Many of you have called and emailed to ask how my last trip to New Orleans went.  I am sorry that I only wish to share it with you here, rather than tell the stories over and over again.  It was very sad and by the time I arrived for the second time, five weeks had already passed since Hurricane Katrina and the only animals who had a hope to still be alive were the ones who had gotten outside to forage for food and water.  The ones still left locked inside their homes (some even in cages) had died a slow painful suffering death from starvation and dehydration.  Also, many more animals were found that appeared to be shot to death (check out the last journal entry about how Pasado's Safe Haven is investigating and working with the Louisiana Attorney General to come up with the evidence to press charges and see that whomever did this is held accountable).  

I went out for three days on Search and Rescue missions but it could hardly be called a search and rescue anymore.  On my own search and rescue missions, only one Chihauhua  was found inside of a house, still alive - even though it was living in filth and feces everywhere, there was lots of food left and possibly someone had stopped by to leave water.  The rest of the dogs we found were all strays (and the fact that they got outside was their only saving grace that kept them alive for five weeks).

At another house, in a very middle class neighborhood (these were not some of the poverty areas we were in) - we found a dead dog in the garbage can and evidence that a second dog had been locked inside the house, although we found no body for that one.  Only feces everywhere and white fur all over the house.  We asked a neighbor if she knew anything about the dogs left behind at this house and she said she heard the white dog (a Spitz) barking and barking about two weeks after the Hurricane (residents had been allowed back briefly to check on their homes).  She says she called the SPCA but didn't know what ever happened.  We looked for a body through as many rooms of the house as we could, but not all of the rooms were accessible with the damage.  If the SPCA had been there, they would have spray painted a note on the house with the date to say they picked up an animal.  This made me very sad . . . especially since the neighbor told me these people owned more than one car and definitely had the financial means to bring their pets with them.  What really made me angry was that they didn't even bother to come back to check on their animals, if they had, maybe their little white dog would still be alive.  (not sure how long the other dog had been dead for).

On another day, which was especially emotionally brutal for me personally - I came across an empty house (the owners had since returned to remove all of their belongings).  Inside the house, was one of their dogs - still in its cage, starved to death.  There was a second dog laying on the floor, also starved to death.  I have never seen anything like this before in my life - and it made me literally sick to my stomach.  I had a face mask on and I videotaped these poor dogs, because it was so horrific that people would not even believe it.  These were people's pets . . . who trusted that their owners would come back for them and protect them.  Instead, they not only suffered a slow painful death of starvation (the one in the cage must have just been terrorized being trapped like that) - but to make matters even worse, the owners didn't even have the decency to bury their bodies when they returned for their belongings.  I will never, for the rest of my life, forget these two dogs.  I have to hope that they are in a better place now.  (if you would like to see the video footage of this, it is on my site under Video Footage, but please be warned, it is very disturbing and I don't recommend you look at it if you aren't prepared for what you will see).

On a lighter note - I decided that instead of flying back, I would keep my rental vehicle and drive back so that I could bring more rescue doggies home to Los Angeles.  (I brought one back on my last trip and very happy to say she has the most loving and perfect home for her with a couple who just adore her!)   It was 2,000 miles and a lot of stopping (to walk the three doggies I brought back) - but WELL worth it!  I can't even tell you how happy I am that I did this.  Maybe it is only three animals, but in some small way, if I can make a difference for these three - then as tiny as it is, it is something.  I couldn't save the countless pets who suffered and died in New Orleans, but I can make a difference in the lives of these three.

Here are their stories and how you can help each one.  Cody and Beau are in dire need of foster homes (not together) - and that is my most immediate and pressing need.  There are also quit a bit of medical bills that are piling up and any donations would be appreciated.  But really, if you can just circulate their pictures and stories, that would be the biggest help of all.  We need to find Cody & Beau a safe place to stay where they can feel welcome and loved.   

Muffin's Story

Cody's Story

Beau's Story