Katrina Remembered

It's been a year since Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. I have had my head down just plugging through life and this one-year anniversary snuck up on me. I was laying in bed, listening to the radio and they were talking about “a year later”, which is the typical follow up on a disaster. This was far from typical for me.

It all came to a screeching halt August 29, 2006 1:00 a.m., the nightmares began; I was reliving it all, even a year later. Like I had never left, the smells, the heat, the barking, the looks in the people and animals faces…

Over the last year, I have spoke at conferences, was a guest speaker for two semesters of college students at a large state University, I have provided insights and observations and “the story” to many different audiences. The Story is always a bit different; its perspective is changed to accommodate the audience. The Story will never be the true perspective that I see in my dreams and nightmares, those I will keep by my pillow.

In my nightmares, there are several wonderful nightlights too. The Doodle Community was my backbone. They totally supported me and it is difficult to explain how very important that was in helping me get through the days and nights. My husband, Jeff, was void of my thoughts while in Louisiana, that was for my own emotional protection. I only allowed myself to think of him after I drove away from the rescue operation. My daughters are special nightlights too; I even missed one of my daughter’s birthdays while I was gone. But she understood, I think she knew that I was actually giving her a gift, the gift of seeing compassion for animals.

Beth

Please note: your dog may react to this videos' sound.

Doodle Owners Support Katrina Animal Rescue
The statistics of the efforts of the Doodle Community.

Big Brown Eyes of Katrina
A few of Beth's personal accounts of the rescue effort.