Local Woman Saves Blind, Deaf Dog from Freezing Temperatures

Kelly Johnson finds and rescues Ferris Robinson's elderly dog Vick during a cold snap in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Ferris Robinson, a local author, lost her 19-year-old blind and deaf dog Vick during a freezing cold snap after Thanksgiving. After searching everywhere, an unknown number called Ferris, and it was Kelly Johnson, a neighbor who lived a mile away, saying she had found Vick and was holding him outside her house. Ferris rushed to find Kelly standing in the road, cradling the frail dog, who likely would have frozen to death that night if Kelly hadn't unexpectedly found and rescued him.

Why it matters

This story highlights the kindness of strangers and the importance of community looking out for one another, especially for vulnerable pets. Ferris' account emphasizes how easy it is to overlook the "angels among us" who come to the rescue in unexpected ways, underscoring the value of having a close-knit neighborhood that springs into action to help those in need.

The details

Ferris' elderly dog Vick, who is blind, deaf, and struggles to walk, wandered away from her home during the cold snap after Thanksgiving. Ferris searched everywhere for him, even posting on the neighborhood Facebook page, before receiving a call from Kelly Johnson, a neighbor who lived about a mile away. Kelly had found Vick and was holding him outside her house, saving him from potentially freezing to death in the frigid temperatures that night. Ferris rushed to find Kelly standing in the road, cradling the frail dog, an image she describes as that of a "beautiful dark-haired angel" with a "warm heavenly glow."

  • After Thanksgiving, there was a cold snap with freezing temperatures.
  • Ferris realized Vick was missing sometime in the middle of the day.

The players

Ferris Robinson

A local author who lost her 19-year-old blind and deaf dog Vick during a cold snap.

Vick

Ferris' 19-year-old blind and deaf dog who wandered away from home and was rescued by a neighbor.

Kelly Johnson

A neighbor who lived about a mile away from Ferris and unexpectedly found and rescued Vick, cradling the frail dog outside her house and saving him from potentially freezing to death.

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What they’re saying

“He's here in my arms. I'm just holding him outside my house,”

— Kelly Johnson (Chattanoogan.com)

The takeaway

This heartwarming story serves as a reminder to appreciate the kindness of strangers and the importance of close-knit communities looking out for one another, especially for vulnerable pets. It underscores how easy it is to overlook the "angels among us" who come to the rescue in unexpected ways, highlighting the value of having neighbors who are willing to spring into action to help those in need.