A small dog, whose owners reportedly died amid the destruction in Florida caused by Hurricane Milton, was rescued from the wreckage left behind by the storm, and the moment was captured on camera.
On Thursday, Oct. 10, CBS Miami shared a clip of reporter Morgan Rynor on the ground in Fort Pierce, Fla, reporting on the aftermath of Hurricane Milton. In the clip, Rynor is standing near a severely damaged home surrounded by piles of debris when a man walks away from the debris with a small dog in his arms.
"He got Benji," Rynor said in the clip. "Oh my goodness… I cannot believe I'm starting this right now with some happy news. Look at this pile of debris over here to my left-hand side. About two seconds ago we just pulled out this little tiny dog named Benji, who has been missing since last night."
How to Help the Victims of Hurricane Milton
In the news broadcast video, Rynor explains that Benji's owners were "among the victims" of the storm and had been staying in the home featured behind her in the newscast. According to Rynor's reporting, Benji "ran away" from his pet parents' house during the storm and was discovered Thursday in what remained of the home next door. CBS News notes that a neighbor of Benji's owners told Rynor that the dog's pet parents died during Hurricane Milton's landfall in Florida.
Speaking to CBS News, Rynor said photographer Brian Shanahan heard Benji barking at a distance before their 7:30 a.m. live shot. "Even though we were about two minutes from our 7:30 live shot, we decided Benji was more important," Rynor said. The reporter added that the group found Benji shortly after starting their newscast and learned more about the dog when a neighbor recognized Benji.
Rynor also shared the news about Benji on her Instagram Stories, posting an image of the pup snuggled up on her lap and noting that he was located "deep" in the debris pile.
"I'm told his owners unfortunately did not make it out alive," the CBS Miami reporter wrote. "Benji is safe with me and being taken care of. Need to double-check he doesn't have other family but then will need to find him a home. Neighbors are busy figuring out where they're going to live."
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According to Fox affiliate WTTG, Benji's rescue occurred in the Spanish Lakes Country Club Village, a 55+ community in Port St. Lucie, located in St. Lucie County. Per Fox Weather, which cited the St. Lucie County Emergency Operations Center, at least four people were killed by the area's tornados caused by Hurricane Milton on Wednesday.
"The most impacted area is about a half-square-mile community made up of older modular homes that the tornado went through and just completely devastated it," Sheriff Keith Pearson said, adding that the natural disaster flipped vehicles and took modular homes off their foundations. "They don't even look like homes anymore. They're mangled there. There's people trapped underneath them."
In an update shared to Facebook by the sheriff's office on Thursday morning, Pearson added that the local search-and-rescue team was able to transport 25 people to a "safe location" before again confirming the four deaths. According to ABC affiliate WPBF, the fatalities were reported in the Spanish Lakes Country Club Village.
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"Crews are still out there searching the area. We're not gonna stop until we double check, triple check, make sure that anybody in there who needs to be rescued is gonna be rescued," Pearson said, urging those who "don't need to be out on the roadways" to stay safe.
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In further updates about Benji on Thursday, Rynor told her followers on her Instagram Stories that the pup was looking "overall good," in what she called a "miracle," after she took Benji to a local vet. She and her photographer had also been "improvising" as they cared for the pup, taking him out for "potty breaks" using a microphone wire as a leash.
The damage to Fort Pierce comes from Milton, which made landfall in the U.S. on the western coast of Florida around Siesta Key, Fla., on Wednesday evening. The state is still recovering from Hurricane Helene, which landed in Florida's Big Bend region on Sept. 26 and killed more than 200 people. The National Hurricane Center shared on Thursday that the center of Hurricane Milton moved off Florida and into the Atlantic Ocean.
Humans Heartbroken To See A Tiny, Crying Pup Lying Helplessly Under A Tree In The Grass
We all know that dogs can only be happy if they have their own family who gives them unconditional love.
However, for many dogs, having loving pawrents is nothing but a dream — a dream that they would like to fulfill with all their heart.
A little skinny puppy who was lying in the grass once had that same dream.
Sadly, he didn’t receive the kindness and love of humans, and he lost all hope of ever finding happiness.
The pooch had no strength left in his weak body. He cried and curled up into a ball under a tree in a park, feeling unloved and ignored.
Helping The Little Puppy
Source: Rescue Mission HT
When the kind people found him lying helplessly in the grass, they felt saddened and worried for him.
The fur baby was sick. He lost most of his fur, and his body was covered in wounds and crusts.
The giant-hearted humans knew they had to save him. They approached the puppy, sat next to him, and gently woke him up.
When the little canine opened his tearful eyes, his rescuers realized how lonely and hopeless the pup felt.
The Pooch Feels That He Is No Longer Alone
Source: Rescue Mission HT
His rescuers immediately took him home to nurse him back to health. They removed the fur from his body and gave him a nice soothing bath.
The puppy started receiving the necessary medicine.
His heroes were by his side, showering him with a lot of love and offering him all their support.
The sweet pup started wagging his little tail as if he wanted to show them how much he appreciated their help.
Source: Rescue Mission HT
The little pup rested his head in his rescuers’ hands. He trusted them, and he felt that he finally had someone who cared for him. He was no longer alone in the world.
Twelve days later, the pup’s wounds had almost healed, and new fur started growing.
His caregivers were glad to see that he regained energy and that he was able to jump and run.
His beautiful eyes didn’t look sad anymore. They were now filled with joy, and the dog had a smile on his face.
His caretakers made sure the pooch had everything he needed. They bought him a bed and all the necessary things. The pup had his own space in their house.
Source: Rescue Mission HT
After seeing how loving and caring his rescuers were, the pooch felt grateful, and his face lit up.
Since the puppy was still malnourished, he needed to gain weight in order to fully recover.
He began eating five nutritious meals a day, and soon, his health began improving.
The precious boi felt so much better, and he couldn’t stop smiling.
The Pup Makes A Complete Recovery
Source: Rescue Mission HT
Two months later, the puppy’s dermatitis was cured. His new fur was beautiful and long.
The pup was no longer skinny. Thanks to the wonderful care and the nutritious food he ate, he reached his healthy weight.
The pup blossomed into a handsome and happy dog.
His caregivers fell deeply in love with him and they couldn’t imagine their life without him in it.
Source: Rescue Mission HT
He brought so much happiness into their home.
The pup enjoyed his life. His family often took him for walks. He relished playing with them and running freely in the yard, feeling carefree and overjoyed.
His dream of finding his happy ending came true.
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