When Disaster Hits, Dogs Come To The Rescue

This year the U.S. has experienced devastating natural disasters.

Outbreaks of tornadoes leveled entire neighborhoods.

Flooding trapped people in their homes.

Wildfires burned out of control.

When people go missing during these catastrophes, it’s a race against time to find them alive – or their remains.

That crucial search is often carried out by specially trained dogs.

FEMA has 280 certified detection dogs trained to find people in disasters. Another 80 dogs are trained to search for human remains.

NPR’s Scott Detrow visits a Maryland training facility where dogs, and their handlers, learn skills that could save lives.

Dog Rescued 1 Year Ago Still Continues To Hug His New Mom Every Day She Comes Back Home

Meet Kylo, the rescue doggie who feels so grateful for being saved from a shelter, he just wants to snuggle and hug his human mom the moment she steps into their house. “As soon as I sit down to take off my shoes he climbs into my lap to be held,” Meghan Sweers, Kylo’s new owner, told The Dodo. “If I don’t sit down for our cuddle time he follows me around with the saddest most pathetic look on his face until I give in and hold him.”

But it wasn’t always like that – when he was just 10 months old, Kylo was surrendered to the shelter, and, once pulled away from it, spent ages at a foster home with no one showing interest in the goofy dog – until Sweers and her husband showed up.

Kylo’s first night at their home went absolutely perfect. “He crawled into my lap, tucked his head under my chin, and started snoring like a chainsaw,” Sweers said. “From that moment my husband and I knew he was staying with us!”

Kylo the hugging dog is so grateful for finding a loving forever home, he gives love to everyone he meets now. “He wins people over a bit forcibly… by climbing into their lap and falling asleep.”

More info: Facebook (h/t)