A photo of two dogs from Houston, Texas, stranded in a boat went viral after the devastating landfall of Hurricane Harvey. However, the story behind the photo is equally heartbreaking and heartwarming.
Just recently, the United States and the Caribbean Islands were hit by two historic storm systems. In Houston, the streets were flooded and people had to navigate in and out of the city on boats.
Riding with these rescuers was CNN reporter Ed Lavendera. He snapped the photo of two dogs that went viral in a big way.
In the image, the boat rests behind a submerged minivan. The two dogs’ heads poked above the stem of the boat.
He wrote in the caption:
«Sadly a family had to evacuate their flooded neighborhood in Dickinson, [Texas] without their dogs. Hope they’re ok.»
The people who commented on the photo were outraged for the dogs, wondering how their owners could abandon them amidst the historic devastation. Nonetheless, the tireless rescuers weren’t distinguishing human life from animal life and they were able to make their way over to the boat and rescue the two pups, named Frankie and Bear.
Ed posted an updated photo, showing a better glimpse of the two very good boys, to announce that not only had they been rescued but they were reunited with their family. In the caption for his update, he wrote:
«A combination of volunteer rescuers and friends pitched in to save the day. In the chaotic evacuation, the family was not allowed to bring the dogs in the rescue boat so they thought putting them in the boat temporarily, until someone could reach them, was the safest decision.»
The family’s boat was likely not serviceable and too large to navigate through the flooded streets. Still they hoped it would keep their dogs safe until they could come back for them.
Like many people impacted by the hurricane, the family had to leave behind something that they treasured. Sadly, it was their four-legged and furry best friends.
People from all over the nation converged on flood-ravaged Texas with boats, supplies, and their time and energy to try to save lives. Frankie and Bear were’t the only animals rescued in the flood, but rather thousands of animals were saved.
Shelters quickly overflowed with stray animals and displaced pets, and those whose owners couldn’t be located were sent out-of-state to shelters in Ohio, California and many other places. Southwest airlines flew a plane full of abandoned or lost cats and dogs to shelters that could accomodate them. Some of these animals are even ready for adoption.
