Lucky Dog Survives Flying 4 Blocks In Crate During Tornado – How His Kennel Saved His Life
Gabrielle LaFrank
|
The only thing more terrifying than a tornado whipping through your home is knowing that your pet is unprotected. Dog owners can only imagine the fear that one Rottweiler’s family felt when they found their Elkhorn, Nebraska home demolished after an EF-3 tornado ripped through their town–and their dog was nowhere to be found.
Zeus was in his kennel on the upstairs floor of the house when the tornado hit on April 26, but after the storm, both the dog and the kennel were gone. It’s believed that Zeus was swept up into the tornado while still inside his crate, and local dog rescuer Stacy Smith is confident that the crate saved his life.
Thankful for Zeus’s Miracle
After the tornado, Stacy was patrolling for lost pets with a team from Bullies and Beyond Rescue when she found Zeus’s kennel upside down and with its door open. The crate was located four blocks away from the dog’s home, but it seemed that the Rottweiler, who only suffered minor injuries, was already making his way home. Shortly after, the Nebraska Humane Society found him lying on a mattress only two blocks away from his house. His identity was confirmed with a microchip scanner, and he was taken to the vet for a thorough checkup.
Besides losing a few nails, sustaining a scratch on his nose, and experiencing some tenderness in his back leg, 1-year-old Zeus is back to his happy-go-lucky self. He is currently receiving free boarding in Omaha until his family is back on their feet.
What Crate Was Zeus Inside Of?
While Zeus’s family is grieving the loss of their home, finding their fur baby safe and sound must have been the greatest silver lining. Many people are impressed that he sustained so few injuries after being picked up by a tornado and flying several blocks, but Stacy has no doubts about why he stayed safe.
“The owner stated he was in his kennel on the top floor of the home, and I think that kennel saved his life,” she told WOWT Omaha. But what kennel was he in?
While no one has been able to confirm the brand or model of the crate that Zeus’s family used, we are able to make a very good guess based on the images and descriptions provided. If you compare images side by side the BOLDBONE Heavy Duty Indestructible and Escape-Proof Dog Crate is an exact match!
This heavy-duty kennel for large dogs comes in several different sizes and is built to keep escape artists safely inside. It opens from two doors for easy access from any angle, and its rust- and chew-proof reinforced steel bars are guaranteed to keep their shape. It’s safe to say that Zeus’s family would agree—this kennel lived up to its description and more!
While dog owners should never expect that their furry friend would ride out a storm in a crate, it’s comforting to know that a heavy-duty kennel did what it was supposed to do. Because of his crate, Zeus lives to see another day…and he has one incredible story to tell.
