When news about Typhoon Vamco made rounds online, people living in the northern part of the Philippines thought it wouldn’t be any different from the typhoons that came before it. By that we mean, they lessen their intensity before landfall. Little did they know that Typhoon Vamco was going to bring heavy rains and massive flooding.
It made its presence during the first half of November its year. It arrived at midnight, right when people were sleeping peacefully. Most of them woke up the next day to see their communities submerged in water. Some of their neighbors were already sitting on the roofs of their houses, crying for help.
How to protect dogs during a typhoon
Among those gravely affected by the typhoon Lauro, whom The Philippine Animal Welfare Society met while conducting relief operations. He wasted no time in talking to them about how he struggled to keep himself alive when the typhoon chased him out of house and home.
According to him, he sensed that something was wrong when the combination of heavy rains and strong winds didn’t cease. When the water started seeping its way into his house, he decided it was time to look for higher grounds. Before leaving, he untied his beloved pooches, Chichi and Dahlia.
As much as he wanted to bring the two dogs with him, he didn’t have the strength and the means to do so. Since both dogs knew how to swim, he figured setting them free would give them a higher chance of surviving the typhoon.
The calm after the storm
When Lauro returned home the day after, he found Chichi standing on top of a jeepney. After almost an hour of searching, he also found Dahlia, who succeeded in keeping herself safe from Vamco’s wrath.
His house is completely damaged, but that’s the least of his concerns. What’s more important to him is that his dogs are alive, and they have a chance to start over together.
Credits to Philippine Animal Welfare Society