When their home had become submerged by floodwaters, Rex went missing. They searched endlessly. Three days later they found him, perched on top of a massive fallen tree, floating along the river…
Western Cape, South Africa (20 May 2026) – In July last year, the Acker family suffered a painful loss when their beloved English Pointer, Charlie, passed away. He had been ill for a few weeks before liver failure caused his sudden passing.
Grief hits just the same when you lose a pet as when you lose a loved one. It was heartbreaking for the Ackers. But then, something unexpected happened. A special visitor turned up on their stoep.
“We found a stray dog curled up on our stoep – thin, starving and desperate for help. He was extremely nervous and kept his distance at first, but over the next few days we fed him, cared for him and slowly began building trust.”
They named him Rex, and Rex never left.
“Before long, he had crept into our hearts and become part of the family. Our home and business is situated on the banks of the Breede River, just outside Worcester, and he quickly settled into life there – roaming the grounds and making himself completely at home on our couch.”
Almost as if Charlie had sent Rex to soften his family’s grief and bring them love, the Ackers took him in with open arms.
Then, the flooding. Last week, severe weather swept over the Western Cape, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Before long, roads were closed. Schools and businesses, too. Rescue operations set out in full force.
The Ackers were one of many families forced to pack up and evacuate before the floods took their home. Sadly, in the chaos of all that, Rex disappeared.
Related Stories
Healers, Helpers And Heroes: South Africa's Good News Wrap Up!
Elderly Share Their 'I Once Was…' Stories in Heartwarming Video!“Last week, however, devastating floods swept through the Breede Valley after days of heavy rain. The river rose to unimaginable levels, completely submerging our home. We rushed to pack up what we could, but during the chaos Rex disappeared.” Jayne shares.
“As the floodwaters raged through the valley, our hearts sank. Once the water levels finally began to drop, we sent messages to neighbours and nearby communities, desperately searching for any sign of him. We hoped he had somehow reached higher ground, but feared he may have been swept away by the enormous torrent of water.”
Two days after losing Rex, a glimmer of hope appeared. They had a lead. Someone in their community had heard the cries of a distressed dog in the flooded area. The Ackers and a close friend rushed there within minutes.
“On Wednesday afternoon, we were alerted to the cries of a dog in distress somewhere in the flooded area. Without hesitation, my husband and a close friend pulled on their wetsuits and began wading through the floodwaters. They searched through the debris and submerged trees until darkness approached, but found nothing.”
With all the hope they could muster, the Ackers believed that Rex still had to be out there. They weren’t giving up. Early the next morning, they set out again in the kayak.
Then luck struck down on them like a ray of sunlight.
“Then, against all odds, we found him. Rex was stranded on top of a massive pile of uprooted trees floating in the river – exhausted, but alive. Amazingly, after spending three nights adrift in the floodwaters, he was completely unharmed.”
They found Rex, he was exhausted, but he was okay.
After a tremendously difficult few days, not only losing Rex, but watching their home and property succumb to flood damage, finding him again has lifted the Acker’s spirits.
“After everything he had already survived before finding us, Rex somehow survived the floods too.” shares Jayne. “We are beyond grateful and overjoyed to have our boy home again!”
The family are now working to clean up and restore their property, with Rex safely nearby keeping a watchful eye.
by 
