Bringing a dog into your family is typically a joyful experience, not a cause for fear. However, sometimes challenging situations highlight just how much your canine companion means to you.
Erin Dogouet, a ranch owner in Texas, faced such a challenge when her devoted livestock guardian, Ziva, went missing during a tumultuous flood sweeping across the ranch.
Despite the dangerous situation, Erin held onto hope thanks to Ziva’s strength and the reliable GPS collar the dog wore.
Erin was in Colorado at the time, unaware of the harrowing situation her dog was about to face. She had left Ziva and her enormous herd of livestock in the care of her sister, Shannon, and a pet sitter named Taelyn when disaster struck.
True to her protective nature, Ziva had spotted a wild animal and pursued it to the outer reaches of the ranch, close to a river. However, rampant flooding in Texas transformed what should have been a routine chase into a perilous emergency.
Ziva found herself trapped in a flooded gully, with the river rushing past and steep, slippery walls blocking her escape. She was dangerously close to being swept away.
“Ziva was found trapped in a flooded gully along the flooded Medina River. The roaring river blocked any escape back home, and the three other sides were too steep and slick for her to climb out on her own,” Erin shared with People magazine.
Luckily, the GPS collar offered Erin a way to track Ziva. Upon realizing Ziva’s absence, Erin used a tracking app to direct Shannon and Taelyn to Ziva’s exact location.
As time passed with no change in the GPS signal, Erin stayed hopeful but feared the worst.
Shannon and Taelyn sprang into action. Guided by the GPS, they traversed the ranch, navigating through mud and floodwaters in search of Ziva.
Spotting the giant dog was no easy feat amid the flooding and chaos, but they eventually found her. Ziva was alive, trapped in the gully but struggling to get out.
Working together, Shannon and Taelyn managed to rescue her swiftly. Ziva was safe.
Erin received the news with immense relief. After surviving what could have been a disaster, Ziva returned home.
Back at the ranch, the 120-pound Kangal was clearly worn out but not hurt. Exhausted from the ordeal, she slept soundly for more than ten hours.
This experience only deepened the bond between Erin and Ziva, showcasing the unwavering loyalty between them.
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