Houston, Texas, and the areas surrounding it have been devastated by the flooding brought to them by Hurricane Harvey. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced, and at least 10 have been confirmed dead.
But out of the unprecedented devastation have come countless stories of hope and heroism. Neighbors and strangers have put their own safety and comfort at risk to help those in danger and in need.
Two such heroes are father and son Chance and Rowdy Ward. These Texas cowboys have been showing the world what true heroism and selflessness look like as they have ridden around the area trying to save as many people, horses, and livestock as they can.
Chance has posted several harrowing videos of their efforts on Facebook. The pair was out early in the morning, loading up their horses and driving to where these helpless animals were trapped.
One video that has gone viral shows Rowdy roping a feisty stud colt who was trapped in his pen. As Rowdy tried to keep his own horse calm, he used all his might to open up the gate to the pen, which had become stuck in the mud under the deep waters.
All animals were saved
Posted by Chance Ward on Monday, August 28, 2017
“This is what we do,” Chance says in the video. “We help livestock. We try to help people.”
Amazingly, according to the caption on the video, “All animals were saved.”
The heroic pair’s work isn’t done yet, but they are already receiving praise from grateful animal lovers all around the world.
“Love seeing this kind of kindness,” wrote commenter Ashlee Byron. “Thank God those men were around and were able to save that poor horse. You two are amazing men, and you sir, have raised an incredible son. Thank you guys for being you”
For Stacy Reik, the Wards’ efforts haven’t just been a far off story to watch or read about – she has seen their incredible efforts firsthand.
“He has been helping us all down her (sic) with livestock and people rescues!!” she commented on the Facebook video. “It’s a (sic) honor to call him a neighbor!!”
Just helping.
Posted by Chance Ward on Monday, August 28, 2017
We are certainly grateful for heroic people like Chance and Rowdy who are going above and beyond to make sure not one person or animal is left behind in the flood, and we will continue to bring you more stories like this one as they come to light!
Are you grateful for Chance and Rowdy’s heroic and selfless efforts? So share this!
Geraldine Stubbs
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Boy they got their work cut out for them.
Mae Bootsie Bowers Marcil
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May God be with you and keep you safe during your rescues. Such amazing men you are!
Rita Levine
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Awesome man hope stupid,owner doesn’t get horse back. Should be charged with cruelty
Frances Thompson
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No excuse that poor horse
Barbara Aresco
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Pets ARE my family. So yes, I would somehow insure they were safe, too. You don’t speak for me.
There’s this neat little feature called “unfollow” you can utilize if the content of this page offends you so. Try it.
Susan Grace
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Thank God he got there in time!
JohnnyGallup DonnaMichaud
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Karen Michaud
Karen Michaud
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Pam Hamlin Lambros I want to go save these animals so bad
Shelly Henson
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Thank you!
Janice Hicks
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Thank you for saving the horse
Barb Scott
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Thank you for your help !!!! Great to see such humanity….
Brandi Kaitlin
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I am not defending anyone but I really don’t think anyone expected the flooding that came to be so intense and deep. Not an excuse to leave your animals without a chance but they may not have realized they were leaving their horse to drown.
Debbie Jackson
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Awesome
Jay McFarland
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No you wouldn’t. And that’s why I asked if this was going to be the norm.
Alysia Parker
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:/ They were helping the owner retrieve the horse as waters rose too fast to get it to safety. Let’s stick to the true story.
Susan Wisecarver
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Dang it, now that is my ear worm. Lol
Jay McFarland
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And to “unfollow” a page is about as easy as keeping your mouth shut and scrolling on past.
Susan Wisecarver
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While I agree this was not the most responsible thing the owners could have done, but we don’t know their situation.
I know if there was a massive flood where I live, I might not be able to save my 2 horses. I don’t have a trailer so I could not transport them. I could ride them out but I have a 37 year old horse not sure if he could handle the stress.
Ann Grant
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Thank you. So glad you were therr
Sue Weston
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Hero
Donna McKenzie
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God love him. Blessings kind sir.
Melinda McCaddon
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Mama’s please let your babies grow up to be cowboys!
Janet Arbogast Troy
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What a good guy!
Peggy Eldred
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Yeah once upon a time people use to turn their live stock out of all enclosures so they could get to higher ground, now it is against the law.
Patti Foys Eier
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TG for cowboys!
Berneda Holbrook
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Thank you
Lynn Gusler Quatman
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Love cowboys with big hearts.
Candy Allen
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I don’t understand how people can be so cruel. Thank you for saving this beauty.
Lee Pyle
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So happy some are being saved
Maggie Campbell
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Well done.
Debra Parkes
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You are heroes,and Dad,you taught your boygood♥️☮
Russ Dardeno
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You are a hero in my book.Thank you for saving that poor horse.
Sandra Dickmeyer
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God bless these very special people!!
Susan Maselli
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Susan Wisecarver sorry!
Susan Miller Schnock
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I saw a thing on the news of a family getting rescued. Basket from helicopter came down and picked up mom and kids. Came down again and picked up the family dog. Came down a third time and dad got in. During Matthew we took our dogs but had to leave our parrots and our cat. We made sure they had two weeks of food and water. Cat had a 25 lb bag of food and we left 5 gallons of water. Sadly sometimes we have to leave our pets behind.
Susan Miller Schnock
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You do realize these people barely got out themselves. Also the water levels were not expected to get as high as they did. Sometimes we have to make hard choices, and hope for the best.
Jay McFarland
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My point exactly.
Dee La
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I thank you i pray all is well! live long and prosper!
Gill Hammond
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Thank God for these caring people.. we all have a place on earth even thru disasters.
Tammy Rief
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Thanks to all the people helping with the scared animals. God Bless you all!!
Helen Pat Barry
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God Bless you life savers being there for helpless animals Take care
Sil Guzman
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What a blessing!!
Nancy C. Brown Wheeler
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Why would you leave him in the first place but if you had to why wouldn’t you at least open the fence so he had a chance of getting out on his own. Stupid people!
Lenie Leonido
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Blessed those people who save animals
Lynn Stewart
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Wonderful – thank you
Em Mc
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Acayla Mcclelland ❤❤
Teressa Tyer
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Kylie Milligan
Belmiro Branquinho
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Lindo jesto !!!
Victoria Mackay
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Well done I just don’t understand People to day .
Karen Morris
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Thank you!!