Hurricane Harvey ripped through southern Texas and left a wake of destruction in its path. Hundreds of families were left without homes; many having to evacuate to other cities.
For one family that tried to flee to the last room available at a Holiday Inn, they weren't expecting they'd have to leave their four-legged friends behind.
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Gillian Parker, a New Territory, Texas resident, received a mandatory evacuation call due to rising floodwaters of Hurricane Harvey.
Parker, her husband Phillip, their 16-year-old daughter Allison as well as their 81-year old grandmother Sylvia gathered everything they could – including their three dogs – hopped into two cars and drove to higher ground.
After countless roadblocks, dead-ends, and the loss of one of their cars, the 4 humans and 3 dogs finally found a hotel with a room available – The Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Katy, Texas.
What was once a sign of hope quickly turned when the management team told them they were not able to take their three rescue dogs – all Lab mixes - inside with them.
The family was shocked.
“It’s ridiculous and outrageous. This is an 800-year-flood. Three exits down the highway, the national guard is pulling people out of their houses. And our dogs can’t come in to safety?” Gillian said.
Out of options, the family left the three dogs – Arrow (a Lab/Shepherd mix), Wiggum (a Chocolate Lab/Hound mix), and Buttercup (a Yellow Lab) – outside in their tiny Prius for two nights.
Though the three dogs were never alone – Gillian and Philip would take turns staying with them overnight - they eventually had to turn off their car, scared they would run out of gas and become stranded. Allison would help walk the pups but what was once a lost hope morphed into anger.
“It’s pouring rain. You’re soaked to the bone just getting there, and walking them is even worse. The rain felt like needles in your face. And you even up shivering in your car. It’s just…I’m just chagrined, irritated, cold, wet, tired, and exhausted,” Gillian said.
The foursome did consider sneaking the dogs in, but feared they would lose their room and be stranded once more.
Jim Hernandez, the Holiday Inn General manager refused to overturn the no-pets policy – despite the circumstances.
“Our hotel is not a pet-friendly hotel. We do offer our guests areas where they can take their pets to be kenneled. There’s locations here down the street that are able to take their pets if they like,” Hernandez said.
But eventually after two long nights - around 8pm - Hernandez said the dogs could come in for one night – in exchange for a pet deposit and a positive review of the Holiday Inn.
Thankfully the following morning around 3:30am, the family was able to move to the Marriott Towne Place Suites after a room opened up.
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The entire family – including the three pups – were welcomed with open arms.
What do you think? Do you think the hotel should've let the dogs inside despite the no-pets policy? Let us know in the comments below and make sure to share this article with your friends!