When wildfires forced the family of Rob Holmes to evacuate from their Servier County home on Monday, they were forced to leave everything behind. How the family’s pet pig survived the devastating fire in Gatlinburg is truly a miracle.
According to Rob’s Facebook page, their entire home and everything on the property was burned to the ground.
“There’s nothing left. When I say nothing, it’s just ashes, but there is some good news. Charles is still there,” Rob posted on social media.
On Tuesday the family received a phone call that their pet pig had survived. Charles had burrowed himself into the mud.
“…So we lost everything materialistic but we had what was most important.OUR LIVES.!! We still could not get to what use to be our home cuz the spur was still closed. I didn’t care we got in through Booger Town. when I arrived this morning I couldn’t believe my eyes Charles had burrowed in the mud to survive. The Lord let us keep Charles how else could he survived 800 degree +temperatures. The alloy rims were melted off the car. I grabbed a piece today(in photos) Well now that I had him I heard the Sevier county fairgrounds were helping care for farm animals So we brought Charles there,” Rob posted.
It was Rob’s daughter Andrea who asked for the pig three years ago as a Christmas present. The two are obviously quite bonded. He is now being treated at the University of Tennessee Veterinary School and has been reported to be suffering from respiratory distress from smoke inhalation. According to WbirNews, animals being treated, who were affected by the fire, can be helped by clicking here.
(Photos of Gatlinburg fire and Charlie via Facebook of Rob Holmes) Get well soon Charles. You are one amazing pig, but we all know how smart pigs are!
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Get well soon, Charles! SO HAPPY your family still has you in their lives! ????
Every life saved is a soul not lost
Good news for a family pet.
They had to leave “every THING” behind? Charlie is not a THING! Every LIFE matters and Charlie should have been included in the evacuation. I saw this on the news this morning. I’m so very happy for Charlie that he was able to survive.
Thank you for sharing your Miracle! Well wishes for Charles!
So happy to hear Charlie is back with his family. Can not imagine if I lost my little Arnold my mini pig. He is so part of our family. Pigs are smart so I am not surprize Charlie knew what to do. It is a miracle he made it through. God was watching over him to bring him back to his family.
You don’t leave your pets behind.