Hurricane Ike-Bayou Dularge, LA-The Animals
Humans aren’t the only victims during and after hurricanes. Often, animals are left behind for various reasons–hotels and shelters don’t allow them; some are too big, like cattle, horses, and goats; and some are wild, like the kittens at my house.
Day 2: Our first trip down the road. and water was still flowing across the highway.
This little guy was trying to graze on the side of the road. Remember, all the grass was flooded over with saltwater, rendering most of it inedible. The rope was tangled in something, making it difficult for Mini to reach better grass.
Look at the black puppy someone left behind, taking refuge on a crab box,
while this gator lurked nearby, looking for an easy meal.
Next we experienced a cattle stampede,
followed by a cattle roadblock, with one Boer goat in the background.
Day 3:
Heather climbed a downed tree to feed and water two wild kittens. They are hard to spot in this photo.
We watched a young man catch this wild rabbit and put it up on a levee where it could find some fresh grass to eat. It seemed totally unafraid, which is not normal at all. Shocked from the high water, no doubt.
These beauties were delighted to have escaped from their pen, but all they have is nasty water to drink.
Day 4: The water was still very high in some places.
Their pasture totally flooded, the road was on the only dry place around; but what would they eat? No, Heather, we can’t take them home with us and feed them.
For two days we fed and watered the mini horse, the rope still tangled in the bushes. No one seemed to know who owned it. By the third day, when it allowed me to pet it, we were about to tie it to the back of the truck and take it up to the cypress house to care for it, when the owner showed up.
These two horses swam from their pen to the levee, where the grass was not polluted with saltwater. However, they had no fresh water to drink.
This cow was with them, so we found a tub and borrowed some water from these folks to give them water to drink.
Hey, Flossie, where ya going? This is fresh water!
So between all the work, we did our best to tend to God’s creatures that could not fend for themselves.
Heather Here saved one of the animals. Can you guess which one?
If you guessed the puppy, you guessed right.
Heather brought her home, gave her a bath and a pink collar. We’ve been trying out names on her all week. And today she got her official name–ISHI. Can you guess what it stands for?
Getting closer to moving back down the bayou,
BW
This is part of a hurricane I never considered. BW. We hear about it on the news of course, but seeing the actual photos is heartbraking.
ISHI? Easy–I survived Hurrican Ike!
I kept thinking about the cats and raccoon and saying a little prayer.
I guess they came to my mind because I have wondered what could I do if tornadoe ever came thru here. In hard times like that we just gotta keep the faith and do what we can do.
Bless you for caring about the animlas too!!
too cute . . I survived Hurricane Ike . . . . she is too cute!
Who has “inherited” Ishi? Heather or Termite? Or have the original owners found y’all? Looks like she might have a LOT (if not all) of Lab in her.
Has all the water receded yet?
I survived Hurricane Ike is correct! And what an appropriate name. There is a longer story to the saving of this puppy, but I’ll let Heather tell it herself.
Stephanie – She is not pure lab, because she has a smaller build and feet. She is a sweetie, though. Heather is taking her home to get her checkup and make sure all is well. We don’t know who owns her. There was no one around, except the folks running the front loader, and they were not familiar with the dog.
The water has receded except in the low-lying fields, pastures, and marshy areas. And it smells so bad to drive through with the windows down.
Ahhh…Ishi… the last wild california red man came down out of the hills to stare at the pale faces. College Anthropology or something class. Good name.
I survived huricane Ike!!! or did someone say ?
YOu guys are such wonderful people to take time to care for those poor animals…
Thank you HH for taking care of ISHI!
Deloutre
What a great post! I’ve been lurking since Gustov. I found you through another blog. Anyway, it’s interested to read about stuff like this. When you don’t live in that area, it’s hard to completely understand what all happens after a hurricane. Thanks for the great photos and information!!
BTW, Love the name ISHI. Very fitting!
Cristie – thanks for stopping by. I’m really glad the photos and posts have helped you have a better grasp for something going on in the nation that is not being televised. Please come back often, I promise you we do have some fun from time to time!!!
BW
You know BW, even in the middle of all the cleaning up chaos, I love your spirit! Posting the story line of the animals effected, too, is so great! Know we are praying for yall, and sending much love to you…once the wedding is over, I will be more consistent in checking back on your site…
Love you! 🙂
Vance – Honestly? Tending to the animals gave us a break from the smelly inside work and helped raise our spirits to be able to do something for someone else who needed help!!!
Blessings to you, T, B, and R while making preparations for the glorious day of matrimony! May you be the second most radiant woman there!!!
Love you back!
BW
*WILD APPLAUSE*
This post brings tears to my eyes. Good for you guys for helping these poor critters. I always worry about the animals, and that dog picture did me in. Was so glad to scroll down and see you got her. Go Heather!!! She looks so happy to be picked up there.
Thanks so much, on behalf of the animals and animal lovers, we all thank you!
Glad to read I wasn’t the only one who cried at this post! I think it was the pup’s name did me in! Having covered many hurricanes and tornadoes, I can tell you the animals always seem like the forgotten story. Bless you and your sister for sharing their plight and taking action to feed, water and rescue them. With all the losses you’ve suffered, I’m astounded at how you continue to give. You may be the most amazing woman I’ve ever met! I pray things are getting better for you down there, and life is returning to “normal” in your new surroundings.
Stephanie. et. al. you give me way too much credit! Heather Here was definitely the strong one this go round. She was my brain and my backbone. Without her, I’d be a useless pile of jelly. Oh yes, I forgot, I am a useless pile of jelly!
BW
Thank you not only for helping out the animals but for your pics and your blog. I started a blog “Hurricane Ike Animal Rescues” to try to get the word out about the small groups and shelters that were in need of help due to Ike and Gustav. The big organizations are quite effective in raising funds after these destructions while the small groups/shelters go unheard. Sadly I don’t think many people realize how much destruction was done and how many animals (as well as humans) were impacted. I posted a notice about this page on my blog and recommended people read it.
SRM – Bless you for your efforts to help small groups and shelters. What a great idea! Good luck with that, ok? What we did was so little and hopefully made a difference. You are right, though, most people don’t think about the animals that are affected. I welcome all your readers and hope they comment when the stop by! I hope to have an internet connection at my place of residence soon and will be blogging like a fool!
BW