Brandy and Val

Hurricane Irene, the storm, has moved on but our thoughts and best wishes go out to all those families and homes that continue to be without power, are flooded, are damaged, etc. etc.    In stark contrast and probably as a result of the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005, governments and towns along the Eastern seaboard had  better emergency plans in place and those ordered to evacuate had ample time to do so and mostly did.  Continued good news followed on the “care of animals” front in that may shelters this time around had contingency and evacuation plans in place and many states organized pet evacuation shelters, too!   The ASPCA, Humane Society, and local shelters (based on my Google search of the topic, yes, rather informal) really had it together this time around–kudos to all those involved.   Best Friends, the animal sanctuary who was so instrumental in helping the Katrina animals, kept their website current and provided state listings  of resources to tap into for animal aid.      The Air National Guard had a role in helping transport animals in NJ back to their shelters.

We at Brandy and Val are so pleased that, from what we can see so far, a Katrina Calamity has been averted.  Val, as a Hurricane Katrina survivor, is especially pleased that so many families had plans for their pets and were able to keep them safe and with them.    Hurricane Katrina’s 6th anniversary coincided with Hurricane Irene’s, a reminder that the wrath of Mother Nature’s storms are not one-time events.     Remember the animals — the four-legged members of the family who are so near and dear.

Comments? Suggestions?  We’d love to hear from you. Brandy and Val are two former rescue dogs who star in their children’s board  book series.   Animal shelters throughout the U.S.  benefit with every sale from  Brandy and Val’s books and toys.

As we wrote about previously, Brandy and Val is supporting the animal relief effort in Haiti by donating $5 from every sale of our children’s books and toys now through the end of February.   Our donations will be made to Best Friends Haiti Animal Relief, a member of ARCH, the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti. ARCH is an international organization, created by the World Society for the Protection of Animals and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.  The American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA,  has also joined forces with ARCH to help out.  See our blog post from January 20.

For continuing coverage and video, check out the ASPCA who is providing field reports along with the AVMA

AVMA video

Don’t think Haiti’s rebuilding much matters to the world or to the U.S.?  Think again!  Read insightful articles recently written for Newsweek by President Obama and Former President Bill Clinton.

Val, what a sorry state we found him in!  We weren’t necessarily looking for another dog, but my husband and I were at a vet’s office looking at one who, we were told, was Brandy’s biological brother.  Without going into the details, we all recognized, including Brandy, that this would not be a match made in Heaven.  There was another dog at the clinic that I noticed because he was so emaciated and his eyes were so full of loneliness and sadness.  I was told FPALR was trying to find a home for him but we went home, not giving it another thought…..or so I thought.  My eye contact with Val haunted me,  I ultimately relented and told my husband that if he wanted a 2nd dog, the sickly yellow lab we saw from the other day would be it.

We didn’t know anything about Val’s history at the time but when Val walked through the door, further explanation was warranted ASAP!  His belly was full of surgical staples, he smelled, his leg had a big protruding bulge of bone on it and he was covered in some form of skin rash.  I was not  thinking of giving him back since I felt even sorrier for him now but I definitely was thinking “what did we get ourselves into with this one?” AND “ka-ching, ka-ching on vet bills!”

Ileana brought over Val’s papers.  A Katrina Dog.

We heard of all the abandoned pets and saw the pictures of the lost souls wandering New Orleans, standing on roof tops, etc. and felt awful.   It turned out that FPALR brought up 30 dogs to place (they did) and Val was part of the group.  We know nothing of his background but can only assume that he had a family since he clearly was trained, obedient, walked easily on a leash and adores being around little children.  As for his name?  Don’t really know but he was called “Valenti” and the school of thought is that the ASPCA veterinarians in New Orleans oversaw the care of  groups of animals and they were identified by the name charge or some variation of that theme.   By the time we adopted him, he reasonably enough responded to his new name and we didn’t have the heart to change it again.  He was 40 pounds upon arrival to our home; he truly must have been at death’s door when he was picked up in New Orleans.  I wonder every day why he was chosen to survive and what his story was.  How I wish he could talk.

Needless to say, we nursed him back to health.  He weighs in at 72 pounds and shows very little signs of his traumatic past.   He remains petrified of heavy rains and storms and can detect thunder and lightening at a distance.  He shakes so much and it is so pitiful.  Many dogs, however, fear storms so I’ll never really know to what extent Katrina played in this.  Surprisingly, Val loves to swim.  We thought, for sure, he would stay away from water.

Fortunate pooch, indeed!  One look into Val’s eyes and I know each and every moment how grateful he is for his new family.