ARLINGTON, Texas  — From first responders coming to the rescue to health care workers working tirelessly in hospitals to save lives, heroes come from all different backgrounds, especially in times like this. 

Some people don’t consider themselves heroes until an emergency strikes and they have to act immediately. For Arlington native Dan Holmes, his heroism shined Monday afternoon when his Australian shepherd fell into a frozen pool. 

Holmes was in his backyard sweeping away at the debris from the snowstorm. Once he turned his back, his dog Cristi was drowning under a thin layer of ice. 

“I heard my wife screaming,” said Holmes. “I was startled. Like what is she screaming at? Then I saw Cristi in the pool.”

That’s when Holmes came to the rescue. He tested the thickness of the ice by slowly stepping on to it, but then he immediately fell right through.

“I was all in then. I got in and pulled her out of the water,” he said. “She is fine. She is by my side now. She’s healthy, she didn’t get frostbite, and I didn’t get frostbite."

For Holmes, there was never any hesitation or doubt that he wouldn’t jump in the frozen pool to save his dog. 

“I had no choice but to get in. There was no other choice but to do this. Our pets are like our kids,” Holmes said. “My kids are grown. These are our kids. There was no question about what I had to do there."

Holmes has lived in Arlington for over 50 years and has never seen a weather storm of this magnitude before. After what he experienced, he wants others to use extreme caution, especially when it comes to their pets.

“I want everyone to know to be careful if you have this situation. Watch your pets when they go outside. An accident can happen in just a fleeting moment," he said. 

In those trying moments, that’s when heroes step up.