Dog rescued after 44 hours under tornado rubble reunites with owner
By Olivia Hickey
Click here for updates on this story
ENID, Oklahoma (KOCO) — A dog named Pup was rescued after being trapped under rubble for 44 hours following an EF-4 tornado in Enid, Oklahoma, and has been reunited with her owner, Kay Dragoun.
“Pup is Pup, it’s a happy name, Pup, short and sweet just like she is,” Dragoun said.
Dragoun shared how Pup came into her life 13 years ago.
“She chose me being under an apple tree on Labor Day,” Dragoun said. “I thought she was somebody in the neighborhood, and I hunted and I hunted, and she chose me. I like things that choose me. I feel special.”
When Dragoun received a warning about the tornado approaching her neighborhood, she ensured both she and Pup were in safe spaces.
“I heard the warning, so I closed the door. She was lying in her bed,” Dragoun said.
Dragoun took shelter in her closet as the tornado hit.
“What I felt was like someone shaking out a throw rug,” Dragoun said.
After the storm passed, neighbors and loved ones rushed to help Dragoun, but her thoughts were with Pup.
“I immediately said my prayers for Pup,” Dragoun said.
During the cleanup, Dragoun experienced a moment of fear when Pup’s collar was found.
“Somewhere her collar was found, and that terrified me in that the wind might’ve picked her up. I might’ve never seen her again,” Dragoun said.
Pup was discovered 44 hours later, shaken but safe.
“So many hands, so many got us to where we are,” Dragoun said, expressing gratitude for those who helped rescue Pup and supported their recovery.
After a trip to the salon for a cleanup, Pup is ready for her next adventure as Dragoun waits to rebuild and return to their neighborhood.
“She loves the deer and all of the animals. She loves the bunnies, and she hates opossums,” Dragoun said.
Dragoun hopes their story inspires kindness and encourages people to donate to their local animal shelters.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.