They say cats have nine lives.

But when two Alaska teachers witnessed their house collapsing into a river, they feared the worst.

The house, along with almost all of their possessions, was lost immediately after glacial flooding overflowed the river beside their home. Leo, their black-and-white cat, was nowhere to be found.

Elizabeth Wilkens said that part of her held out hope that if any animal could survive the disaster, it would be Leo. The cat, she said, was brave and never even feared the bears he would see from time-to-time.

“I knew that he’s pretty smart, and so I felt pretty confident that he would escape and be OK somewhere,” she said. But as days went past with no Leo, the worry started to creep in.

Elizabeth and her partner, Tom Schwartz, had only been living in the home for a few months before the flood. Both were on a biking trip in Oregon, when friends called to warn them their house was in trouble.

Because of melting from Mendenhall Glacier, a massive amount of water was released and eroded the river bank.

Leo the cat was found healthy 26 days after the home of Elizabeth Wilkins and Tom Schwartz collapsed into the swollen Mendenhall River in Juneau, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Wilkins

Sadly, several homes were destroyed, some damaged. Video of Elizabeth’s and Tom’s house went viral due to the dramatic nature of the collapse.

The couple quickly made their way back to Juneau and began looking for Leo, while also trying to find a new place to live.

They returned to the site of the house, calling out Leo’s name and leaving food for him in the chicken coop.

“It was kind of a terrible feeling, actually. Like I was failing him somehow,” Elizabeth said.

Friends and strangers alike helped the couple look for him. There were multiple false sightings, she said, but no Leo.

Until 26 days later. Tonya Mead, a Juneau resident, had found a cat and posted it to the community Facebook page.

“I just started walking down the street calling for him, and he just ran out and was like, ‘Oh hey, here I am, you know, like, where have you been?'”, Tonya said.

Elizabeth said as soon as she saw the post, she knew it was Leo and rushed to meet with Tonya.

Surprisingly, Leo was in great health.

“Leo was a little thinner, but otherwise totally fine,” Elizabeth said. “He (immediately) ate four cans of tuna and went outside to kill a mouse. I imagine that is how he survived.”

Elizabeth Wilkins said she remained “pretty confident” that her confident and savvy cat Leo had survived the elements during the nearly month-long search for him across Juneau, Alaska. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Wilkins

Despite the loss of their home, having Leo back is amazing, the couple said.

“It’s super joyful because everyone in their community was looking for him, and it’s nice to have some good news,” Elizabeth said.

I could not stop laughing and smiling.”

The couple both recognize how lucky they, and Leo, are.

“The day of the flooding, it was beautiful outside — gorgeous,” Elizabeth said. “Our house was 180 feet away from the river, and it wasn’t a flood zone. … It’s amazing how quickly life can change in just a few hours.”

For a look at the lucky Leo, as well as the viral video of his home falling into the river, watch below.

Sources: CBS | Washington Post