Photo: "Hurricane refugee Valerie Bennett presses her face to her dog"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

GOTTA TELL YA, folks...

:rant:

There have been a few posts on DU from some cold-hearted bastards regarding pets and their owners in the wake of Katrina.

I understand that not everyone is an animal lover. I understand that freepers and other assholes like to lurk around DU and specifically seek out posts where they can go in, say something shitty, and wait for people to get upset. They're children, and they have some kind of chemical imbalance in their brains.

What I don't understand is the kind of mind that can look at this woman, and MANY like her, and talk trash.

Thank God those people still represent a very, VERY small percentage of the DU population.

:grouphug:



"Hurricane Katrina refugee Valerie Bennett, of Slidell, La., presses her face to her dog, Lady, after they were reunited at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005. She and her husband, Lorne, had to leave behind four of their pets when Lorne, a liver transplant patient, had to be evacuated in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, to a liver specialist for supervision. (AP Photo/John Amis) Email Photo Print Photo"

[fudge stripe cookays]

1. Ohhhh....what a sweet picture.

:loveya:

The only thing that ruins it for me is when people give their dogs stupid names like Lady. But I'm glad she's OK.

thanks for posting BEB!
FSC

[Left Brain]

38. awww, but look

at that SMILE on her little face. That's one happy Lady, even if it IS a schmalzy name.

[derby378]

65. We have a parakeet named Lady

Actually, her name used to be Larry when we thought she was a male. We just chose Lady because it was pretty close to what she was used to.

So, instead of Larry Bird, we have Lady Bird.

[Bluebear]

2. WONDERFUL! And I agree about the anti-pet posts.

Disgraceful! I would never leave my dogs. Never.

[Ladyhawk]

15. No one could make me leave my parrot, either.

Even my RW mother recognized that making people leave their pets was disgraceful.

[Jawja]

23. I would have a really hard time leaving my cat, too.

I don't know if I could do it.

[Der Blaue Engel]

3. Anyone who can't feel the same concern for animals as for people

...especially when it INVOLVES people, has a disturbing disconnect from empathy. I'm sad for those people (who lack empathy). (Nah. I'm not. I'm sad for their pets.)

[Ladyhawk]

17. I can understand valuing human life over animal life, but all life is

important. If Cuba can find a way to evacuate both kinds of life, then so can we.

As for myself, I would not leave behind my friend of eighteen years, Gabby the parrot.

[BronxBoy]

45. Sometimes

animal life is more valuable than some people's. I mean if I was in NOLA and had to choose between saving my dogs or Bush, Cheney would be President by now.

My wife, who was not a animal lover before we got married, would rather die than leave our 2 big goofy kids behind and so would I.

[Beaverhausen]

4. On Oprah yesterday was the story of a doctor who saved 50 dogs...

...19 cats and 2 hamsters. He stayed with them at a hospital in NO after everyone else was evacuated.

Matthew McConahey (sp?) came in and helped rescue them by boat and helicopter! It was great!

[Der Blaue Engel]

6. Thank goddess for the famous people using their influence

People may say they're doing it for publicity, but who the fuck cares as long as they're helping people. That's more than our government is doing.

[Marnieworld]

10. I never liked Julia Roberts' acting before

But I like the warm loving person I saw on Oprah yesterday. How many of us would love to help but we have jobs and lives that we can't leave or afford to leave to help? Celebrities have the ability and it doesn't surprise me that so many help. They respond as human beings wanting to help and realize that since they are the lucky ones that can they should. Publicity? AS if they need it.

[fudge stripe cookays]

55. I enjoyed Erin Brockovich

because I think that person showed through in the role.

FSC

[Marnieworld]

59. I never saw it

But maybe I'll give it a chance now.

[Marnieworld]

8. Did you see the oprah from the day before?

I was so moved by the moment that they found a young guy with his dog. He had the dog since he was 10 for 14 years and he and the dog had escaped NOLA together. He was finally after days at a place where they would bus him to a shelter but wouldn't allow the dog. He was sitting with his dog on the side of the road not wanting to be rescued because he would not leave his dog. Oprah's people rescued the dog and made sure they were later reunited. One story of love in this horrible tragedy but of so many other sad sad stories.

I have two dogs that I love like children. I am beyond depressed over all of this but its the dog stories that put me over the edge. Just seeing a headline about a dog waiting patiently by their dead owner on the side of the road sent me into the bathroom at work today in tears. The bond between people and their pets is real, deep and profound. For many people it is like a family member. To ask people to leave their friends behind admidst all of this other loss is so heartless. Please anyone who can remember the animals and try and help by donating to PETA and see if you can rescue any through North Shore Animal League. http://www.nsalamerica.org/

[Beaverhausen]

12. Yes - I had recorded them and watched both last night

:cry:

Oprah loves animals as well as people.

and celebrities are still people and they are lucky enough to have the means to help others.

I noticed not one of the celebs shown helping were republicans.

[BQueen]

48. If it was Matthew McConnaghay (sp?) - he's conservative

unless he had a recent change of heart.

He was wearing a massive red, white and blue corsage at the Oscars, maybe? they cut to him during anti-war statements and he was gnashing his teeth and looking livid.

[lukasahero]

14. "a dog waiting patiently by their dead owner "

This sums up why I am sick over the posters who say the people should just leave their pets - their pets won't leave them. Animals can be more loving than people. Some of us honor that.

Check out what HSUS is doing to resuce these poor creatures. http://hsus.org/

[kittenpants]

61. exactly....

It's heartbreaking. I'm not saying it's the same thing, but tell someone who doesn't love animals that they have to leave their baby when they evacuate and maybe they'll understand. That's how I feel about my pets. They can't take care of themselves so I can't leave them!

I've donated more money to hsus than to any other organization (not that I have all that much to give). Is that twisted? I care about the people too, but I feel like animals just need more help from us.

[Barack_America]

34. Well you're seeing one of the dogs he saved...

The Bennett's left their dogs under the care of Dr. Riopelle. He said he would take care of them and was true to his word, even though rescue officials were trying to get him (an anaethesiologist) to put the animals down...

Talk about a true hero...

New Orleans has General Honore

The animals have Dr. Riopelle and Snowball

[Beaverhausen]

36. really? Do you have a link to any stories about him?

I couldn't find any. thanks! :hi:

[Barack_America]

39. Here you go: Bennetts and Riopelle

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/12584490.htm

Sorry ladies, he's already married....I checked!

[Beaverhausen]

42. thanks so much. He deserves his own thread!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=4701258&mesg_id=4701258

[Dr Fate]

5. Pets & live stock have always been a mark of CIVILIZATION.

So this meat eating, dog & cat owing DEM is telling those Freeps to "get a brain."

[chookie]

7. Have you ever seen this painting?

It's by the master Francisco Goya, probably his darkest work, and the last painting before his death. Critics have said that it is the first modern painting.

I have always found it very moving. The panic of the small dog does so much to express the horrors and fear of war and catstrophe.

I thought a lot about this painting, seeing it relived in the faces of dogs on CNN.

I am an animal lover too -- that does not diminish my compassion for my fellow humans. I have been very moved by the plight of the animals, and the bitter choices survivors have had to make regarding their pets. I would have died before I would have abandoned my dogs.

Thank you for publishing the sweet photo. It is a precious moment captured in a very dark time.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

9. That's amazing...what a wonderful painting.

Thanks for posting.

:patriot:

[vicman]

19. Thank you

this needs to have its own thread.

[MisterP]

20. Steve Bell said a pic of Blair reminded him of that painting.

As to the blandishment-spreaders who scream about "sanity" and "humanity," I recall the expression "The more he boasted about his integrity, the faster we counted our silverware."

[nookiemonster]

11. I can't even imagine leaving my Mack cat behind.

I mean, really, what the hell?

[Dem Agog]

13. For every photo like this I cry...

For all the animals that were lost...

It hits me the hardest, the pet photos. They truly are the innocent and bewildered.

The babies and children all have fans... It's not like anyone thinks it's acceptable to abandon them or rip them away from their parents. Pets need fans, moreso even, because so many people marginalize them.

We have a dog and two cats. I don't have children, so that's no doubt part of it. But the thought of losing any of them drives me to rampant tears. Heck, the thought of the one cat I have lost, after 18 long wonderful years, when I had to put him to sleep. We led a full, full life together and he died in my arms, and that brings me sobbing too.

God how I wish people cared more for the animals. I'm so happy Valerie and Lady are reunited, but so wrought with sadness for the abandoned dogs and pets I've seen in other photos. :cry:

[Onlooker]

16. I have a cat whom I love and adore, but ...

But, I know if my cat dies the only ones who will suffer are me and my partner. My cat, should he suffer during death, will not reflect on his past or look to his future. Will not ask, "Why God, why me? Why did I have to die so young?" My cat will do a lot better than any human, and his loss will not leave a long trail of suffering in its wake.

While I have nothing against saving animals, all our resources have got to be directed toward helping the sick, the hungry, the lost, the helpless, the suicidal, and frightened humans. Imagine a poor family that lost everything. Everything. I would rather see them get a little more attention, a little more money, than a cat or dog get a lease on life.

[txindy]

22. No one is asking for you to do one or the other

And evacuating with your cat in your shirt wouldn't have taken up any more room in the chopper, would it? That little dachshund wouldn't have taken up much room in that lady's arms, either. Yet she was refused that permission. A doctor remained behind, alone, to care for all of the staff's and patients' animals on the roof of the hospital.

It doesn't have to be an either/or situation. The animal isn't taking up anyone's seat. Even now, when they're evacuating a few people at a time, they often refuse to take the person's animals with them. Ludicrous.

[FlaGranny]

24. I would rather see a poor family that lost everything

- the lost, the helpless, the suicidal, and frightened humans be allowed to take ALL their loved ones with them. Why cause more devastation to an already devastated person?

[MisterP]

25. ALL of them?

not even a single fiver, a handful of volunteers?

[Barack_America]

35. Many of these families haven't lost everything...YET...

...we are trying to save their pets...

[txindy]

18. I'm SO happy she got her dogs back! NOMINATED!

I read about her and her husband having to choose between leaving their beloved dogs behind in the hospital and getting out with only a container of his meds, or staying behind. She was just destroyed about leaving her dogs, but had to leave. I am SOOOOOOO happy to see this!! :cry:

[BeHereNow]

21. Animals are the only people who love us unconditionally...

Can I get a witness?
BHN
(And yes, I said Animals are PEOPLE.
The best people I know.)

[grace0418]

41. AMEN to that. I wouldn't leave my little guy for anything. They'd have

to kill me first. I love him more than I love the vast majority of humans on this planet. My husband is probably the only one I love more, and some days it's a tight race.

[A Brand New World]

26. There is absolutely NO WAY I would ever leave my dog. They'd

have to knock me in the head with a hammer. It drives me crazy to even think of it or imagine what these poor people and pets have gone through. Thank God the ASPCA & HSUS are finally in there and rescuing them. It tears my heart out to still see them abandoned on the street and drinking that water. They have no idea not to drink the water. All they know is they're thirsty, hungry and petrified. They're slowing killing themselves with that water.:cry:

[fudge stripe cookays]

56. I know...

that's all I've been able to think about during this. That fucking water.

FSC

[Beaverhausen]

27. one more vote gets this thread on the Greatest Page

anyone?

[satya]

28. Forcing these people to leave pets behind is psychological terrorism.

I'm a cat person and this picture makes me cry.

[lisby]

44. I wouldn't say terrorism...

But it is psychological torture being inflicted on already traumatized people. To many people (including myself), animals are just as just as much members of family units as humans. It is not belittling human life to understand and accept this. The loss of these animals will haunt their human companions as deeply as the loss of a fellow homo sapien--perhaps moreso, because companion animals are as innocent as children. When we take them into our lives we make a commitment to care for them. The look in the eyes of a pet being left behind can be a horrible, traumatic image that remains with the person for a lifetime, along with the resulting guilt.

If the pets can be saved, they should. Not at the expense of humans, but whenever possible. And it will certainly be to the psychological benefit of the victims.

Lisby

[Kindigger]

57. Pets are...

probably the best mental health counselors they will ever find.

[Infomaniac]

29. Tears in my eyes

Anybody with furkids can relate to this photo. If I remember correctly, this is the same woman who offered her wedding band to the rescuers if they would take her dogs. She was heart-broken to leave them behind.

[cry baby]

30. If I didn't have kids or lived alone, I would have never left a pet

behind...NEVER! I would be one of those hold-outs that wouldn't leave without my loved ones!

[BiggJawn]

31. We love our pets..

Or "companion animals" whatever, pets they are.

FWIW, CHILDREN have no "value" in and of themselves, it's the promise of FUTURE "worth" that makes them important. At least to the Corporate Beast, anyway...700 years ago, you might see someone get more tore up over the loss of a cow than a kid or 2.

Having said that, how would people feel if they were told to leave their KIDS behind on the roof?

All I have are 2 fish. But Moe Betta Fish knows me and puts on a show when it's feeding time, and the goldfish has been with me almost 9 years now.

Could I leave them behind?

Not hardly. so if you ever see a guy in the refugee line with a 5-gallon bucket holding a HUGE goldfish, it's probably me...

[Terran]

32. Someone actually talked bad about this woman?

How incredibly shitty.

People who are adversely affected by disasters may or may not have themselves to blame. But you CANNOT blame an animal. They are, unlike ALL of us, innocents. They rely upon us for their very existence. When an animal and its human have to be separated like this, it's among the saddest things I can think of. I totally understand how this woman is feeling in this picture. This is the older-than-ancient bond between humanity and its domesticated partners, and is not be mocked.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

52. No, not this woman specifically, but other pet owners.

I've posted several pet threads since Katrina hit, and I've had people on DU say "I wouldn't waste one minute rescuing the animals. Rescue the people and FORGET them."

That's why I made the comment in the original post about those people being in the minority, because DUers step in and slam that kind of thinking...HARD.

The only reason I even mention is is that the comments are so VILE, so REPUGNANT, that I wonder what kind of satisfaction people get from posting them (other than the fact that some people just like to upset others).

:grouphug:

By the way...my cat, Seiko. I would not leave my home without her under ANY circumstances:

[Terran]

64. Thanks for clarifying

I haven't seen those comments, but I'm not surprised they're being made. I'm with you: I have three cats and they are the most precious things to me in the world, next to my partner. I would never abandon them to die, under ANY circumstances.


Seiko is tres exquisite, by the way!

[China_cat]

33. I love my animals. 4 dogs and 5 cats

but I saw the piece on GMA about people being reunited with their pets and had to wonder why there were no black faces...and why pets are being rescued (after being left behind by people who had the resources to evacuate themselves) while people are still being denied services and corpses rot in the streets.

It's bad all around but I have to feel that the people should come first. Or that if one group is getting their animals back, then those who need them most...those who have nothing else left...should also be getting theirs.

[Barack_America]

37. Dont' be fooled...you are only seeing less black faces being....

...reunited with their pets because more African Americans are trapped in shelters and haven't been reunited with their pets yet. Heck, they haven't even been reunited with their (human)families yet.

[fudge stripe cookays]

54. There are people who do this professionally, for God's sake

This is what they are trained to do. They have the equipment to collect lost, scared, and abandoned pets and get them to safety. They are doing that.

Everyone around the country is chipping in to help the evacuees. There are resources to help these animals too, and they are being used. To not save the animals is a travesty. We can do both.

FSC

[BrklynLiberal]

40. Being "reunited with loved ones" includes being reunited with ones pets..

I could never leave my cats and dogs behind. I would be one of those sitting on the side of road with my companion animals because I would also refuse to leave without them.

[donco6]

43. Gotta be one happy pooch

At least from her perspective, all is now right with the world. Thanks!

[rumpel]

46. Here is another photo on MSNBC

sorry do not know how to post it or even if legally possible so I will give a link

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

scroll down to: ANIMAL TRACKS and click on the picture

[BamaBecky]

47. more tears rolling down my cheeks...n/t

[prole_for_peace]

49. all of my donations have been to pet rescue operations.

isn't the trauma of losing their homes and the lives they have known enough? these people have suffered too much to be forced to suffer more by leaving their pets behind and then having to worry about them. i feel more for animals than people usually because we put them in situations that are dangerous to them and they can't fend for themselves.

[undergroundpanther]

50. Love love love

Her dog is Grinnin'too What a cutie A Dashund, What an awesome picture. I sure would love to see some black faces reunited with thier pets too tho.
Sheesh If my kitties were in that kind of danger and I saw them again you bet I'd have tears with cat fur stuck to them on my face too ..and my kitties would get a saltwater bath...and the picture might look really silly I dunno..I am glad for her and her little dog too!

And whattever happened to the little boy and Snowball?

[Hell Hath No Fury]

51. I think there are two kinds of ways...

folks relate to animals. They are either thought of as property, or as family members.

I have three family members -- they also happen to be cats, but they are family members none the less. I thinks folks from camp A cannot truly understand folks in camp B because of how they view animals.

I see a person from the gulf coast who refuses to leave without their furry family member and I get it completely.

It would literally make me crazy to be forced to leave behind my family members to an uncertain future. It would haunt me forever if I walked out on them and left them to die. I just don't have it in me.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

53. My routine around the house is established by my cat...

I indulge EVERY quirk this animal has.

For some unknown reason, she cries and wants me to follow her to her food and watch her eat.

Really, it's like the old "Lassie" bit about "What's wrong, Lassie? Timmy fell in the WELL?" She cries and keeps trying to get my attention and when I walk toward her food she keeps turning around to make sure I'm following her, and when I sit by her food she eats and purrs like a MOTORBOAT.

So, by your definition, I fit into category #2.

:toast:

[Hell Hath No Fury]

60. Here's to being...

in Camp B!

:toast:

[Kindigger]

58. My cat Weezie

I remember when I was in a circumstance where I thought I had to make the decision to give her away. She was six at the time, and I had raised her since before her eyes were open; she'd been fed with an eye dropper. Someone had brought her to me, because a tomcat had killed the rest of the litter. At the time I was known as "the cat woman".

I selected a family in the country with a house on a bluff. I took her out and showed her the butterflies, and trees. I explained to her what fun she would have there, and I left in tears.

About a week later I was told to come and get her. She was lethargic, wouldn't eat or drink. I went up into the driveway when no one was home. Before I got to the top...before I came to a stop...Weezie ran from the back of the house, and made a giant leap into the car window, and onto my lap. She's part Siamese so she talks alot. She started jabbering at me immediately. I sat and cried, I told her how sorry I was, and promised never EVER to do that again. She was happy to live in my car with me for the next six+ months.

For the past week, I've spent my time alternating between crying jags, and telling her how much I love her. She gives me a "head butt", and snuggles closer.

:hug:

[bluedawg12]

62. I would NEVER leave my dogs and cats, they are

family.

Check out Noah's Wish.org

They specialize in rescuing pets from disaters, that's their nitch.

They are wonderful and I have donated to them.

Someone needs to speak for those who can't speak but love us and stay by our side.

[Beelzebud]

63. If i was there. I would be one of the people refusing to leave without my

dog.

There is no way in hell I would survive with Buddy (cocker spaniel) for a week, and then abandon him. I would never forgive myself.