Flooded Memories “Theo” - who was rescued by boat from 4 Paws Pet Resort /RI Animal Medical. Photo provided by Shane McCann
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in his care behind, he chose to stay. He told the 911 dispatcher that he would need to be provided with a boat to carry the animals across the rising waters, and an animal control vehicle to be waiting for them on the other side to ensure that in this stressful situation the dogs could be transported together without risk of altercations. Being unable to safely transport the animals from this side of the building, they decided to call in the Cranston Fire Department, and at 4:30 am, with the water steadfastly rising, two men in full survival suits appeared at the door. Chad, assisted by staff members, Warwick Animal Control, and the Cranston Fire Department carried the animals two by two in an RHIB inflatable boat to the animal control vehicle. Their efforts continued throughout the night and well into the morning hours. Chad had called all of the owners of the animals in his care pervious to the rescue and was able to reunite some of them with their pets by noon. Those animals whose owners could not make it to the scene were taken home by caring staff members until they as well could be reunited. Chad Callanan went to extraordinary efforts to save the lives of the animals entrusted in his care, but he could not have done it alone. He wishes to express his thanks to Officer York of Warwick Animal Control, both the Cranston and Warwick Fire Departments, and to staff members Dr. McStay, Kristina Springle, Luke McDonald, and Julio Augusto. One very thankful owner is Shane McCann, whose beautiful adopted Beagle mix Theo was
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one of the dogs safely evacuated that night. Shane was away on business in Manhattan when he received word of the evacuation, and he is extremely grateful that Theo’s other Dad, Kevin Lagor, could be there in his stead to bring Theo home safely and assist in the rescue efforts of the other animals as well. Shane was watching the news, live from Cranston, while in Manhattan and at one point turned to his friend and said “If I turn on The Today Show and see Theo in a little life boat I’m going to freak out.” He had no idea how foreshadowing that statement would be, and thankfully Theo quite enjoyed his boat ride. Crystal Sylvia, of Taunton, Massachusetts, was also going about business as usual on the morning of March 31st. The rain was pouring down, but she took her three rescued Pit Bulls, Rubin, Mia, and Karma for a long walk and settled them into their crates downstairs before running off to work. However when she returned home she heard the dogs barking and sounding distressed. When she looked downstairs, there was well over a foot of water in the house. Parts of their hardwood flooring had come loose and were floating past her disbelieving eyes. Fortunately, the dogs were all unharmed. She and her husband had never expected to be effected by the flooding and their sump pumps failed to assist in helping eliminate the rising waters in their home. The couple was forced to evacuate their home for the next 48 hours due to the severe flooding on their street. They were unable to bring their dogs with them. Terrified and overwrought, they secured the dogs into crates, high above the water line, with blankets, chew toys, food and water and prayed that they would be unharmed both physically and emotionally. When they were able to return home, they saw that their prayers for the dogs had been answered; all three were unharmed, albeit scared and shaken up. However their home was destroyed. They tried in vain to clean and remove the water, but the house’s foundation was so severely damaged that the structure is now unlivable. The couple’s options for housing are very limited, and their
Mia and Rubin snuggling on the couch.
Karma