The April 27th tornado in Holt took their house and their dog. Thus began the mighty search for Diamond.
Four-Legged Survivor
Posted July 26, 2011
Garland Clark holds a very happy Diamond. The dog was missing for 19 days after the Holt tornadoes.
SABRINA FRANCIS WASN'T too worried about the tornado.
From her experience, the tornadoes that blew through West Alabama rarely hit her community of Holt. But the reports seemed serious enough on April 27th, so she and her fiancé, John, left their trailer home to seek stronger shelter with some friends.
They decided to leave their two dogs in the trailer. One was Pumpkin, a Chihuahua they inherited from John’s mother. The other was Diamond, an American pit bull terrier they had adopted from Garland Clark, the founder of Bama Bully Rescue, a volunteer-run, non-profit organization that finds homes for abandoned, abused, or neglected pit bulls and other bully breeds.
“Diamond was a great dog,” says Sabrina. “She was the perfect dog to have around.”
Sabrina and John watched the news from the safety of their friends’ house. They never heard anything about damage in Holt, so they headed back.
“We expected to find our home and dogs there waiting on us,” she says.
When they saw the road leading into their trailer park blocked off, fear began to set in. Someone told them that the entire park had been completely wiped out by a tornado.
“I just started crying,” says Sabrina.
John and his cousin later got into the park and found what they had feared. There was nothing there. No trailer. No dogs. Nothing.
“People told us they saw the dogs, and we looked in those places,” says Sabrina. But they had no luck. The dogs had disappeared.
So, Sabrina called Garland to ask for help.
Garland tacked up over 300 fliers around Holt and Northport. She contacted the Facebook page for Animals Lost and Found from the Tornadoes in Alabama that was created to reunite displaced pets with their owners. She posted a reward for the dogs’ return she was prepared to pay out of her own pocket. Her persistence got some notice. The flier was even featured on a CNN broadcast one evening.
A week passed. Two weeks. Almost three. Zero leads.
About 3 o’clock one morning, a woman phoned Garland. A pit bull terrier had wandered up into the woman’s yard. The dog was emaciated, but she recognized it from that Facebook page. It fit Diamond’s description.
Garland immediately drove to rescue the dog. Again. Though she offered the reward, the woman wouldn’t accept it. Garland put Diamond in her truck and delivered her to Sabrina and John, both full of joy.
Diamond had been missing a total of 19 days and had lost about 20 pounds. She was found 7 miles from her home. Donations through the Animals Lost and Found from the Tornadoes in Alabama site helped pay for care. The vet ended up picking off over 300 ticks, many burrowed deep in her ear canals. And she had one large piece of glass buried in her shoulder. But she was alive.
(Unfortunately, Pumpkin is still missing. “He might be alive somewhere,” says Sabrina. “But we just don’t know.”)
These days, Sabrina and John now live in a FEMA trailer. People have donated lots of things, such as new beds and other furniture. “It doesn’t feel like home, though, because we lost our home,” says Sabrina. “But we’re on our feet and doing what we were doing; taking care of the kids, working, and trying to get by.”
One thing is back to normal: Diamond. Her weight is back up, and Sabrina says the dog is even more confident than before the tornado. She’s not even afraid of thunderstorms. “She doesn’t act any different in the rain,” says Sabrina.
And to make sure they never lose Diamond like that again, Garland even bought a pet microchip implant for the dog.
Sabrina’s not too worried about Diamond anymore.
For more information on the pets affected by the recent tornadoes, visit the Facebook page for Animals Lost and Found from the Tornadoes in Alabama 4/27/11 or altornadoanimals.wordpress.com.
For more information on Garland’s organization, visit BamaBully.org.
For a wealth of disaster relief resources, visit Regions Disaster Resource Center. You'll find banking information tailored to help people experiencing financial crises with loans, foreclosures, or credit card debt because of natural disasters. It also features links to the American Red Cross, FEMA, United Way, and other organizations working to help people get back on their feet.
BAMA BULLY RESCUE is a Regions customer.
comments (27)
That is amazing! I'm really glad she found her dog. Hopefully she finds her other dog, too! I would've been worried sick!
LauraNot a real fan of Pits after my little shih tzu was attacked by 2, but this put a smile on my face this morning.
Linda WickI'm so happy Diamond was found and sad Pumpkin is still missing and likely dead. The animals should never have been left alone in the trailer to fair the tornado on their own. If it's not safe for you, it's not safe for your pets.
LoriHOPE YOU FIND PUMPKIN. GOOD LUCK.
KATHY WESSLINGThis is a great story. Garland is a hero. Sabrina and John are as well because they did not give up on their best friend Diamond. This story means a lot to me, because we have a pit bull that looks just like Diamond. Same colors. Same white socks on her feet and chest.
Bill AskewI am so glad Diamond survived. My concern is for their chihuahua, Pumpkin. Did they put up flyers of Pumpkin? Is there a picture of him or her that could be posted with the story? I hope everyone reading this learns the lesson that your pets are part of your family and should never be left behind for any reason.
Mary MorseSo glad that Diamond was found. I have a poodle that was given to me by a relative. Her sister-in-law had given him to another lady who ended up giving him back for different reasons. When we got him, he acted scared and needed constant reassurance of our love. Pepper is a year and half old and still needs reassurance. I have problems with him having separation anxiety. We fully believe that he was abused by his previous owner. I am glad there is a program for abused pits and other bullies ALL animals need love not abuse!!!!
Julie McIlwainWonderful story. I'm glad that Diamond is back with her loving family. Don't give up hope. Pumpkin just might show up. Sabrina, home is where the heart (John and the kids) is.
Maggie MillerYeah, that is a very nice story....BUT what about the other dog? Are they doing the same about the reward or looking for it?
AlejandraIt just goes to show that not all pit bulls are bad dogs! Thank goodness for rescue places like Bama Bully!
Pam HollandThis story made me cry. What an emotional situation for Sabrina and her family to go through.
AndreaI'm so glad you found your dog.They are like our kids.
BeverlyFantastic, heartwarming story. A dedicated effort on Garland Clark's part combined with a wonderful site developed by Allison Graves and supported by a team of volunteers from many rescue organizations reunited yet another pet lost in the storms with her family.
Kelly WootenGlad you found your bully. Everyone please chip your animals. It is an inexpensive way for a better chance for your pets to come home.
BrianI lost everything in Hurricane Katrina: Home, possessions, job. But my precious cats and I survived the devastation, and because of that and some lessons I learned about "stuff" being just that, stuff, I consider myself a very fortunate person. I may have had only the clothes on my back and a hurricane battered old truck to call my own, but my "family" was intact and I will always be grateful for that.
CyndiThis is such a great story, for my daughter too has a pit bull for a pet and she also went missing for 3 days. We found her at a local vet, because someone saw her walking around and turned her in. We love our dog, and not everyone understands these dogs are just as lovable as all dogs. Thanks to the Bama Bully Resuce for helping pit bulls in need, and glad your dog was found and returned.
Becky ChustzA very happy ending to what could have been a sad story. A lesson to be learned: if the threat is bad enough for you, it is bad enough for your pets. Take them with you when you evacuate.
Kerri DonnellySorry, but why do you leave your dogs in the trailer while you know there is a risk!!!! They do not deserve to have animals in my opinion!
P DrenthAlthough I'm glad she found one of her dogs and hopefully she'll find the other, when you feel that a situation is serious enough that you fear for your own safety, that means that your beloved animals are also in danger, and they should also be considered. Take them with you.
Heather Waters DavisWhat a beautiful story of hope and restoration to the family and the dog. This story absolutely brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story of survival and love. God's Blessings for continued growth and joy in your lives.
CarolSuch a wonderful story! I'm a dog lover, too, (I have 4 at home) and it would absoultely break my heart to lose one of them in a tornado like this. So thankful Diamond made it back home where she belongs.
Mitzi LittrellGood to hear that Diamond made it home! However, people need to take responsibility for the care and protection of their pets, including their needs during situations such as this. The sadest part of this story is that the dogs were left behind in the first place.
DebiThis wouldn't have happened if the owers took their dogs with them in the first place, especially the smaller dog.
SummerSuch a great story, but I agree. I couldn't imagine leaving my dogs behind. They're like my babies!! lol But a great story, thanks for sharing.
LeslieI am thankful that Diamond was reunited with her owners, but the dogs should have never been left alone to weather any type of storm regardless of what the outcome might be. If you evacuate, then so should your pets. I could not have left my dogs behind. They should have the same protection as anyone else. They trust YOU to take care of them.
RebeccaWhat a wonderful story. I have five Jack Russell Terriers that bring so much joy to our lives. So very happy you were able to unite with Diamond just wish Pumpkin would show up.
Lynne EtheridgeThis is great... I recently lost my baby (a Shih Tzu named Emmy) due to an unexpected illness. I can't imagine this either though! I'm glad Diamond is home safe and sound now :)
Lee