What does it mean to be a true animal lover? It’s not just about feeding them or giving them a place to sleep. It goes way beyond that.
When you truly love someone, their flaws become beautiful. The same goes for animals. The love you feel for them can be just as deep as the love you have for a person.
We’ve all seen the incredible things animals do for humans. Movies like Hachiko, A Dog’s Purpose, and A Dog’s Way Home (my personal favorites) show how far dogs will go because they love us unconditionally.
But sometimes, it’s us humans who step up to save animals. Remember the wildfires in Australia? Hundreds of koalas were rescued by people. We’ve also seen photos of dogs, cats, and birds being saved from disasters. But let’s be honest—animals are much purer than we’ll ever be.
This story is one of those rare moments when a family went above and beyond to reunite with their dog after 54 long days.
In March, a deadly EF-4 tornado hit Tennessee, killing 24 people and causing massive destruction.
The Johnson family’s home in Cookeville was right in the path of the storm. Their dog Bella saved their lives by warning them just in time.
Eric Johnson told The Tennessean that Bella woke him up at 2 a.m., whining. Thanks to her, they had enough time to get to safety.
They rushed to the bathroom and hid in the bathtub. Eric said their house was leveled by the storm and “thrown about 50 yards with us still in the tub.”
Sadly, Bella went missing after the tornado. The family was heartbroken and reached out to local authorities for help in finding her.
For almost two months, they searched for Bella, praying every day that they’d be reunited.
Finally, after 54 days, their prayers were answered. The Johnsons got a call saying Bella had been spotted in a parking lot. Eric shared the news on social media: “Something amazing happened today! After 54 days missing from the tornado that destroyed our home, we’ve been reunited with our dog, Bella. To say I wasn’t starting to lose hope would be a lie. My wife and I prayed every day that God was keeping her safe until she could come home.”
The family thanked everyone who helped them find Bella, adding that she’s in perfect health. “Right now, our miracle dog has a full belly and is sleeping in a warm bed where she belongs.”
Bella even received the Heroic Dog Award from PETA for her bravery. And we know she’s not alone. There are countless other dogs out there who’ve saved their families—not just from disasters, but from everyday struggles like stress, trauma, and heartache.
So, here’s a shout-out to all the amazing animals and their loving owners!
