A dog in Tennessee has reunited with her family after she was stranded in a tree 20 feet above ground amid Hurricane Helene flooding.
On Wednesday, Oct. 2, the Kingsport Fire Department revealed in a Facebook post that its Technical Rescue Team and the Murfreesboro Police Department discovered the missing dog 20 feet up a tree in Washington County near the Nolichucky River.
Not long after, Athena was reunited with her owners in a heartfelt moment documented by local NBC affiliate WCYB.
A police department dog initially alerted rescuers to the missing pup on Wednesday, before members of the fire department used a ladder to retrieve her, the department wrote on Facebook. The Murfreesboro Police Department revealed in its own Facebook post that K9 Kari and her handler, Officer Angela Alexander, were assisting with locating flood casualties when she began "barking uncontrollably and led the search team to a tree."
"The funny thing about Kari is she is not fond of other dogs but this time it was different,” Alexander said. “I'm so proud of her helping to find something good in all the devastation caused by the flooding."
The fire department wrote that Athena was then "happily removed from the tree," before rescuers fed her. "She has been turned over to the local animal control for a hopeful reunion with her family."
In video from the rescue, a member of the fire department could be seen climbing up the ladder before scooping the pup and safely returning her to the ground. And as it turns out, the dog has since been reunited with her owners, who say she was separated from them amid Hurricane Helene on Friday, Sept. 27, before they saw the footage of her rescue on social media.
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Allie and TJ Faulkner, residents of Jonesboro and Athena's owners, told WCYB that they rushed their children to TJ's parents' house during flooding last week. And while TJ and his father later returned to the family's home to rescue their pets — including their dog — he told the outlet it was too late.
"We took his front-end loader and put it up against a building and climbed up on the building," TJ said, adding that he watched as the storm took his home. "A bunch of debris pushed up against my font porch. It was metal steel beams. It collapsed my front porch. When it done that, it just pushed my house and it floated like an arc."
But not all was lost for the family, who tell WCYB that they spotted the video of Athena's rescue on social media after losing their home. "I was weeping, I was laughing," Allie said. "I was so happy."
Capt. Zach Helvey of the KFD said, per WCYB, that the police department's bloodhound initially alerted him to Athena in the tree. "I climbed up there, I gave her a little bit more food and kind of just made sure she wasn't gonna nip at me," Helvey said, before calling Athena the "sweetest dog alive" who was friendly with her rescuers.
Her reunion with her owners was documented by WCYB, showing the excited pup give kisses to TJ, Allie and their kids. As TJ told the outlet, those who rescued his dog "put a light at the end of the tunnel."
"It's like another member of our family, it's like another child," TJ said. "She means a lot to us."
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Athena's reunion with her owners comes just days after another dog rescue in Florida, when the U.S. Coast Guard revealed that a man and his dog were saved on Sept. 26 as Hurricane Helene approached the state. At the time, the man was in a 36-foot sailboat off the coast of Florida when it “became disabled” and “started taking on water approximately 25 miles off Sanibel Island."
Crew members with Air Station Clearwater saved the man and his dog in footage later shared by the agency’s Southeast division. The Coast Guard reported that they both “were reportedly in good medical condition” and “brought to Southwest Florida International airport to meet with EMS."
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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