Texas Ranch Dog Rescued After 16 Hours Trapped in Flooded Gully

For most pet owners, dogs are family—and sometimes circumstances put that bond to the test in unimaginable ways. That was the case for Texas ranch owner Erin Dogouet, who recently endured the nightmare of believing she had lost her loyal Kangal, Ziva, forever.

Source: YouTube

Ziva wasn’t just a pet; she was a trusted livestock guardian on the ranch. But while Erin was away in Colorado, heavy flooding swept across the property. Under the care of Erin’s sister, Shannon, and a pet sitter, Taelyn, Ziva vanished after chasing a wild animal. Hours of searching turned into 16 agonizing hours of uncertainty and fear.

The dog’s chase had led her deep into the property near the Medina River, where rising floodwaters trapped her in a gully. Three slick, steep walls surrounded her, while the roaring river blocked her escape route. Erin later explained, “Ziva was found trapped in a flooded gully along the Medina River. The roaring river blocked any escape back home, and the three other sides were too steep and slick for her to climb out on her own.”

Thankfully, Ziva’s GPS collar gave the family a sliver of hope. Erin, tracking remotely from Colorado, noticed the signal had stayed in the same place for hours—a worrying sign that her dog might not have survived. But Shannon and Taelyn pushed on through the mud and floodwater, determined to reach her.

Source: YouTube

When they finally arrived at the location, they struggled to see through the debris and rising water. Then, at last, they spotted her: exhausted but alive, Ziva was clinging to survival. Together, they carefully pulled the 120-pound dog up and out of the flooded gully, rescuing her after her harrowing ordeal.

The reunion brought immense relief. Back at home, Ziva collapsed into a deep ten-hour sleep—tired, but miraculously uninjured. For Erin, receiving the call that Ziva was safe was one of the most heartwarming updates of her life.

Source: YouTube

What could have been a tragedy instead became a story of resilience, love, and survival. Ziva’s ordeal served as a reminder of the extraordinary loyalty of working dogs—and the deep bond that makes them irreplaceable members of the family.

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This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.