Katrina Animals

Description: Lucy was brought back on our fourth trip to the Gulf. This little baby came from New Orleans. When she first came, she was very skinny and tested positive for heartworm. Now she is in a loving foster home and has been treated. She has also gained a lot of weight. Much to our surprise, we also discovered that she is pregnant! Based on an exam by the vet, her pups seem to be growing very well, despite their mother's ordeal. Her pups are due very soon. Stay tuned for updates!

Description: Maggie is a Retriever that was pulled out of New Orleans on our fourth trip to the Gulf Region. This poor girl is very thin. She also has some burns on her skin from the caustic waters of New Orleans, which has also caused her her black coat to bleached to a redish color. Update: Maggie is a brown/black long haired lab mix rescued from Katrina. She has a microchip but it is not registered. She is a sweet older lady, who has taken a particular liking to the man in our house. She would be a loving and loyal dog to anyone but particular loves men! She received a clean bill of health from the vet, and her coat and skin is recovering nicely from the stress of Katrina. She is housetrained and crate trained and seems to enjoy other dogs and even the cat in her foster home. She really loves laying around the house and having her belly scratched. She is really quite sweet and would make a great family pet.

Description: Maggie (Mags for short) was pulled out of New Orleans on our fourth trip. She is 1 to 2 years old. She is crate trained and housebroken. Mags is very smart and eager to please. She is an active, strong girl who sometimes gets mouthy when being playful or when unsure of something. Her foster mom is working with her on this. She weighs about 40lbs. Mags is not a barker. She loves chew bones and tennis balls. She would not do well with children or other animals.

Description: Mikey was found on September 22 in New Orleans by an acquaintance who works for the DHS. Mike (the rescuer, which is where we got the name)was working with some MPs going door to door looking for survivors (or looters.) They found Mikey chained inside a house that had been abandoned and had drug paraphernalia all around. Mikey was skinny, but in relatively good health when they found him, although he had clearly been left on his own for 15-20 days. Mike the rescuer brought him back to NOVA and my housemates and I took him in and took on the task of finding him a new home or a foster family that could work on getting him adopted. He weighs 60 lbs, is about 8-9 months old. We are currently crate training him. He is still a pup and is a little jumpy and gets very excited around people and other dogs. He has made HUGE improvements since we got him though and is learning how to walk on the leash and is learning not to jump at other dogs (although even when he did jump it was only to sniff and play, not to bite). He didn't know how to walk up stairs when we first got him, but now he's an expert. He also had his first bath at the groomers and they loved him there! He doesn't love water (as you can only imagine after his experiences in New Orleans) but the groomers said he was great and very affectionate with them. He's a totally lovable dog and is very smart, he's learning so quickly that he can already sit and lay down on command. He loves peanut butter and that's the best way to get him to do what you want. He hasn't been around children yet, but he does well around lots of people.

Description: This handsome Pit Bull came from New Orleans on our fourth trip down. More information to follow.

Description: This pup came to AFH with open sores and was very itchey and matted. When we picked it up, our hands had a reaction to something on its fur, causing our hands to turn red and swell. We learned very quickly how toxic the waters they were swimming in had become. Needless to say, this pup was washed thoroughly by its new foster family and is healing very nicely.

Description: Rocco is a 1- to 2-year old tan chihuahua mix with a white stripe on his snout and a white patch on his neck who is in very good condition. He's been with his foster family for about two weeks and is a happy little fellow, fitting right into the family. This spunky little guy is a joy -- he's housebroken, polite, cuddly, likes to sleep under the covers, and trots right at the heels of his humans wherever they go. Rocco is mighty small--topping out at just a bit over 6 pounds--but he's a little powerhouse and can hold his own with his foster family's 35 lb brittany and 75 lb lab/catahoula mix. The fact that he's so friendly, heartworm negative, and in such all-around great shape suggests that he had a loving home before Katrina struck. If he can't be reunited with his New Orleans family, we can attest to the fact that he'll be a delightful addition to someone else's home! He gets along great with kids, but can be a bit of a jumper and might startle very young children with his exuberance.

Description: Hello AFH'ers!! It's 'Rosie' checkin' in ..., I got to my new Foster Home on Sunday night after a VERY long day on the road in a crate. I was soooooo hungry and sleepy - and much in need of a lonnng outside break, (oh how good that felt !!!) I got my tummy full, had a bit of a rumble with one of my Foster folks' canine kidz, and was ready to hit the hay. I slept ALLLLL night long!! (I overheard my folks say I didn't make a peep!). I've been surprising the foster folks here with how good my appetite is - boy, can I wolf it down! (I'm just SO hungry !!) She seems to think that my ribs may not be showing any longer very soon! Oh !! And I heard her say it even looks like my hair is growin' back in over some of those AWFUL acid burn spots! She and my new Vet (Dr. Margulies) at Chantilly Animal Hospital think I may be a diva yet! My folks are calling me 'Rosie' Honestly, I don't care WHAT they call me, as long as they keep calling me for dinner (hehe)!! I went to Dr. Margulies' office for the first time last night. Wow, I never SAW a place like THAT before !! They gave me treats and hugs - and this 'doctor dude' looked at me reallllly close. I heard him tell my foster dad I had heart. I was about to flash him a big grin - until I heard him add the word WORMS !! I saw him give my foster dad some pills and some other medicine. He told my dad the pills would be very good for me. This afternoon, my new foster mom did this thing they call 'checking phone messages', and - wow !! - I heard that doctor dude's voice, but he wasn't even there! How does THAT work?? I heard him tell my foster mom that I am 'anemic' and that I have a 'urimary track infection.' Wow!! who knew ???!!! Anway, I'm gonna take all that stuff the doctor dude gave my foster dad, and then I have to go back to the doc's house. He's gonna look for 'skinny bones' some more (wonder if he has a good hiding place for his? ... ), and take some more blood? (Gee, why would he wanna go and do a thing like THAT?) By the way, where'd all those other dogs 'n cats go that were in that van with me ? Tell 'em I said ' arf !!' It was swell of those nice ladies to bring us here. I haven't slept so good in months! Oh, ... and the food is just 'to die for' !! Oh, and ya know that crate thing we had to stay in all day Sunday? Well, the folks put up this little, um ... kinda ... FENCE for me here, instead. So I can see allll around, and can walk around, and whenever I want, I can just flop onto my soft bed and sleep to my heart's content. Their dogs lie outside the fence beside me, so I'm never lonely. Gee, they don't even take my toys or bother my food - they just seem to LIKE me - and like, they take CARE of me sorta. There's lots more to tell, but it's time for my nap now. Just wanted to raise a paw and let ya'll know I'm doin JUST fine - OH !! ... and thanks again to the nice ladies who took us here (wherever 'here' is. P.S. My foster folks told me to be sure to tell you guys that I haven't had a SINGLE 'accident'!! Oh, and they both give me LOTS of 'scritches' and say what a 'sweet puppy' I am, and I really like that! Yup, I could get used to THIS!! Update: As you can see, I have filled out a lot! I do not even look like the same girl. I am so glad to have such a wonderful place to stay.

Description: My name is Sadie. I was rescued from New Orleans with my sister and am now available for adoption. The people who rescued me think I am a light chocolate lab. I am a tough, sturdy puppy. I have lots of energy, and when I am all played out, I throw myself on the ground and fall asleep immediately. My big paws mean I am going to grow up and be a big girl! I am almost potty trained also and I am getting this leash thing down. I am such a fast learner, I know I am going to make a great addition to someone’s family.

Description: Sam is a Rat Terrier, brought back from New Orleans on our fourth trip to the Gulf. This little boy is heartworm positive and has already undergone his first treatment. His foster family will have to keep this little guy calm for awhile, to allow him to heal from this illness. The top picture is Sam when he first arrived. The bottom photo was taken more recently.

Description: St. Patrick was brought back on our fourth trip to the Gulf. This poor guy is very thin and very scared. He was picked up from New Orleans. Update: St. Patrick weighed only 35 pounds when he was first brought in--basically skin and bones. He is now a normal weight. St. Patrick is 1-2 years old. Despite his ordeal, he is now playful and active, and is regaining his confidence. His tail is no longer constantly between his legs, although he is still a little shy with strangers. He has a wonderful friendly personality and is good with children. St. Patrick is afraid of cats, but is good with other dogs. He needs some training, but has a natural calm manner to him. By this we mean, he is happy to lie down nearby, sleep in a crate, or sit in the grass outside between play time. Saint Patrick will make a wonderful companion for a family, or individual. They will have to be patient and loving and use only positive reinforcement in training. St. Patrick has seen the horrors of New Orleans, but will never be able to tell us what it was like, so he needs all the compassion and understanding you can give to readjust, and forget his desperate times alone.

Description: Teddy was brought back on our fourth trip to the Gulf. This dog came from New Orleans and is very thin. More information to follow.

Description: Hello, my name is Tess, at least that is what my nice foster mommy is calling me. You see I have come a long way. Someone found me in an abandoned house with a little puppy. You see my owners had to leave us because of a horible storm. They tell me that her name was Katrina. I was so relieved when someone came to get us. I was a mess! I had to be shaved to get rid of all the filth. I really am a sweet dog and love everyone at my foster moms house. She has lots of kids and other dogs for me to play with. She also has the puppy that was with me. I was really worried about my buddy, her name is Tink. We are now being well cared for. I may be looking for a new home soon so if you would like to meet me that can be arranged. Tess

Description: Hi, my name is Tink. I came a very long distance with my buddy Tess. They thought she was my mommy at first but the vet says no Tess is not my mom. But we are good friends. We were together thru the terible storm. We were rescued together. I am so happy to be with people again. You see we were alone for 3 weeks with no food and no one to take care of us. We love our foster home. I am a very playful happy puppy. I may be looking for a new home soon. I have to say thanks to the wonderful people who saved me. Love Tink

Description: This poor boy came to AFH from New Orleans. He was picked up from the Tylertown Shelter, hence the name. As you can see, he is very thin. Although we can't prove it, it is likely he is pure-bred. Now that Tyler has landed in a loving foster home, we expect his spirits to be greatly lifted.

Description: Wally is a 1-2 year old Pit Bull that was rescued from the Katrina disaster area. This poor boy is very thin, weighing only 31 pounds. Despite some skin issues due to fleas and wounds on his tail and neck, this guy is very sweet. He is also heartworm positive and has begun treatment.

Description: Hi, my name is Willow. I was rescued from New Orlean with my sister and am now ready for adoption. I am a pretty chocolate lab with my bright blue-green eyes. I am a lively, healthy puppy who is almost potty-trained. I have accidents sometimes, but then again, I am only eight weeks old. I am smaller than my sister, but I am not at all timid and love to initiate our wrestling matches. I am super sweet and look forward to finding a loving forever home.