Saturday, January 30, 2010
Family Reunited with Dachshunds Left in Haiti
Welcome home 'Deiter' and 'Bella!' Oh, the stories these 2 could tell. Deiter and Bella were Hurricane Katrina rescues living in Haiti for 3 years with their humans, artist Paul Fowler and AIDS relief administrator Christine Duchatellier Fowler, when the earthquake struck. The family and dogs made a 3-day trek through the rubble to the US Embassy, and while the humans were flown out of Haiti, the dogs were not allowed on the plane. They had to be left behind for the second time in their lives. Excerpt from USA TODAY:
"It was so painful" to leave the dogs behind, Paul Fowler says. "When we adopted, we promised them and we promised Best Friends (the organization that arranged the adoption) that these dogs would never be left behind again."
The Humane Society of the United States was contacted and vowed to do what it could. Members of the animal rescue team from Humane Society International, Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association finally were permitted into Haiti over the weekend.
The big reunion with the family was yesterday in Miami, Florida. The family will be heading back home to New Orleans next week. Watch the reunion video at wpbf.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I think it's awful these dogs were not allowed to stay with their family initially. Imagine how many strays were created in the wake of this tragedy, and for a time this created 2 more animals without a home...both of whom were originally loved and wanted by their family. This goes to show you what an unjust system we have for animals. While I cannot and will not judge the family for the decision they made under these circumstances, I know that I simply could not have let my dog stay behind. I don't think I would have been physically able to board while leaving her behind. I'm so glad for this reunion and so sad for the ones who won't get one.
How sad they could not have stayed with the owners. I really don't think I would have left without mine...no way....glad they were able to get them out....but how in the world would you leave behind your dog...not in my world can I even imagine that.
Hooray that they were reunited! But how in Heaven's name could anyone not let them on the plane? They could have sat on laps and gotten home in one piece - no extra trips or anything.
I'm so glad for them that they were able to be reunited with their family. It must have been a terrible situation for humans and animals alike.
Hi Joey and Maggie,
Drop by the Pet Museum - there's an award there for you!
Post a Comment