Tampa Photography Blog

If you’re anything like me, my heart aches for people in pain. But when it comes to the defenseless, the small and the furry, I weep.

Hurricane Katrina not only destroyed the homes and lives of New Orleans residents but in some cases, it took from them important members of the family...their pets.

I adore my dog and can’t imagine leaving her during a disaster but that shows how desperate some folks became. Some left animals stranded in homes to drown, some let them out but then had to fend for themselves in flood waters and others tried to make it to a shelter that would take care of their beloved pets.

That’s love—swimming or walking through miles of water to reach dry land or a shelter, with a dog or cat in your arms and all of your belongings in a bag on your back.

One of the most organized and wonderful things that happened the week of Katrina was the mission to save these abandoned animals. It started with buses taking locals with their animals to a shelter so they could drop off their pets while they looked for loved ones lost in the storm. Some made it back to get them, some didn’t.

Louisiana State University allowed volunteers to use Parker Coliseum to house the animals and organize adoptions. With so many pets, it can be difficult to give each a little attention every day. Volunteers worried how to feed them on a daily basis but knew they also need love and attention. They had lost their owners and were stuck in crates and stables waiting to be processed.

Setting up a dog walking area was a hopeful stage of getting everyone’s lives repaired. A little normalcy did everyone some good.

I was so tempted to adopt a dog or two or three. I knew it wouldn’t end. I had an apartment in Shreveport, Louisiana, worked full-time and went out of town a lot so I knew it wasn’t the right decision.

I met Joyce and Clement who carried their dog, Tootsie, through flood waters to dry land to wait for a ride to a shelter. Joyce broke down when she finally sat and Clement tried to console her. Tootsie seemed unaffected, just a little thirsty.

I told them how sorry I was that they had to go through this. I felt awful for them and all I could offer was bottled water. But I admired their dedication and their committment to each other and Tootsie.