Trailer Park Rescue

Where are all the animals still trapped you wonder?

Lacey and I stumbled on this trailer park during our second rescue trip to NOLA. We were out trapping/rescuing for ARNO when we came across this badly devastated trailer park. At this location, we were able to rescue 4 cats. Dusk was falling as we were leaving and a pack of dogs showed up as well.

The destruction in places like this is so bad that owners can not return, and as a result, there is no one in this neighborhood to feed and water the animals on a regular basis. When this area is bulldozed, these animals will lose their home. In addition, since most animals have not been spayed or neutered, the dogs and cats that live here are likely breeding new pups and kitties and causing the problem to grow exponentially.

Think of this when you're reading the words of Wayne Pacelle at the Humane Society (HSUS) or hearing the denials of LASPCA that the problem is not a big one. Their denials and head turning continue to exacerbate the problem and make the lives of independent rescue groups more difficult.

So next time you're planning to donate to HSUS or SPCA, remember where they were when the chips were down...unavailable for comment or rationalizing their shut down of operations months before the problem was truly under control.

And then ask yourself why federal money (Congress) did NOTHING to help animals during this horrible disaster. Can someone please define "civilized" society to me?

Honoring a good man

There is a new star tonight shining brightly from the heavens. To the man who gave me my start in California and supported me from the beginning until long after I was gone..."We're not selling Hula Hoops here, people!"...Mike Mott, you were a great boss, leader, friend and person; you will be greatly missed.

(This has nothing to do with animals or animal rescue or New Orleans, but had to be said.)

A Salute to Katrina Volunteers

On yesterday's Oprah show, Oprah honored many Katrina rescue workers by being on her "Favorite Things" show. While I was bummed at first that I missed my opportunity to submit our story, as I was watching, I was reminded of some important things.

All of us, those who were named and those who were not, did something good because our hearts were big and our minds were determined. We were so moved by the horror of Katrina that we threw practicality to the wind and did something we felt was right. Nobody called us and told us to come, and in most cases, no one had time to respond to our inquiries about how or where we could help. A great number of us went blindly, and held fast to the belief that our help would be needed.

That ideal, that I could be useful and do something to help others, was what fueled me. I believe it was also the driving force for the mass grassroots rescue effort as well. And make no mistake, without all those people that threw caution to the wind--the people who took part in an extraordinary volunteer effort--the rescue and relief work in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath would not have been so successful. This is especially true for the pet rescue and relief (which is still on-going--don't believe the stories that tell you otherwise), but was not limited to just animal rescue.

In the midst of devastation and disaster, there were all these angelic grass rooters around that were being useful and helping others. It was a sea of compassion. So many different people from such varied backgrounds were bound together by a burning need to help. There was something special about seeing people in their real element, unburdened by the ego of who they were based on their job, education or ethnicity. It was a great leveling of humanity AND resulted in accomplishing great things.

WHY? My answer: Love, compassion, goodness and kindness. We proved that we don't have to destroy, damper, damage or darken to make important changes in the world. We simply showed up because we knew people and animals were in need of help, and we believed that if we wanted to help, we could.

So many miracles happened in the wake of such great tragedy. Let's not miss out on the most important lessons we've learned.

Katrina Dogs Needing Adoption

Here are two more dogs available for adoption from the animals we rescued in New Orleans. The first dog is a black lab named Willow. She is just the sweetest thing you have ever seen. She was sick and malnourished when we got her, but after a few weeks of care from Lacey and her Mom, Willow is thriving. She now runs around with the other dogs and acts 5 years younger. Willow is about 8 years old and needs someone who will love her through her older years. She will make someone a very happy companion...and she's great with kids and other dogs! The second dog is a brown and white pit mix named Gracie. Gracie's rescue can be seen on the video link to the left side of this page. Gracie is very friendly and loveable and doesn't have a mean streak in her! She is good around both people and other dogs. Gracie, bless her little heart, was able to convert a die-hard Lhasa apso owner into a pit bull lover! (Lisa, no names mentioned!) Gracie will definitely light up any home she is sent to.

These animals owners have not returned, nor have they claimed their animals. As such, the dogs are considered foster-to-adopt dogs. Please either contact CAT (ce_buell@yahoo.com) or Lacey at the Humane Society of Dickson County. All animals are available for immediate adoption.

Animals for Adoption (immediate)

WE NEED HOMES!

We are survivors of Hurricane Katrina and we are in need of loving people who will adopt us and give us life.

Currently, we are in a kill-shelter in Tennessee and sadly, other animals are being put down to continue making room for us to stay there. The sooner we can be adopted, the fewer animals that will have to be euthanized in our place. Save us, and you will be saving other lives as well.

To adopt either (or both!) of us, please either post a with your interest to this blog, or email CAT (ce_buell@yahoo.com) OR call the Humane Society of Dickson County: 615-446-7455.

(To see clearer photos of us, please look at CAT's photo album:DOGS THAT NEED ADOPTION)
Doggie #1: black/white Australian cattle dog mix, approx. 7 years old, was raised with an Australian shepherd (already adopted out), and is good with other dogs.

Doggie #2 (Betsy): doberman/dashchund/beagle? MIX!! Very sweet dog that LOVES attention and is good with other dogs, sucker for love! Female about 5 years old.

Please give us a good home...

The current situation in NOLA

Having just returned from NOLA, I can tell you that there is still a need for volunteers there. The situation has changed significantly since the rescue days of September and early October, but the need still exists.

The major animal organizations (HSUS, ASPCA, etc.) have pulled out, and the smaller 'official' rescue groups are being primarily staffed by grass roots volunteers. In my opinion, the success of pets rescued and reunited thus far has been because ordinary people felt the need to come help, and DID, despite not having training, money, or an invitation to do so. Certainly, this is the case now. Every volunteer I met was there because they felt compelled, not because anybody called them up and told them to go. And by doing so, we were all able to make a difference down there.

The situation is this: Many animals who either escaped from their homes or were set free are still running the streets. The companion dogs have started to run in packs with dogs who were stray before the flood. Cats who were pets are now wild and running scared. Getting them, RESCUING them, is just not as easy as it was. The effort now is focused on feeding and watering animals throughout the city, and now, trapping in certain areas that animals have grown accustomed to.

The problems are: There are still not enough volunteers down there to help feed, water and trap. Some days there are 10 people, some days there are 2. After all this, we're going to let the animals starve because the big rush is over? God, that pains me greatly. And now, the even greater issue is that Governor Blanco has blindly issued a "Stop Rescue" order for Louisiana. By her order, no out-of-state vets are allowed to come in to help this situation, and they have asked all people to STOP FEEDING AND WATERING ANIMALS. (Is this woman smoking crack?)

WE MUST NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!!

We think we live in a civilized country and yet this elected politician makes a unilateral decision TO LET PETS DIE and has spurned offers from licensed animal doctors who would help save pets and help sterilize animals so that they are not producing an even greater animal population in New Orleans. After all we've been through to rescue people and animals, and to help the city get its feet back on the ground, they are ASKING for another problem? Brilliant.

So, if you are reading this....DO SOMETHING. Don't just sit there and feel bad. If you can get to New Orleans to help, GO! Try to get other people to go. Talk about it at work, at soccer games, at the gym. Make it known that there is still a problem. And WRITE TO THE GOVERNOR THAT HAS NO HEART, BLANCO.

If ill-informed, poor decisionmaking lawmakers such as Blanco continue to make bad decisions, it is up to the grass rooters to stand up and make a difference. We could picket her house and tell her what a moron she is for making such ridiculous decisions, but instead, let's just SAVE THE ANIMALS.

After being there TWICE now, I can tell you there is a need. I will blog about my trip soon, I promise....but for right now, I am begging every person reading this to STAND UP and MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Animals are dying now and you can help!

As David Meyer has said...JUST SHOW UP. How many times in your life do you get to really make a difference?

Struggling to Survive-THEN

Pix of Loot THEN

Time Heals Some Wounds-NOW

NOW
Just 5 weeks ago, "Loot" was rescued from a home in New Orleans, where he'd been left behind in a home by rescuers that had missed him when they took his parents. He was malnourished, disease-ridden and scared. He could barely stand on his back legs and wasn't quite sure how to walk yet. His body was covered in mange, flea bites, and abcesses, but he had survived a hurricane, a flood and being mistakenly orphaned and still he did not die. No, this little guy was strong.

We took him to Tennessee, feeding him mashed potatos from an MRE to fatten him up, and then smothered him with more food, attention, and of course, LOVE. In the weeks after my departure, Lacey continued to spoil him rotten, even carting him around on her hip as she did laundry or letting him sleep on her lap when she balanced the check book. At night he socialized with her 6 other dogs and learned how to act like a dog. During the day, he followed her to the Shelter and played amongst the shelter's permanent animals as well. Within weeks, everything in his little life changed.

When I finally saw him again last week, I was amazed to see the life that had been breathed back into him. Gone were the protruding ribs, the mange and the skinny belly, replaced by a healthy and very spoiled little pup. And after all our little "Loot" has been through, he's proved that he is one very strong little survivor.

Yes, there are good stories to be told, and I'm happy to tell this one.