When you walk in the front door of the Uptown Cafe, at the end of the ledge, there is a stack of New York Times. Yesterday morning, while looking through them, I saw an image from the Katrina aftermath that affected me more than any other. Unfortunately I'm not able to post it, but the caption read, "Cherly Cook cried as she prepared to evactuate New Orleans and be separated from her dog, Trouble." The photograph, taken by Chang W. Lee of the New York Times, is of a middle aged woman bent with her arm around her dog's neck. A police officer stands in front of her telling her she must leave--without her dog. And the expression on the woman's face is of absolute pain. It is my face the day Abe died earlier this summer. The dog stands pressed against her leg-- a big, beautiful mix of brown and black. His fur is wet.
There was a week's worth of New York Times to look through while I waited for coffee, but it was that image that I kept returning to. I looked around for someone to show it to so I could say something like: "Can you imagine?!?." But really I didn't have words, only a welling of emotion for that woman and her dog... and
all the women and their dogs...and for
my dog. Because even the
thought of leaving my own is enough to reduce me to tears.
I've been carrying that image around inside of me since. Day 12 (Saturday), the New York Times included images of dogs being rescued from New Orleans and being sent to Baton Rouge for treatment where they will also, hopefully, be reunited with their owners.
Today, while looking for more information on Cheryl Cook, I found that her story, in a way, has had a happy ending.
photo posted on www.post-gazette.comMona Reeder, The Dallas Morning News via AP
"Despite orders to vacate the city, Cheryl Cook says she won't leave her Desire Street home in the lower 9th Ward of New Orleans because she won't abandon her dog, Trouble, her two parakeets, Love and Joy, and her 10 fish. She said she sent her four children out of the area before the hurricane hit, but just couldn't leave her home and pets."
I wouldn't have left either.
1 comment:
I sat next to Cheryl Cook tonight at a benefit for hurricane victims that took place in Des Moines, IA, where she has been living in a Holiday Inn for the past month or so. Tomorrow she moves into the apartment that was arranged for her. This is so sad...the landlady has refused to let her bring her dog! And says Cheryl can't even have a bird or any fish. The dog is living in a local kennel, which Cheryl has visited several times, but she really has no way to get there without a car. I gave Cheryl my phone number and hope she calls me. Maybe I can help her find better living accommodations that will be fine for both her and her dog.
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