Amber Spillman

[Stefie C]

I just read this in the thread titled Hurricane Katrina

I live in Slidell, which is 30 minutes away from New Orleans. My whole family, along with all of our animals are now in Georgia and have been since EARLY monday morning. It looks like we are going to be here for at least a month so I won't be on here a lot. I'll have to catch up when I get back.

Amber, I am so sorry to hear this but I'm also thankful to know that you, your family & pets are safe. Thank God you had family who could take you in. I don't know what else to say. So I'll just send you an Internet hug and keep you & yours in my prayers. (((((((Amber))))))

[Summer Magic]

Amber your cyber family is with you. We are sending good thoughts and lots of ((((((((HUGS)))))))) ) to you and your family. We will also pray that things will become more organized and that you will be able to return to your home town soon. Check in when you can so we will know that you are alright. We'll keep the light on for you.

[Luciann]

Amber, I am glad that you are safe and sound. we are here for you and i hope that you can return home soon and that the devistation is not complete in your home town....

[Loren Kristunas]

So glad you and yours are okay. What a horrible, horrible tragedy this has been. Please take care.

[babyblue]

It's great to know your ok and so are your doggies and loved ones!! That's great!! Take care and be careful! {{{{hugs}}}} to you and your doggies!!

[Susie B]

I'm glad you got out in time. Our daycare center had a can out for the doggie donations for the hurricane victims. I thought that was very special.

[Andre Mendizabal]

This has been a terrible tragedy, we send you a huge hug and hope that you can return to your hometown soon and safe... be careful and take care!!!!

[De Clark]

glad you and the critters are safe! prayers & hugs being sent! Hope you will have a home to go back too

[Lesly Stevens]

I'm so glad to learn that you and doggies are safe and sound. Heartfelt thoughts and prayers for you and yours.

Lesly, Maddy, & Bo

[Jennifer Hughes]

Glad you are safe. Just saw your hometown in the newspaper this morning. I'm truly glad you are well and safe. Best of luck.

[Stefie C]

...and hoping that Amber had posted. :(

Amber, I just want you to know you are still in my thoughts and prayers. I hope things are going well for you & your family.

[Susie B]

I'm praying as well. Tomorrow I'm going to go by our Capital Area Humane Society who is taking donations for the animal victims

[Sheryl]

Hi! I just got back from a week at my sister's where the internet was down. Does anyone know of a reputable organization who is assisting the animals affected by the hurricaine where I could make a donation online? I'm so far away, but would like to do what I can and make a modest donation. Thanks.

[Andre Mendizabal]

Hi! I just got back from a week at my sister's where the internet was down. Does anyone know of a reputable organization who is assisting the animals affected by the hurricaine where I could make a donation online? I'm so far away, but would like to do what I can and make a modest donation. Thanks.

Hi Sheryl, you can check the page of the ASPCA, they are taking donations and you can find a lot of information about the work they're doing in the Mississipi area, as well as other organizations and shelters working with the animals.

[Amber]

I'M BACK!!! lol

A big THANK YOU for everyone who posted! My mom, my two dogs, and I are now living with my grandmother and aunt for the next couple of months while we get our house fixed up. We had two big holes and two small holes in our roof (darn trees!) and a little flood damage. The last big hurricane, we got 6 feet of water in our house and we didn't get nearly that in our house this time, so that's one good thing!

Sheryl-

I posted on your other thread that Noah's Wish is a WONDERFUL group to donate to. We got back into town Sunday night and I was up in the morning volunteering for them in Slidell (what can I say...all about the animals!) They have rescued over 500 animals (dogs, cats, squirrels, & birds) from around Louisiana, Mississippi, and I think Alabama. Some of their owners have already claimed them, but the Noah's Wish people are letting them keep their animals there because they have no houses to go back to.

All in all, I'm lucky. I have a friend that I go to school with that lived in St. Benard Parish, right outside of New Orleans, and his entire family has nothing to go back to.

[Stefie C]

Hi Amber, It's so good to hear from you. I'm glad to hear you have a place to stay, that you & your family are well and that your pets are with you. You are so wonderful to be volunteering to help while you are also suffering. Kudos to you! I hope you are able to find someone to fix your home quickly. Let us know how you and you furbabies are doing. I hope Sally hasn't suffered a setback from the trauma of being uprooted and away from her home. Hugs & prayers to you. Take care.

[Andre Mendizabal]

Hi Amber, well, great to hear you are ok and that your house didn't suffer as much... I've seen the news on tv, it was really terrible... great to hear you are within the lucky ones!!!!
Anyway, tonight they are going to have a special program in animal planet about those organizations and people helping the animals in need due to Katrina, its gonna be at 9pm, you can check www.animalplanet.com
Great to have you back Amber and pooches!!!

[Amber]

Amazingly enough, I think the trip to Georgia helped Sally a lot. I thought there would be set backs, but I really didn't see any. She slept on the hotel bed with me most of the 2 weeks, which she never did at home, and stayed on the bed when the rest of the family came in the room instead of running down and hiding in her crate. I think the trip out of the house helped her confidence a lot!

[Stefie C]

Amazingly enough, I think the trip to Georgia helped Sally a lot. I thought there would be set backs, but I really didn't see any. She slept on the hotel bed with me most of the 2 weeks, which she never did at home, and stayed on the bed when the rest of the family came in the room instead of running down and hiding in her crate. I think the trip out of the house helped her confidence a lot!
Imagine that! I'm glad to hear it though. I guess hard times can bring out the best in our animal friends too.

You said you're living with your grandma & aunt. Are they near your home? I'm happy to hear the damage to your home wasn't as bad as it could have been. Have you been able to find someone to do the needed repairs? I know my brother waited for months last year after hurricane Charlie (I think) damaged his condo. Just be careful, times like these also bring out the worst in some people. Scam artists and con men are plentiful after a disaster.

[Luciann]

Amber i am thrilled that you are back home and that the kids are doing great. I am glad that the damage was not too bad and that Sally did so well with being uprooted.

[Amber]

Stefie-

They live about 15-20 minutes away from my house, so it's easy enough to get back and forth to clean out our house. We are only using people that were recommended to us by people that have already used them...and my brother and some other family members! lol. So far, my brother and his friend took the tree that left the holes in my roof down and cut a path to the front door for us. I think my brother's friend may cut out the portion of our roof that is moldy, I'm not sure though.

Luciann-

I'm glad Sally did so well, too! I thought for sure we were going to have another mange mishap from this ordeal, but we're doing okay so far. I'm trying to keep them on their old schedule as much as possible, even though they are in a new house with no fence for the time being.

[Luciann]

Amber

i am sure that they will do fine and i know that they will all make it thrugh this. i am glad that you are able to start getting the house back together. i don't know how my two would do in that same situation but i would hope that they would do as well.
give sally a great big hug and smooch from us for doing such a good job.