Man Refuses To Leave His Beloved Dog Behind During Flood Rescue

When floodwaters surrounded a vacation property in Sedona, Arizona, Alex Dale faced a frightening situation with his wife, 11 guests, and his beloved dog, Jackson. First responders arrived to bring everyone to safety, but there was one problem Alex refused to overlook. The rescue team did not have a harness designed for dogs, and Alex was determined not to leave his two-year-old companion behind. Rather than accept that Jackson might have to stay, he worked out a way for them to make the journey together.

Alex had every reason to be concerned about getting his family and guests out safely. But Jackson was part of that family, too, and Alex wanted to make sure his dog had the same chance to escape the rising water.

A Flood Rescue With One Very Important Passenger

The flooding had created a dangerous situation at the vacation property Alex owns in Sedona. With his wife and 11 guests also needing assistance, first responders faced the challenge of getting the group away from the affected area. For Alex, the rescue could not be complete without Jackson. The two-year-old dog was his beloved companion, and leaving him behind was simply not an option he was willing to consider.

“He’s my little baby,” Alex said during an interview featured by Inside Edition. Those few words explained why he was so determined to find a solution.

When rescuers arrived, however, they did not have a canine harness available. That meant there was no ready-made piece of equipment specifically intended to secure Jackson for the aerial evacuation. Alex understood the problem, but he was not prepared to give up on getting his dog out with him. He decided to improvise using the equipment available.

A Creative Harness Setup Keeps Jackson Close

Without a specialized dog harness, Alex found another way to secure Jackson for the rescue. He described using two harnesses to support his dog while keeping him attached to his own body. One orange harness went around Jackson’s body, while another provided support beneath his rear. Alex then secured Jackson to himself so he could hold the dog throughout the lift.

The arrangement required Alex to keep Jackson close as they were raised high above the flooded area. It was an unusual solution to a problem neither of them had expected to face.

In his interview, Alex demonstrated how the harnesses supported Jackson and how he held the dog against himself. The setup allowed them to stay together during a moment when separating would have been especially difficult for Alex.

Holding His Dog 200 Feet Above The Ground

The rescue took Alex and Jackson approximately 200 feet into the air. With Jackson secured against him, Alex held onto his dog as they were lifted away from the flood-affected property.

For many dog parents, even imagining that kind of situation would be unsettling. Alex was not simply trying to manage his own evacuation, but also making sure his four-legged companion remained supported throughout the lift. Fortunately, the improvised arrangement worked. Jackson was successfully rescued, and Alex’s determination meant the dog did not have to remain behind at the property.

The outcome was a relief after the uncertainty surrounding the evacuation. What began as a problem involving missing canine rescue equipment ended with Alex and Jackson making it through the aerial rescue together.

Safe Together After A Frightening Experience

Although Jackson made it to safety, the flooding left Alex facing another challenge. His vacation property suffered damage, and a GoFundMe fundraiser was established to help cover the cost of repairs.

The recovery of the property would take additional work, but the most important part of the rescue had already been accomplished. Jackson was out of danger, and Alex had managed to keep his beloved companion with him.

Alex’s experience shows just how important pets can be to the families who love them. When the rescuers lacked a canine harness, he worked to find another solution rather than leave Jackson behind.

For Alex, the successful rescue meant more than reaching safety himself. It meant bringing his little buddy along, securely held against him, all the way through an extraordinary journey above the floodwaters.