HEARTBREAKING: Dana Perino Gave Away Her Late Dog Jasper’s Collar to a Crying Boy Who Lost Everything in Texas Flood 🐾💔
She whispered, “He protected me… now let him protect you.”
HEARTBREAKING: Dana Perino Gave Away Her Late Dog Jasper’s Collar to a Crying Boy Who Lost Everything in Texas Flood 🐾💔
The Texas floods of July 2025 left Kerr County in ruins, claiming over 100 lives and shattering communities along the Guadalupe River. Amid the devastation, Fox News anchor Dana Perino, 53, quietly traveled to Boerne, Texas, to aid flood victims. Known for her composed presence on The Five and America’s Newsroom, Perino’s act of compassion—gifting the collar of her late dog, Jasper, to a grieving boy—touched millions, going viral on social media and revealing a deeply personal side of the former White House Press Secretary. Her whispered words, “He protected me… now let him protect you,” became a symbol of hope in a time of unimaginable loss.
The Texas Floods: A Community in Crisis
On July 4, 2025, torrential rains triggered catastrophic flash flooding in Central Texas, with the Guadalupe River surging over 26 feet in under an hour. The disaster killed at least 109 people, including 27 children and counselors at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp in Hunt. As of July 8, 2025, 10 campers and one counselor remained missing, and Governor Greg Abbott described the region as “horrendously ravaged.” President Donald Trump’s disaster declaration mobilized FEMA, but the scale of the tragedy overwhelmed local efforts. In Boerne, volunteers set up relief centers to distribute food, water, and clothing, while first responders searched for survivors amidst debris-strewn riverbanks.
The human toll was staggering. Families like that of Xavier Ramirez, who lost five relatives at a campground, and parents of Camp Mystic campers clung to fading hopes of finding loved ones. The community’s grief was compounded by controversies, including a Houston pediatrician’s firing over a vile post mocking victims and criticism of Kerr County’s lack of a flood warning system. Yet, amidst the sorrow, stories of compassion emerged, with Perino’s gesture standing out as a beacon of humanity.
Dana Perino’s Quiet Arrival
Dana Perino, a Wyoming native and former Press Secretary under George W. Bush, is no stranger to high-stakes environments. Her decision to fly to Texas was deeply personal, rooted in her small-town values and a desire to help. Unlike her Fox News colleagues Greg Gutfeld and Kat Timpf, whose relief efforts drew media attention, Perino arrived in Boerne without a news crew, intending to work quietly at a relief center. “I grew up in a place where you show up for your neighbors,” she later said on The Five. “This was about doing what I could, no more, no less.”
Perino spent hours sorting donations, distributing blankets, and speaking with displaced families. Volunteers noted her humility, with one telling Fox News, “She was just Dana, not some TV star. She listened to people like they were the only ones in the room.” Her presence, though understated, provided comfort in a community grappling with loss. But it was a chance encounter with a young boy that would define her visit and capture the nation’s heart.
The Gift of Jasper’s Collar
At the Boerne relief center, Perino met a 10-year-old boy named Ethan (name changed for privacy), who stood apart from the crowd, sobbing quietly. His family had lost their home, possessions, and their beloved dog, Max, to the floodwaters. Ethan, clutching a soggy photo of Max, told Perino how Max had been his “best friend,” sleeping by his side every night. The boy’s grief struck a chord with Perino, a devoted dog lover whose late Vizsla, Jasper, had been a constant companion until his passing in 2021.
Moved by Ethan’s story, Perino reached into her bag and pulled out a worn leather dog collar, adorned with a small silver tag engraved with “Jasper.” The collar, which she had kept as a memento of her beloved pet, was one of her most cherished possessions. Kneeling beside Ethan, Perino held out the collar and whispered, “Jasper was my protector. He watched over me through some tough times. Now let him protect you.” She placed the collar in Ethan’s hands, and the boy, tears streaming, clutched it tightly, nodding as if understanding the weight of the gesture.
A volunteer captured the moment on video, showing Perino wiping her eyes as Ethan’s mother embraced her. The clip, posted on X, exploded online, amassing millions of views within hours. Users called it “heartbreakingly beautiful” and “the kind of moment that restores faith in people.” The hashtag #JaspersCollar trended globally, with thousands sharing stories of pets and loss. One X user wrote, “Dana gave that boy more than a collar—she gave him a piece of her soul.”
Why It Resonated
Perino’s gesture struck a nerve for several reasons. First, it was profoundly personal. Jasper, dubbed “America’s Dog” by Perino’s fans, had been a fixture in her life, featured in her books and social media. Gifting his collar—a tangible link to a pet she still grieved—was a sacrifice that resonated with pet owners. “Anyone who’s lost a dog knows how hard that must’ve been,” one commenter posted. “Dana’s heart is huge.”
Second, the act transcended the political divisions surrounding the floods. While some, like the fired Houston pediatrician, fueled controversy with hateful rhetoric, Perino’s gesture was apolitical, focusing on a universal experience—love for a pet. It echoed other viral moments from the relief efforts, like Gutfeld’s donation of his daughter’s blanket, Timpf’s backpack of children’s items, and Perino’s earlier gift of a Bible to a grieving mother. Together, these acts painted a picture of Fox News personalities stepping beyond their roles to offer genuine compassion.
Finally, the simplicity of the collar amplified its impact. In a disaster that destroyed homes and lives, a small, worn item became a symbol of protection and continuity. Ethan’s reaction—clutching the collar like a lifeline—underscored its emotional weight. As Perino later reflected, “Sometimes, it’s the little things that mean the most when you’ve lost everything.”
A Ripple Effect of Kindness
The viral video of #JaspersCollar spurred a wave of action. Donations to Kerr County relief organizations surged, with many citing Perino’s example. Pet-related charities, like the Humane Society, saw increased support, with donors sending dog collars and toys to flood victims. A grassroots campaign, #CollarsForTexas, emerged, encouraging people to donate pet supplies in Jasper’s honor. “Dana showed us how a collar can carry love,” one organizer posted on X.
Fox News amplified the moment, airing the clip on multiple programs and launching a fundraising drive for flood victims. Perino used her platform to highlight ongoing needs, saying, “Ethan’s story is one of thousands. Keep helping, keep praying.” She also stayed in touch with Ethan’s family, offering support as they rebuilt. On The Five, she shared, “That collar was Jasper’s, but now it’s Ethan’s. I think Jasper would approve.”
Perino’s Legacy in Crisis
Perino’s actions in Boerne added depth to her public persona. Known for her professionalism, she revealed a raw, empathetic side that resonated with viewers. Her Wyoming roots—where community meant everything—shone through, earning praise from fans and critics. “Dana’s not just a news anchor,” one X user wrote. “She’s what we need more of—real, kind, human.”
The gesture also complemented her colleagues’ efforts. Gutfeld, Timpf, and Perino’s collective presence in Texas showed media figures could be catalysts for change. While some criticized the lack of a flood warning system or Senator Ted Cruz’s delayed response, Perino’s focus on individual stories like Ethan’s redirected attention to hope.
A Symbol of Hope
As Texas faces a long recovery, the image of Perino handing Ethan Jasper’s collar endures. For Ethan, the collar is a reminder that he’s not alone. For Perino, it’s a testament to Jasper’s lasting legacy. And for millions online, it’s a call to action—proof that even in the darkest times, a small act of love can light the way.
The hashtag #JaspersCollar continues to inspire, with users sharing pet stories and pledging support for Texas. As one post put it, “Dana didn’t just give a collar. She gave us all a reason to keep caring.”