From Katrina Victim - Update February 26, 2006:
DESCRIPTION:
Cleo's "Lost" Petfinder# is PF56361. Cleo is an older large, female great dane who weighed about 130 lb. before the Hurricane. She is not spayed, and is female. She is black with white on her chest, almost to her neck, and she has white on the tips of her toes. She has grayish white around her nose from age (the photo is a few years old). Her most distinguishing feature is a bump around the size of a quarter by her ribs. She had on a 1" brown leather collar, and may have lost some weight.
Cleo's owner says "we got out of the house and swam to a neighbors upstairs apartment. I accidentally pulled Cleos tags off of her collar while trying to get us to safety on higher ground. We stayed on the top of my truck and roof of house till Thursday morning, when we swam to St. Bernard Highway. From there we walked up the road, about 3 miles into Violet. We stopped to rest outside of Mutts Restaurant on St. Bernard Highway. St. Bernard police came by on a deuce and a half to rescue residents. They would not allow me to take Cleo with me. Thats where I had to leave her."
A Stealth Volunteer has received word from Cleo's owner that a firefighter friend spoke with a person who removed bodies from Saint Bernard Parish two weeks after Katrina and they are pretty certain that Cleo was among the deceased dogs. She was found 100 feet from where BJ was forced (at gunpoint) to leave her.
We are heartbroken to learn of yet another needless loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with Cleo's family. Rest in peace, beautiful Cleo.
Many animals die each year just because they cannot be united with a Special Person to walk with them in this life.
I raise Boxers and God Love You, if you are a fan of this wonderful breed. Boxers are fantastic dogs and great companions but some of my most very special memories are of my special muttleys; Bugle Dan and Beau who were as loyal to me as any Boxer that I've owned including my very special Fanny.
I would hope that you would consider saving the life or donating to your own local pet shelters and give them your support. There are a lot of homeless...both animals and people that need our help.
Cleo's story is heartbreaking. Please do not let her death be in vain. Tell your friends, help support your local pet shelters, be prepared for emergency evacuations with your pets..for example, even if you don't use a kennel crate, keep a kennel crate in readiness, pack it with emergency supplies and store it in case of a fire/ice storm/hurricane/tornado/flood or other natural disaster.
Make the effort now to be prepared for evacuation of your family and pets and if you're able to assist your local shelters please take the time to let them know who you are and what services you have available to them now or in the case of an emergency. Please, if all of you that read this story take one small step to work together Cleo WILL HAVE MADE A DIFFERANCE!
Please see my Link page to the link where her story came from as well as other Links to Shelters and Rescue Groups.
To locate lost pets or if you've found a pet, please check this site - No Animal Left Behind
Rainbow Bridge Tribute Continued
Mares
Foals
For Sale
Breed Standard
Service Dogs
Boxer Clubs
Medicine Cabinet for Dogs
Links
Rainbow Bridge Tribute
Marie Hildebrandt
Rathdrum, ID
(208) 687-2656