I’ve read plenty of rescue stories, but this one stayed with me. A family waited more than four hours in a flooding home, and they would not go without their dog. For them, Eris was never just a pet.
Four Hours With Water at the Door
Heidi Edwards watched the water creep toward their home in Lamplighter Village, Brevard County. She called 911 and then waited. And waited.
Her husband, John, has had strokes and lives with dementia. Eris, a 4-year-old Labrador, is his emotional support animal and stays by his side.
Leaving without her was never an option.
Why Help Took So Long
That Monday, Nov. 2, parts of southern Brevard County got up to 24 inches of rain in about a day and a half. Streets turned into rivers.
Palm Bay Fire Rescue said crews had answered flood calls nonstop since 5 a.m. When every call is urgent, someone always waits longer than they should.
The Deputy Who Waded In
Orange County Deputy Benjamin Hayden, working with the sheriff’s office High Water Rescue Team, waded through murky water and picked up Eris. He then guided John and Heidi out, and a boat took them to dry ground.
FOX 35 Orlando reported that Hayden told the family, “This is what we train for, we got you.” Heidi said he did it with a smile.
Rescues like this happen fast, like when a dog trapped in rising floodwater in Rock Springs, Texas was pulled out by a water rescue team.
Why This Matters
This isn’t only a feel-good story. When people won’t leave without their animals, rescues take longer and carry more risk for everyone.
Research on the PETS Act, which Congress passed after Hurricane Katrina, notes that 44% of people who chose not to evacuate said, in part, that they couldn’t take their pets with them.
That bond works both ways. In Leawood, a dog stopped a police officer on patrol and led him to his injured owner in a garage.
Be honest: would you have waited those four hours for your dog or cat? Tell me in the comments.
What You Can Do Before the Water Rises
Small steps make a big difference:
- Microchip your pet and keep your contact details current. One golden retriever near Plainfield, Illinois spent three days missing by a flooded river before being found alive.
- Keep a carrier, leash, and a few days of food and medicine in one bag.
- Call your local shelter early. Emotional support animals aren’t covered like trained service animals under the ADA, so rules can differ.
- If water surrounds your home, move to the highest spot, call 911, and keep your pet with you.
Before You Go
Eris’s family is still recovering, but they have each other, and that matters most.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available news reports.