When devastating floods swept through her hometown, Chloe Adams had just minutes to make a life-or-death decision — how to save herself and her beloved childhood dog, Sandy.
A Desperate Plan
The water was rising quickly, currents swirling around her home. To survive, Chloe knew she and Sandy would need to swim to a neighbor’s rooftop.
But Sandy, now a senior dog, couldn’t swim.
“I was more worried about losing her in the water than myself,” Chloe told us.
She first tried to use Sandy’s dog bed as a floatation device, but it sank. A large plastic storage container seemed like the next best option, but that too began to sink under Sandy’s weight.
With precious seconds left, Chloe grabbed a couch cushion, wedged it underneath the container, and created a makeshift raft. Then, holding onto the container, she swam through floodwaters to the rooftop, pulling Sandy to safety.
Hours in the Rain
Once on the roof, Chloe shielded Sandy from the cold rain by placing the same plastic container over her. They stayed huddled together, shivering and waiting for rescue — five long hours in the rising flood.
Eventually, Chloe’s uncle arrived in a kayak, saving both of them.
Safe but Shaken
Chloe and Sandy are now recovering at her grandmother’s home. Despite the trauma, Chloe says she is grateful beyond words that they’re together.
“We comfort each other when going through something hard,” Chloe said. “I’m there to hold her and tell her it’s OK, and she lays her head in my lap knowing I’m in pain.”
A Reminder of Devotion
In the face of disaster, Chloe’s quick thinking and love for Sandy turned an ordinary plastic container into a lifesaving raft. Their story has become a powerful symbol of the bond between humans and their pets — and the lengths we’ll go to protect those we love most.
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