After catastrophic floods tore through Central Texas this week, families are left grieving, homes lie in ruins, and over 90 lives have been lost.
Among the devastation, countless pets have also been displaced — wandering through wreckage, searching for the comfort of loved ones who may never return.
One of them was a dog named Superman.
Rescuers found Superman curled up in a pile of debris, his body aching and his eyes filled with fear. He had survived the storm, but his person had tragically not. Alone in the wreckage, Superman seemed to be waiting for someone who would never come.
When search and rescue crews spotted him, they knew they couldn’t leave him behind. At first, Superman trembled and tried to keep his distance, but the volunteers refused to give up.
“Fearful and aching after being swept away from his home, Superman was hesitant to trust,” Texas rescue group Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) shared in a post. “With patience and a bit of dog-whispering, volunteers finally earned his trust and safely removed him from the scene.”
Superman was taken straight to APA!’s medical team for care, and rescuers quickly located his surviving family. Still reeling from their loss, they told APA! that Superman is their last living connection to the loved one they lost.
“His surviving family, now grieving and having lost everything, are doing everything they can to hold on to the last piece of their past that remains — Superman,” APA! wrote.
For now, Superman is being cared for by an experienced foster family while his people rebuild their lives and prepare to bring him home again.
Thanks to volunteers who refused to give up on him, this resilient dog has a safe place to heal and a future filled with love.
But countless other pets are still waiting. In times like these, rescue teams rely on help from the community. Texas locals can sign up to volunteer with APA!’s flood relief efforts, and supporters everywhere can contribute through their donation page.
“These floods have been devastating for all living beings,” said APA! president and CEO Dr. Ellen Jefferson. “So many people are searching for pets who may be the last connection to a lost family member. Pets are deeply intertwined in these stories — and saving them matters.”
Superman’s journey is far from over, but thanks to compassion and teamwork, he now has the chance to start again.
