Lisa's Blog - Katrina Trip

If you are new to this blog....

2005-10-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

Here's the deal. This is my online diary of an incredible journey. You can read the postings below, just know they are in reverse date order (most recent first), so you could always start at the bottom and work your way up...or be like those people who read the ending of a book first. Whatever works, I'm just glad you are taking a minute to check this out. Ok, it will take more than a minute. I have happy pictures, and I have pictures you wouldn't want your kids to see, let alone viewing them yourself. Those are in the links off to the side. One of my most recent posts has a video link - I think you need Real Player to play it.

This adventure wouldn't be complete without my primary "team", people I have met, and I hope to call friends for a lifetime. It feels like it right now anyway...we're talking daily, and you don't even want to know how many emails transfer across the country in our attempts to keep communication about "our animals" going...anyhow, the follow-up care of the animals we worked with is a great deal because of Lacey, Humane Society Exec. Director in Dickson Tennessee. Lacey has no time for a blog, she's "technically challenged" by more than 200 emails a day, and a computer that must have been built in the 80's. She also has issues like spaying/neutering, and heartworm treatment first and foremost on her mind. Arnie & Robert, if you are reading this, your money has gone to these treatments. Thank you. Eric is the "leader" of our group, go to a link on the side for his blog connection - I can't say enough good things about this person. He has a heart of gold, and a true desire to help. Also gets about 200 emails a day many of them owners begging him to help them find their animals because they are "misplaced in the sytem". Get me offline if you want to know more about the major screw-up our animal welfare agencies made on the Katrina disaster. And then, there's Catherine, gifted writer and artist, her blog link is also on the side. You can read more about her there. She's a special lady, and thankfully, has some great connections with folks in LA who are willing to adopt, give $$, and all the other good stuff that's needed for a story like this. There are others too! Matt & Suzanne are both NOLA residents who helped with rescue, but also continue to be out contacts there helping distribute flyers, interview owners, etc. Matt couldn't thank us enough for coming to help--that was really nice to hear. Many others, but that's the primary team. Thanks for visiting!

New video

2005-10-29T10:35:00.000-07:00

This one almost found himself on a plane to Seattle while we searched for his owners...but Bruiser probably wouldn't have liked that very much. Thanks to Dogs Life Productions for filming the clip, and thanks to Eric for sharing.

This video will play in in Quicktime if you put it in your browser.
Video: https://home.comcast.net/~dogslifeproductions/NOLA/ericrice.html

Another Match!

2005-10-14T23:11:00.000-07:00

Up to the minute news on a Friday evening...another match is made and Marcel is reunited with his owner. Pictures to be posted soon!

Good video footage...

2005-10-11T21:40:00.000-07:00

www.donrudolph.net/movie.wmv

This was great- this is "Gracie" a Pitt bull terrier we pulled from a bathroom. This was one of the fortunate cases where we didn't have to go inside the house--I wish I could impart the smell to you though -the mold, the dampness, the stench. You see me looking off to one side and that's to grab my breath, because that room really stinks, and not just because of the dog. My thanks to Eric for filming, and to Don (technical genious who has saved my *** many a time) for helping get this on tape. We're hoping this might get used in a future documentary!

More amazing pictures from New Orleans

2005-10-07T18:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.michaellohrphotography.com/katrina/html/home.htm

Thanks, Eric for sending these on - folks, these are mostly pictures of the devastation of the homes and city...only a few animal related. View these, and you wonder how on earth they will ever be able to re-build.

10/5/05 Ongoing Updates

2005-10-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

A FEW PICTURES ARE NOW AVAILABLE. Link off to the side called "PICTURES". Here's a start, stay tuned for more. Also, I encourage you to continue to go to Eric's blog, and I just added a new link off to the side for another person's blog on his experience with animal rescue efforts, David.

10/3/05 Sign this online petition!

2005-10-03T16:40:00.000-07:00

those wanting to help animal recovery efforts in future disasters, please go here to sign the petition.

"Don't Abandon Pets in Disasters" petition at
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/256230705.

10/3/05 Returning Home

2005-10-03T15:10:00.000-07:00

It's very strange to be home...that's the sentiment I'm getting from other rescuers, and certainly my own feeling. There was still so much to be done, so many more opportunities for rescue. Thankfully, there are still people going to the area and the efforts will continue, but I'm hearing that it is becoming more difficult for the rescue operators because the police are beginning to tighten down on access to homes. A week ago, the day after Rita, I managed to talk my way into New Orleans without any difficulty - now police are stopping you if you do not have the appropriate credentials. Holding rescuers back means many more animal lives will not be saved. They are still out there, holding on with an incredible will to live.

So I wasn't really prepared for the psychological let down of returning home and returning to work, and getting "back to normal". I knew it was going to be an incredible experience, but I'm still not sure I know ultimately what this event will mean in my life. Was it a one-time shot, or can I do something with what I've learned, can I move toward something greater? Will it change the way I look at life, and the value I place on they way I live, work, the things I do, how I spend my time?

Overall, I'm exhausted. I miss the team of rescuers that I had been working with. I miss the feeling of making such a difference in peoples lives. I miss the dogs...and even the kitties. I know they are all in good hands, I just hope our efforts land them in the best possible scenario, and I pray that the majority of them can be reunited with their owners once they are able to care for their animals again.

I'm hearing reports of animals being euthanized without good reason. and there are confliciting stories as to when resuce efforts will end and what will happen to the animals saved. I guess that's something I have had a hard time conveying to everyone - how messed up the "system" is, how lousy the coordination is between the agencies, and how millions of dollars of donations were wasted. Go to www.ericsdogblog.com for some hints as to the frustrations of dealing with the large national organizations (link to the side).

Keep reading back here-I'll be posting more because little brother Jeremy only posted the basics while I was on the road. Pictures and video footage hopefully will be added too.

I want everyone to know how an experience like this can affect your life--do something this extraordinary, and you can't help but experience other "shifts" in your foundation.

10/3/05 Sky - the big cat gets back to James!

2005-10-03T09:26:00.000-07:00

hey everyone- Here's a message I received from one of the folks reunited with his cat:

Hi, we got Sky back to Little Rock ok. Can't tell you how much we appreciate your work in feeding/rescuing the left behing pets in New Orleans. My daughter has already put some comments on the NOLA web site. I hope the attaached picture comes through. I'm new to the digital picture thing. If it doesn't, send me your address and I'll mail you the picture. Again, thanks for getting Sky back to us. Buzz

9/30/05 Last Day Rescue Effort

2005-09-30T11:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was spent going around the town of New Orleans, taking videos and helping with the rescue effort. Our first stop was at a home where a dog was acting aggressively when members of our team approached him previously. We had only been able to leave food & water for him. Then we noticed he had one had one arm through his collar and around his neck, so this dog had to be terribly uncomfortable. We had to tranquilize him in the morning and come back a little later to pick him up. When we came back we had 5 of our team there to get him. He was initially under the house, then ran into the back yard, and under the fence. He gave chase for about 6 blocks, in the sweltering heat, I might add. Finally we had him cornered in another back yard, and we had a make shift catch pole to try to grab him. I had to run back to get the truck, and when I got back to the place where they had the dog, we had a New Orleans cop there who was very surprised to find three women trying to catch this dog - He looked pretty surprised to see me whip that Budget rent a truck in front of the home. We managed to get the catch pole around the dogs neck, load him in a crate and get him in the truck. The guys were back on the other street chatting it up with some folks who had seen other animals. This happens all the time...you set out on one mission, get side-tracked because you find there's a need for you to pick up or feed & water other animals in the same area. They are everywhere. The dog we caught, was very aggressive towards us when he was in the crate, but we got him to the vet, who cut the chain off, and while I wouldn't say he's the sweetest thing I've ever met, he's at least approachable and doesn't lash out at us when we get to close to the crate.

Next mission - leaving food & water for a bunch of lab mixes who are running loose - pack-like, but they seem to return back to one home. Then we happened upon another rescue team who had found a dog locked up in a house, and had been there since Katrina. This one is exciting because I have video footage showing the whole rescue. I'll try to get that loaded shortly. I'm calling the dog "Gracie" --she was just so wonderful when we got her out, so grateful, and loving. Yes, another pit bull, without any sign of aggression toward people or other dogs. But one heck of a neck chain on her. She somehow survived in this bathroom probably because of the owner having left behind water in the bathtub, and a bucket or two of food. That and she must have eaten her own feces. We took her out, and she's going to be fostered in Tennessee until the owner can be located and can take her back.

While we were loading Gracie in the truck, along came a pack of chow mixes running in a pack. Other than looking a bit scruffy, they seemed to be getting along in terms of getting food. They would not come to us, and that isn't a good sign. Eric has been asking for traps (from HSUS, SPCA) to get these kinds of dogs since very early into this game, and they've never arrived. This is a dangerous situation because people are beginning to return to the area, and these dogs will eventually turn people aggressive.

Today I spent the day running the kennel, which was no easy feat. Essentially I had an area under the trees, with a tarp overhead, and about 15 animals to care for. The camp was completely disorganized, so those of you who know me know that didn't last long. I managed to set up different stations for cleaning, feeding, and water, bathing, etc. I could almost find everything I needed. The only trouble with the day was the heat & humidity. Although the day took an interesting turn late afternoon when the bikes showed up at the pit stop. All of a sudden I found myself giving tours of the kennel, turning into a PR person, collecting donations and writing down possible foster/adoption possibilities, as well as educating some of the kids about handling the dogs (no I didn't give them a pitt bull to play with).

I haven't been sleeping easily...I can't find a comfortable spot, and my mind is just racing because of so many needs everywhere. At this point I had one hot shower, otherwise bathing consisted of soap and a 5 gallon jug of water dumped over my head.

9/28/05 Wednesday

2005-09-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

Today Lisa spent the day as dispatch and camp manager. She has 12 dogs, 3 cats, a newborn kitten, a rooster and a cockatiel.

As she mentioned before the process of collecting animals is very political and agenda driven. There are some agencies that do not seem to have the same goal of reuniting animals with their owners wherever appropriate, and quickly. Shipping the animals off to far off places reduces the possibility of that animal ever returning home, but many foster homes will be needed...and there are so many animals that it will be necessary for many of them to go even possibly back to Seattle. This involves finding foster homes across the country for the animals at the camp. For anyone worried about the rooster, he is headed for a new home in Tennessee--we'll go ahead and scan him for a micro-chip...but that's highly unlikely. In fact, most of the animals do not have any ID or microchips. Tonight no pit bulls or rottwielers, and a lot of really skinny lab mixes. We found a one day old kitten but we were unable to find the mother cat. We sent the team back to the house to find the mother and the mother and kitten are reunited and being fostered by a local family.
Our biggest problem of the day is cell phone coverage. It generally takes 10 calls before the call goes thru. Hopefully we can get the news agencies to make some kind of comment about limiting cell phone calls to only necessary calls.
It’s been 5 days since a real bath or shower. Bathing consist of a sponge bath in the sink of the local tavern, THE PIT STOP! By the way The Pit Stop happens to be the hot spot in town on Wednesday nights, tonight. Lisa said it was an adventure to have 50 people show up on motorcycles to visit the camp kennels. The fortunate this is that a few of the bikers gave additional donations, as well as possible foster homes. Oh, and a nice lady, Coni, offered to take anyone into her home and give them a bed and a shower. Lisa was all by herself until 7, because one of the rescue teams blew a tire, and they didn't have the tools to fix it. turned out the "borrowed" the tools from an abandoned car - other rescue groups were with them to try to help fix it. Everyone else was still out on rescue calls. One of the real upsetting things we learned today, though, was about a visit one of our teams made to a local middle school. They appear to have been shot - some of them tied up with ropes from the hanging blinds, one that looks like it was trying to run away. These were cared for animals that evacuees left behind because they were told they could not evacuate with their animals. there are notes from the owners saying please, take care of her pets. At the high school we found a lot of animals that had drown, but over 20 animals that had been shot. We don’t know exactly who is responsible, but there are rumors it might be police. Watch the news for the report on this story - should be on CNN.
The rescue efforts are supposedly winding down --some rumors have indicated that we will be shut down for rescue efforts as of Friday. This means that we will no longer be able to break into homes to save animals. We are trying to spread the word, and put political pressure on the public, to allow more time. As a reminder, it’s been almost a month that these animals have been living on their own. Some of them are so withdrawn from people that they are now wild animals. Hopefully with a little attention we can get these animals rescued and get them to our campsite. The devastation of talking to the man who found that his own dog had been shot is deeply felt by each rescue worker, but this is compounded by the sad event of him handing over the bird in a birdcage because he no longer has a home to return it to, and can't take care of it right now. We've found a local foster family, who undertands that she may need ot eventually give the bird back to this man. There's still so much to do.

The group of people working together is really starting to form tight bonds - I expect we'll be able to stay in touch long after this effort, maybe this will bring about lifelong friendships.

(My thanks to Jeremy who initially wrote the high points just to get some news in your hands...I've updated with a few more details...LM)

9/27/05 hard work.

2005-09-27T23:23:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone..today was a good day. The time is flying by because we are incredibly busy, and still do not have enough qualified hands to help...sure more vets would be nice but there is a huge need just for people experienced with managing the daily care of animals especially the cleaning and feeding needs.

Complete disorganization is the best way to describe this situation. Heavy politics between the SPCA and Humane Society. Most volunteers are coming through these entities. Then there are the independents...some renegades and wannabe cowboy types. Teams from CNN and Animal Planet are riding with a few of the rescuers...no I'm not on TV yet.

IT'S HOT AND HUMID. And the dogs have fleas. For that matter, I think I do too now. I itch, therefore I scratch. And they stink bad and so many are super sick and emaciated. They are weak, but so happy to see us. And such will to live. Many people left here when they evacuated from Katrina thinking they would be back in 2-3 days. Now it's been 3 weeks, nearly 4. Not a happy ending for so many. Many left food and water...those are definitely the people I want to try to help reunite with their companions.

I'm a little wigged out because I have a burning sensation around my ankles. I think maybe I've gotten some of the mud or contaminated water on me. I can't think of anything but that - all I did to prepare for the trip medically speaking was to get my Tetanus shot, talk w/my doctor about a hepatitus shot, review my first aid info, and pack the best first aid kit I have. This is the hard thing about being with people who don't know you...it takes quite a bit for me to get to the point of tears, and in a situation like this, we're surviving in a real basic way...the last thing I want to do is be a burden on the team, and in particular Eric, so I need to figure this out on my own. But when you are in a strange situation, in a strange city, and the manner in which you would normally handle a situation like this isn't available to you, it's frustrating. I'll do the best I can with the ointment in the first aid kit, and let's hope I don't lose all my hair or something weird like that.

Today was good from the standpoint of them letting people back in to New Orleans because that means so many animals can be attended to by their owners. But it is slowing us down...traffic is bad. Many of the streets are impassable, and people are wanting to stop and talk to us. There's a great deal of appreciation. There's also a great lack of knowledge of the situation for the animals.

Today's happy story involved James and his (fat) cat...it was at least 25 pounds...met James and his dad at the airport to give them Sky the Siamese. James is fortunate...his place in the French Quarter wasn't hurt, except for the window we had to break in order to get the cat. We couldn't find Sky initially, so had to get the owner on the phone - wow, he's thrilled, and we'll coordinate a meeting to deliver his cat personally to him. This is great, because it means this cat won't go to one of the transfer stations or to Lamar-Dixie and we don't run the chance of this cat getting lost in this nightmarish "system". That even 2% of these animals get reunited with their owners will be a miracle.

99.9% percent of all businesses remain closed. If they are open, it's with short hours, which also slows everyone from doing anything. Grabbing a burger is truly a challenge.

We are expecting to do another rescue day tomorrow. This means Eric fielding a lot of calls, getting addresses and distributing them to the teams. There are folks in New Jersey who spend countless hours on the internet looking for people who are looking for their pets. We get the address, a description of the animal, and hopefully a phone number for the owner, then we set out to find the home and hopefully a live animals.

Tomorrow we may need to help at a medical trace station to help all those folks discovering their pets after all this time. More tomorrow...Good night.

9/25/05 Nothing could have prepared me...

2005-09-25T22:20:00.000-07:00

(Initial posting from the road...)
This will be short b/c I'm on a really small keyboard and it 12:30am...things start rolling early I guess. The trip down here was long 8 hour delay in Dallas because of Rita. I flew to Shreveport, picked up a rental car, then drove to Texarcana to exchange the rental car for a friend's truck. Then a long drive from Texarcana--caught 3-4 hours sleep in the back of the truck in my sleeping bag in alexandria, cause hotels are full from evacuation folks. Driving was a bit tense because of wind and all rhe debris on the road, and I didn't get on the right road--went back road rather than highway. A little scary. I arrived in N.O. today at noon...witnessed an incredibly long line of people ...maybe 1000... waiting for food supplies. Arrived in N.O. to a scene of destruction at what was the SPCA station for supplies and rescue coordination...and no one was there. Very eary and a little scary when you are by yourself. I loaded up crates, food and water and set out. Found two cats-very happy to see me right away. (added the rest after returning from trip...)About two hours after this I managed to meet up with Eric R & Lexie from NY back at the supply station. I hung around with them for the afternoon, following them on a couple of house calls looking for dogs. We stopped on one of the streets and met up with other rescuers, and immediately, I picked up a pitt bull and rottweiler, both very sweet, both really hungry. One has tags, though it's a rabies tag from 1993, and this dog looks like she might be all of 16 months old. I agree to camp with Eric's team...which is a parking lot next to the Rite Aid store and a bar called the Pit Stop. there are about 12-20 folks as part of this team - some are locals wanting to help out, everyone else is from far away and had to get here to help. Some have been to Lamar-Dixon, didn't like the politics/bureaucracy, etc. This group is more grass-roots in it's feeling. And wow, I'm out in the field already rescuing animals, then it's a group effort to get these animals fed, watered, assessed for vet needs. More than anything, they just want human companionship.

9/23/05 Almost ready to go to Louisiana...

2005-09-23T14:27:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone-

Thanks for finding me here. My hope is to be able to edit this page so you all can keep up with any news I am able to post for you, as well as pictures, maybe even videoclips. That I even have a blog now amazes me...it's only been three years since I first obtained a digital camera AND figured out how to upload pictures.

First, I need to say a huge thanks to everyone who has given me money for this trip- I have raised close to $2500. If you still want to contribute, I now have a PayPal button on this blog so you have an option for VISA/MC as opposed to check or cash. If you don't want to go that route, just send emails to me at the link on the side-bar, and let me know your pledge. I will get your emails as long as cell phone service is up & running for me, or if I can gain access to the internet while I'm there.

Ok, so what's the plan? I leave for Shreveport, LA tomorrow morning, 6AM from Seattle, and I should arrive in Shreveport around 2PM. That of course depends on Rita. American Airlines tells me the flight should be fine, just expect heavy rains and a bit of wind. Yeah, all that in a small plane, sounds a little scary. I feel I'm as prepared as I can be...but more than anything, I'm prepared to have to change plans, which is what everyone seems to be saying you need to do.

What will I be doing? I fully expect I will be doing a lot of the dirty work - cleaning kennels, maybe feeding or bathing animals, maybe going to Wal-Mart or Home Depot for supplies for the rescue teams, perhaps serving as a taxi service for vet staff needing to get around, or even for residents who are looking for their companions. I had to laugh at one interview of a volunteer who showed up in heels, and another volunteer who could only handle Yorkies. Don't worry, that won't be me. If it didn't come from REI, it's probably not going on the trip.

So a little more on this blog thing - I think there's a way you can be notified by email when changes/updates are made...now if you don't see updates (don't worry!!), it will be because computer access isn't available. I'll try to get updates sent out another way.

Thanks again everyone who helped me make this happen. With all the donations, I know we will make a great impact down there, and I'm really happy to be in a place to decide where that money will be best spent.