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The Big Black Dog: A True Hurricane Rescue

Amazing true story about human heroes and an exhausted dog pulled from the water but barking like Lassie, he jumped back in to lead them to his people…

May 20, 2018

I am bound to a promise that names will not be revealed but this is a true story. None of the people involved want any kind of publicity.

A dear friend is an Engineer in a plant in Western NC. The plant owner trains the employees to tackle anything that might come up and is known for sending his team to help in disasters.

Enter Hurricane Harvey. The Swift Water Rescue team was dispatched by air to the Houston area. Equipment had been trucked fortheir use. Boats, motors, food, water-waders, first aid equipment, etc. The team packed a change of clothes and raced to the airplane knowing not what they might face.

Upon landing they were trucked to a staging area near Cedar Bayou where they set right to work, in heavy rain - later recorded at 51 inches !!!

Day one they set to work in the flooded streets. Many boats, including the Cajun Navy, were nearby. My friend spotted a big black dog swimming toward his boat, eyes LOCKED on my friend’s face...

They hauled him on board, he shook himself and barked.. and barked.. you know that bark!! Lassie barking “Timmy's in the well!! Timmy's in the well!!" The exhausted dog then jumped back in the water, swam in circles and barked at the rescue crew... everyone on the boat got it - FOLLOW THAT DOG!!!

The "big black dog" led them to his owners, stranded on their single-story roof, by then only inches from the rising water! They were taken, with the dog, to a rescue shelter.

The owners were very worried about the dog as so few places in that area accepted pets...

But these owners had been prepared with all their important papers in dry bags, including copies of their dog’s medical records and a current health certificate.

Lucky for all, he were rescued by animal lovers, one of them a member of my dog club. The "Big Black Dog" was invited to stay with them until the owners could get through the flood waters.

Meanwhile, the swampy stinky rescue teams were treated to showers and hot meals. "Big Boy" was wrapped in blankets, his owners contacted and flight arrangements made as the airline attendant determined he was under too much stress and too wet to go in the hold... too cold in there... I imagine every rule was broken that morning but we were assured later by a CEO at the airline, that he was pleased with his employees actions.

A few hours later, all arrived safely home and big boy was treated to a spa (!) and grooming to get rid of as much muck and bacteria as possible after his 5 days in the water. Knowledgeable people were consulted to feed and warm him slowly so as not to further stress him or upset his tummy...these big guys can bloat you know!!

The big dog slept for hours, utterly exhausted... He ate small meals, drank electrolytes and mom’s home-made chicken soup. He has recovered from his ordeal quite nicely and with complete acceptance of his extraordinary circumstances.

The plant owner only lifted one eyebrow when viewing the bill for 11 returning employees instead of 10... and he welcomed his new Temp employee!!!

The owners are still in shelter, no one is sure when they may be able to begin the process of reclaiming their home - and their dog!! But rest assured they keep in touch daily and Big Boy is relating his new experiences as a Tar Heel... by Skype! He is enjoying his new playmates and going to work as a plant mascot. He is safe and will return to his home as soon as his “real owners” can do so.

There are tales like this one all over the stricken hurricane area...you just don’t hear about them...the hero people who also rescue desperate animals. The very small downside is the big boy will never sleep on the floor again... His sleep number is 42...

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