natalie. She seemed really ill and weak. She just flopped at my feet.”

Knowing they had to do something - and finding it hard to raise any help as it was a Sunday - Natalie and her mum managed to get the little dog to a vet.

Washi the dog

While there, they received the upsetting news that she may not make the night because she was in such a bad way. It was at the vets where the sweet name ‘Washi’ came about, as she was in need of a wash. 

The mum and daughter were then told she could be kept overnight, but if they didn’t pick her up the following day, they would have to let her go. 

Worried about what would happen, they went back the next day - but Washi was nowhere to be found. They frantically tried to find out what happened to the little dog they had become so attached to - fearing she had either been let go or had died. 

Thankfully, she was with a dog foster carer and they were able to pick her up before looking after her in the apartment they were staying in. 

After trying to find out if she belonged to anyone, or if anyone could look after her, and not getting anywhere, they decided to keep her. 
Before they returned home managed to put her in a kennel where she was in quarantine for three weeks after her rabies jab.

It was while in the kennel where she is said to have rubbed snouts with Simon Cowell’s adopted dog Daisy.  

She even featured on television in Barbados.

Natalie said there was “relief” when Washi returned to the UK just after Christmas to begin her new life and credits the “little angel” pooch with brightening her life at what was a very difficult time for her. 

Washi the dog

“Now I wake up feeling so blessed to have found her. People say I saved her but she saved me. I really feel after asking for a miracle I was sent one.”

Natalie’s book ‘Where’s Washi’ - illustrated by herself - is to raise awareness and money for other dogs who need help like Washi did.

“I was kind of asking for a sign - it feels like she was a sign - my little angel,” she said.