Today’s Positive News story comes from Washington County, Tennessee.
Happy news hits in aftermath of Hurricane Helene, crews performing rescues in west Tennessee stumbled upon a dog trapped 20 feet high in a tree. Swept away by floodwaters, the dog, Athena, had miraculously survived after being separated from her owners during the chaotic storm.
TJ and Allie Faulkner, Athena’s owners, rushed to get their children to safety at their parents’ house as the waters rose. It was too late when they tried to return for their beloved dog and belongings.
“A bunch of debris pushed up against my front porch…it just collapsed. When it did that, it just pushed my house and floated away— like an ark,” said TJ Faulkner.
Heartbroken, the Faulkners were certain they would never see their dog again. Days later, however, during a search and rescue operation, hope was restored.
The Kingsport Fire Department’s Technical Rescue Team, in collaboration with a K-9 Search Unit from the Murfreesboro Police Department, discovered Athena high in a tree near the river.
Captain Zach Helvey, described the incredible moment: “The bloodhound was walking and going crazy, I just happened to look up in the tree like ‘Oh my God, there’s a dog!'”
Athena was safely retrieved from the tree, but she was hungry. After being fed and checked, she was handed over for a reunion with her family.
The Faulkners, despite the loss of their home and belongings, are happy with the Positive news of their dog returning. “We’ve lost so much, but we have each other—and now, we have Athena back,” they said in gratitude.