The devastation of Hurricane Katrina didn’t leave much in its wake for the residents of New Orleans to cling to for hope. The water destroyed countless homes and claimed far, far too many lives.

Ten days after the storms cleared, Lemont traveled from his refuge to the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in nearby Gonzales, LA. After losing his family’s home and all of their belongings, he was left with one shred of faith that their beloved pets, three dogs and a cat, made it through the tragedy alive.

The crew from World Animal Awareness Society captured the heartwarming moment he was reunited with one of the pups, Cleo.

He barely even recognized her at first, repeatedly saying how skinny she had gotten.