This week, a normal ferry trip along Brazil’s Amazon River turned into a rescue passengers and crew will not soon forget.
As the ferry moved across the river, people onboard noticed something floating in the distance. It appeared to be a large fallen tree drifting through the water — not an unusual sight in the Amazon. But as they looked closer, they realized there was an animal sitting on top of it.
A dog was stranded on the floating tree, far from shore, with no clear way to escape.
The crew immediately jumped into action. Knowing the exhausted dog could fall into the water or be carried even farther away by the current, they worked quickly to bring her safely onto the ferry.
Once she was finally aboard, the tired dog relaxed and rested, unaware that her life had just changed.
The crew member who pulled her from the water, Patrick Nascimento, later shared that the dog has been named Yara. Even better, she has already found a new home with a caring adopter.
Yara is now doing well. She has received medication and is being watched over by a veterinarian as she recovers from her frightening experience.
No one knows exactly how Yara ended up stranded on a drifting tree in the middle of the Amazon River. But thanks to the people on that passing ferry, her dangerous journey ended with safety, care and a brand-new chance at life.