Surviving Hurricane Helene With a German Shorthaired Pointer

This week we sat down with Rebecca, the amazing human behind the popular and soulful dog account, @life.with,pickles, which is an eponymous tribute to her German Shorthaired Pointer, Pickles. Rebecca was one of our first followers when we launched TOC, and we are so thankful that she and Pickles are okay following Hurricane Helene, which impacted their home in North Carolina. We sat down with her to discuss how Pickles helped her during and following the storm, and before that, in the aftermath of a big move to North Carolina, and a broken foot and subsequent surgery. Keep reading for how you can help their community recover as well.

How are you and Pickles doing following Hurricane Helene?

I truly appreciate all the TOC family members who checked in on us. The storm was intense and unnerving for both of us. We stayed close together throughout the storm and the weeks after. But if you know Pickles, she’s never very far away! ;)

Can you tell us more about what happened to your house? How about your community?

Rebecca (above with Pickles), wrote on Instagram following Hurricane Helene, “After nine days at home without power or water or cell coverage, I left to go stay with a great friend. She spoiled us and provided a loving space to decompress. At that point, I was able to get online and see the extent of the devastation, but also the recovery efforts and community efforts. I was also able to receive all of the loving messages from friends, family, coworkers. It meant the world, and I continue to deeply appreciate messages checking in.”

Hurricane Helene broke 34 flood records, causing catastrophic flooding, landslides, and immense damage in the Appalachians, with some areas receiving up to 30 inches of rain. Many lives were lost, homes and businesses were destroyed, and entire towns were flooded, with ongoing search efforts for missing people and pets.

Fortunately, my house sustained only minor damage. We went 12 days without power, water, or cell service.  Large trees crashed down around us, but missed the house. The driveway took a hit but is fixable, and the road down the mountain was severely damaged until just yesterday. We cleared water from the house right away and treated it preventively for mold.

In the aftermath, communities came together to support rescue and recovery efforts. Neighbors shared food and supplies, while organizations and volunteers worked tirelessly to clear debris and help repair homes.

Did you notice anything about Pickles’ behavior during and following the storm?

We experienced intense storms the day before the hurricane, which heightened both our anxiety. Even going outside for her to relieve herself became unpleasant, and she tried to avoid it. The worst of it came overnight and in the early hours on Friday, when I worried about falling trees hitting the house. The cracking sounds, booming gusts, and debris hitting the metal roof were overwhelming. Pickles stayed very close to me, and I think we helped each other stay as calm as possible. She seemed a bit confused, but quickly adapted to life without lights at night. We skipped our usual walks and stayed close to home, spending our outside time fetching water from the creek for flushing, reading, cooking outside, and cleaning up debris. She did manage to expand her collection of sticks during this time!

You had an eventful year and moved to North Carolina relatively recently, took a new job and changed roles, and broke your foot and had surgery (with a long recovery), among many other twists and turns. How has Pickles been there for you through all of these changes?

I feel incredibly fortunate to have such a flexible, loving, and patient companion. I often apologized to Pickles, and she seemed to respond with a look that said, “We’re in this together. Would I like more fun? Yes. But I’ll be here to make you laugh and snuggle, too.”

How’s it been meeting Pickles’ needs during your recovery while prioritizing your own health?

It’s been a balancing act. During this time, especially during my recovery, I had to focus on a few things: 1. Ask for help. 2. Get creative. 3. Be forgiving to myself. 4. Try my best.

What’s your favorite thing about living with Pickles?

In another recent Instagram post that we absolutely adored, Rebecca wrote of Pickles, “The things she loves are exactly what my soul needs! Her happiness fills my heart, and I love her so much. When she’s happy, my spirit instantly lifts. Sometimes it’s hard to find the motivation to care for myself when I’m feeling low, but I can always rally for her. And every time I do, her joy brings me more happiness too. So here’s to catching sunsets together, squeezing in tug-of-war breaks between work calls, soaking up every moment of joy, and fully and unapologetically embracing fun whenever it appears!”

Pickles is a true delight, and the word that stands out most to me is “joy.” Her playful, goofy personality constantly makes me smile and laugh. She’s trusting and always up for anything—whether it’s a cozy snuggle, a fun brain game, or massive zoomies. She brings so much joy, gratitude, and energy into my life.

Tell us about one of the most interesting humans you’ve met through your dog account.

This is a tough question! Meeting Jess and Christie transformed my understanding of dog behavior. I was blown away by Alexis and baby Bunny in our first group course, and early friends like Leanne and Jude always made me smile with their stories about their large, picky eater. Learning from Amanda at Stone City Canine about compassionate care has been a highlight, and I even found a real-life close friend in Kristen and Kona. This community is amazing, and I’m so happy to be part of it.

What are you reading right now that’s not dog-related?

I always have several books on the go! Right now, I’m listening to Braiding Sweetgrass, which beautifully blends indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge about the relationship between humans and nature. I just finished Circe by Madeline Miller, a fantastic reimagining of Greek mythology focusing on a strong woman’s journey. I’m also enjoying Funny Story, which is delightful with its witty humor and engaging characters.

If someone in our community wants to get involved to help in the aftermath of the storm, do you have any resources that you can help point them to?

Thank you for asking! Donating money, resources, or time can make a huge difference. Monetary donations can directly support local organizations like BeLoved Asheville, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, and humane societies working on recovery efforts. There are also GoFundMe campaigns for local businesses and individuals facing serious challenges. Resource pages are available that outline organizations regularly sharing volunteer and donation needs. As winter approaches, many people still need basic essentials like generators, heaters, water filters, and propane stoves.