Author |
Message |
Ladytex
Member
09-27-2001
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 6:19 am
HE'S SAFE!!! Thanks to all of your prayers, Mark Schuler is alive and well and in Texas! I haven't had a chance to get the details yet, but wanted to let y'all know that my co-worker is wreathed in smiles this morning because her cousin is here.
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Prisonerno6
Member
08-31-2002
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 7:01 am
That's wonderful! It's such a relief to finally hear that another loved one made it through, isn't it?
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Max
Moderator
08-12-2000
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 7:51 am
Yeah! 
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 9:21 am
That's wonderful news!
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 10:33 am
Yay!!! <does a triple back flip!>

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Tess
Member
04-13-2001
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 2:50 pm
Yippeeeeeee!! <applauds Juju's acrobatic feat>
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Moondance
Member
07-30-2000
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 3:50 pm
That's great Ladytex! Throws a treat to Juju!
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 4:08 pm
I just got my daily update from my church on their hurricane relief. All I can say is WOW!!! Many of the churches in our area and businesses have chipped in and are helping. We got deliveries from Albuquerque, NM because someone in our congregation had a friend there and happened to mention via email what we were doing. Another nice surprise today was the arrival of four firefighters from central Florida who are now representing FEMA. They had been working in the Reliant Park/Astrodome area and have now been asked to visit others in the area who area aiding hurricane evacuees. They were extremely helpful and were very willing to answer questions and stay in contact with us. Bank of Texas has set up representatives at our church to get people started with checking accounts and stuff. One man after opening his account turned to one of the ministers and said, "I am feeling better every day." People are beginning to do the things they were used to doing before Katrina - banking, preparing a meal in an apartment or home, grocery shopping. Sometimes the mundane things we do each day are a welcome relief when life is in turmoil. I know yesterday when I said goodbye to some of my families we just hugged. They kept thanking me, but what they don't realize is they have given me so much more than they could ever know. New Orleans will be fine. It will be rebuilt. The people I have met these last 12 days are wonderful examples of the spirit of New Orleans.
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Moondance
Member
07-30-2000
| Monday, September 12, 2005 - 5:28 pm
Dear Members & Friends, Today begins the third week of our hurricane relief effort, so here's a brief round-up of where things are at: RESCUE TEAMS: Best Friends currently has four rescue teams operating in New Orleans, either in boats or trucks. The water is beginning to recede, but the water operations are critical to getting to as many as possible of the animals who are stranded before it's too late. Typically, we finish the field rescues at sundown, and then go to the Westbank Animal Shelter to pick up animals brought in by Jefferson Parish Animal Control, and then head up to the St. Francis sanctuary, about 100 miles north of the city, with a total of 50 to 80 dogs and cats at the end of each day. The teams often don't get in until 1:00 or 2:00 a.m., and are back on the road first thing. TYPICAL RESCUE: It's tough going. One day last week included an expedition to a hi-rise apartment building. Truck into the city until the road turns to water. Then unhitch one of the boats and go waterborne to the next piece of dry land. Then carry the boat through streets to the next water area, and then boat to the apartment building. Go through the building, apartment by apartment, according to where we've been asked to look for cats and dogs. And then, with about 25 dogs and cats in hand, do the same journey in reverse. It's slow and laborious, but these animals can't wait for the water to recede. They've been alone now for more than two weeks. ST FRANCIS SANCTUARY: The sanctuary out of town is now a fully functional emergency shelter, with a Best Friends staff of 13, 3 vets and 3 vet techs, and about 50 volunteers on any given day. Some are caring for the animals. Others are building more shelter, as we expect a sudden escalation of animals in great distress when the waters recede further and trucks can reach more of them faster. They'll need very special care, and we'll be ready. One person, who had recently been visiting Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, arrived at St Francis, saw the new dog runs with lots of happy dogs, and said, "Wow, it's like Best Friends Dogtown here!" REUNIONS: The first reunions between pets and families have begun. The folks at the sanctuary say it's a wonderful thing to see. One man who came to claim his cat, said he had no home to take him to, so he's working at St Francis as a volunteer for a few days. RELIEF FUND: We've collected more than $1 million for the Hurricane Relief Fund so far, and are spending it mostly onsite in the rescue efforts and the work at St. Francis. It's a huge blessing and much appreciated. NEEDS & OFFERS: We're putting together a web-based system which will enable you to indicate precisely how you'd like to participate. This will save lots of time all round. The needs will grow as the days and weeks pass. So please keep in mind that we may want to take you up on a particular offer in days to come if not immediately. REPORTS: Watch for Cathy Scott's reports in the Best Friends on the Frontlines section of the hurricane special report on the website. Cathy is a journalist, volunteering her time with us in New Orleans, and writing up her experiences several times a day. She just called me to say that SNAP, the spay/neuter organization, just showed up there with their big mobile clinic to start fixing the furry refugees who need it. (Hmm, lots of them need it!) MEDIA THANKS: Many thanks to all the major media who have covered the work of Best Friends. In particular, Fox News, which has been out with us in the boats and included Best Friends in many of their shows and reports. And also the Salt Lake Tribune, which spent a day with us on the boats and did a front-page article on Saturday. Too many others to include here. It's all on the Best Friends website at www.bestfriends.org. Look for the continuously updated Hurricane Special Report. Everything you see there is made possible by you. And the animals really appreciate it! Thanks, again, Michael Mountain and all of us.
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Moondance
Member
07-30-2000
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 6:02 am
I need a favor... Cowboy is going to Mississippi today!!! A friend of ours runs a huge ranch and the owner is so generous!!! One of the employees has a family right outside of Gulfport and lost everything. So he is paying for a big truck to be delivered with goods, money, supplies EVERYTHING and our friend and Cowboy is driving it down there. Of he has orders to pick up any homeless animal he sees They are also taking chainsaws because the roads are impassable where they are going. FEMA or the red cross has not even shown up yet. Another reason they are going. So if you could just keep them in your thoughts and prayers for a safe trip, that would be great! When he checks in I will check in here, They are going to take a lot of pix too!
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Heyltslori
Moderator
09-15-2001
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 6:15 am
I will definitely keep him in my thoughts and prayers Moonie! And you too! You are both wonderful people. 
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Schoolmarm
Member
02-18-2001
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 6:27 am
Moonie....make sure that they have a permit. I heard that last week unauthorized vehicles were not allowed south of (perhaps) Hattiesburg. Probably due to impassible roads. I know that some trucks were sent on to other locations. Maybe someone in Mississippi or nearby can update my old info!
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 6:31 am
Sending positive vibes Cowboy's way!!!
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Moondance
Member
07-30-2000
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 6:44 am
Thanks Lori, Annie and Marm! Marm that's a great point and I think they do have something... Cowboy is also a Major in the Airforce and taking all his ID's We are leaving in a few minutes.... I am excited and nervous!
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Karuuna
Board Administrator
08-31-2000
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 6:58 am
What a sweetheart! I'll keep him in my prayers! 
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Mocha
Member
08-12-2001
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 7:00 am
Ride em Cowboy!!! See if he can swing some of those pets up my way. 
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Babyruth
Member
07-19-2001
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 7:38 am
Yay, Cowboy! Sending positive vibes to him and to you too, Ms. Moondance! 
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 8:03 am
A note from an acquaintance here in town: But--I did go into our local animal shelter and I spoke with the people there. They had put up flyers around town stating that they needed goods to take care of pets from the flood. Today they told me that they did NOT receive any pets. They had been notified from the Humane Society in San Antonio that SA would be bringing pets here to NB, but at the last moment someone in SA donated a warehouse so the Humane Society had a single place to care for all the animals they had there. BUT--our society here sent all their extra crates, cleaning supplies, etc to the warehouse to help out. So they are still accepting donations and will relay the donations up to the warehouse as they come in. Our town defied the Mayor when he wanted to shuffle everything down the street to SA!
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 8:04 am
Go Cowboy!
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Moondance
Member
07-30-2000
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 9:50 am
I can't believe they are on the way! They are so excited. Here are some pix. The truck was packed. Tools, generators, clothes, school supplies, towels, pet food, lots of human food... the list goes on! Marm, I talked to our friend and I guess they are going to get a sherrif escort when they get to Jackson, Mississippi Whoohoo! Cowboy will get out of the truck need be in uniform 
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Moondance
Member
07-30-2000
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 9:51 am

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Moondance
Member
07-30-2000
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 9:51 am

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Moondance
Member
07-30-2000
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 9:52 am

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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 9:53 am
Yay Cowboy and friends! I'm sending out lots of positive thoughts for ya'll Moonie!
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Moondance
Member
07-30-2000
| Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 9:53 am
I say that truck is big enough for a few homeless animals
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