Dog found alive in tornado-leveled house

After spending all night in its owner’s home, a dog was safely rescued on Wednesday morning from a home in the Buford neighborhood that was badly-damaged by a tornado on Tuesday. Cameras captured the special moment when Kirin, an American Eskimo, was reunited with his owners. Kirin was found alive and well at the Bancroft Way home where his owners, Matthew and Reasey Lee, live in the Kirkstone subdivision. The Gwinnett County neighborhood was hit hard Tuesday when severe weather rolled through the area, and spawned a tornado.on

Matthew Lee said that authorities searched his home on Tuesday night, but they told him they didn’t find Kirin inside. So, he and his wife decided to return on Wednesday morning to have another look. Video captured on Wednesday morning showed the happy reunion. Gwinnett County workers helped the couple search through what was left of their bedroom.

“Early this morning, we went to what was left of the bedroom, and heard him start whimpering,” Matthew explained. “And those nice gentlemen helped me, I guess, lift the wall, and out he came.” Kirin, who is about 8 years old according to the Lees, appeared to be very happy to see his owners, and the feeling was clearly mutual. “A house is a house,” said Matthew Lee. “Kirin can’t be replaced,” his wife added.

A total of 56 homes were damaged by Tuesday’s twister, and residents were forced to seek shelter elsewhere. Matthew Lee said their house appeared to have been damaged worse than any other home in the neighborhood. Still somehow, the Lees were nothing but grateful on Wednesday morning. “It’s a blessing that I have my husband and I have my dog,” Reasey said, who was clearly emotional upon seeing her dog again. “We’re all still here. Everything else can be taken care of.”