In a remarkable rescue effort that has sparked public interest, a small Chihuahua mix named Chili was saved from the Hudson River by a group of kayakers near Pier 26 after being missing for ten days.
The rescue was hailed by locals as a second “Miracle on the Hudson,” referencing the famous emergency landing of a U.S. Airways flight in 2009.
Gabby Porter, along with her partner Gianni Calistro, shared the emotional story of how their pet slipped out of his harness while they were leaving a restaurant in the West Village.
Describing the day Chili went missing, Gabby recalled, “He started backing up and wriggled right out of his harness. One second he was there, the next he was bolting across Hudson Street.”
Despite a frantic chase and after searching the area into the early morning hours, Gabby and Gianni were unable to locate their beloved dog.
The couple’s search intensified once they printed 200 flyers and began canvassing neighborhoods nearby, particularly along the Hudson River Park where they hoped someone might have spotted Chili.
By the second day of their search, they were relieved but tormented after locating security footage showing Chili on Pier 40, pacing and frightened but alive.
“It was a relief to know he was alive, but it was also torture. Every time we went to the pier — four days in a row — we just cried. It was traumatizing,” Gabby reflected, describing their emotional struggles.
For the ensuing week, the couple took extraordinary measures to locate their dog.
They upgraded their flyers with waterproof sleeves, promoted posts on social media, and even posted tearful TikToks about Chili, which garnered over 350,000 views.
The community responded with overwhelming support, with friends and even strangers helping to search for the missing pup.
However, their ordeal was not without its challenges.
Gabby received several cruel prank calls where callers taunted her, pretending to have harmed Chili.
Just as the couple was losing hope, they received a life-changing phone call.
A kayaker named Joe, who had spotted Chili in the river, reached out.
“This guy says, ‘I found your dog in the river,’ and I thought, please not another prank,” Gabby recalled, allowing herself a breath of hope when Joe sent a photo verifying that it was, indeed, Chili.
Chili was discovered trembling and exhausted, covered in black oil but miraculously alive.
The rescue unfolded as Joe and his friend were kayaking and noticed something bobbing in the water.
Initially doubtful, they ventured closer and were shocked to find Chili struggling to stay afloat.
“I jumped into an Uber so fast, but the traffic was crawling. It felt like forever,” Gabby recalled of her race to the rescue site.
When she finally reached Joe, Chili was in shock, yet somehow managed to show signs of recognition by licking Gabby.
Gianni captured the emotional reunion on video, a moment they had longed for after ten days of uncertainty.
Since adopting Chili six months ago, the couple had formed a deep bond with the small dog, whose disappearance had left them heartbroken.
At the pier, Sarah, a volunteer with the Downtown Boathouse, also played a role in rescuing Chili.
Flagged down by onlookers, she and nearby kayakers worked together to bring the frightened dog to safety.
Martin Sweeney, a board member of the kayaking program, described the teamwork involved, emphasizing the collective happiness of the volunteers in getting Chili back to his owners swiftly.
Upon arriving at the veterinarian, Chili underwent examinations and blood work.
The vet found him malnourished with injuries, including cuts on his paws and matted fur due to the oil.
Despite his rough condition, the vet expressed surprise at how good his overall health was.
Chili began receiving small meals to help him adjust to eating again after days without food.
“He’s already a slim guy, but now he’s like a little skeleton,” Gabby said, detailing their efforts to care for him properly.
How Chili ended up in the river remains a mystery, and Gabby noted they still do not know how he got into the water or how long he was there.
The couple is taking precautions to prevent a future escape, ordering a new triple-strap harness and a GPS collar for their adventurous pup.
“We’re not taking any chances. He’s staying right by our side,” Gabby affirmed.
While the kayakers who saved Chili prefer to remain out of the spotlight, Gabby expressed a desire to meet Joe someday, a gesture of gratitude she feels is deserved.
“Everyone was just happy to get him out safely. And reconnecting him with his owner so quickly was a great bonus,” said Martin Sweeney.
Looking back on the ordeal, Gabby highlighted the invaluable support received from the community, emphasizing how it kept their spirits up during a challenging time.
Reflecting on her many interactions with caring New Yorkers during the search, she smiled tearfully.
Now, at home in their Hell’s Kitchen apartment, Chili is nestled comfortably on the couch, enjoying the warmth and safety he longed for.
“He slept like a rock last night. Under the covers, above the covers — he’s always moving. But he’s home. He’s safe. That’s all that matters,” Gabby stated, content in the newfound peace and security of their family.
image source from：w42st
