I'm trying to think what kind of creature is fast (swift) and can bounce back creatures when they're about to die. It's like a fast rescue.
Some kind of air beast?
I've did a quick research in cryptozoology (wikipedia) (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cryptids) and found an interesting candidates:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chickcharney): a mythical and cryptozoological creature resembling a bird, specifically an owl, that lives in the forests of Andros Island in the Bahama Islands. According to some, it is furry, feathered, about 3 feet tall and is considered ugly looking. In common legend, if a traveler meets a chickcharney and treats it well, he/she will be rewarded with good luck (this part may fit the "bounce"). But, treating a chickcharney badly will result in bad luck and hard times.[/list]The other bird-like creatures were vampiric, bloodsucking creatures, so i think they're inappropriate.
Otherwise we could create a creature from zero, without reference to mythology, cryptozoology or folklore.
In this case, i was thinking of a dog (an animal that is often trained to save people or other animals) with some bird characteristics.
Like a feathered dog, with wings, bird paws, and a dog head. It should be slim, like a greyhound, because it will appear more agile.