Katrina Evacuee Reunited With Dog. [husband of "Here Lies Vera"]

The Victoria Advocate ^ | Sunday, November 6, 2005 | Patrick Brendel

[potlatch]

Max Keene seemed to have lost everything to Hurricane Katrina, but he got a piece of his life back early Halloween morning.

Keene's wife, Vera Smith, was killed by a hit and run driver in the chaos following the storm, and her body went unburied for days - until he and his neighbors took it upon themselves to construct a tomb for her right on the New Orleans sidewalk.

Images of Smith's makeshift grave and unforgettable epitaph, "Here lies Vera. God help us", appeared in newspapers and television broadcasts all over the world and became one of the symbols of the tragedy in New Orleans.

Keene was later forced to leave his home at the point of a National Guardsman's gun, he said. "Someone aims an M-16 at you, you go, right?"

[potlatch]

A picture of Max and his Beagle, Clyde, appears in the article. Below is a scanned picture of Vera's makeshift grave. It is a haunting picture that you do not forget.

[potlatch]

I was happy to see this article in the newspaper this morning, at least there is a little bit of happiness for a man and his dog.

The 'pet rescue' operations deserve much praise, and some donations too!

[potlatch]

Max and his Beagle, Clyde;

[LucyJo]

Thanks for posting this uplifting story. Tears of happiness for Max and Clyde, his Beagle! Now they have a living piece of the life they had before that horrible tragedy.

Have you heard anything about the little ten year old boy, who was forced to leave his little dog, Snowball, when he boarded the bus to be evacuated from N.O.? I hope Snowball made it, and that they can be reunited if they haven't been already. I think so often about the trauma that poor child must have endured because of that, and the effect that it will likely have on him for some time.

[potlatch]

I tried to follow up on the story about Snowball without much success. I did read just one line in some article that they HAD been reunited, but I feel there would have been pictures and more stories about it if it were true.

[LucyJo]

I've thought the same - that there would surely have been pictures and stories about the reunion, if it had occurred, simply because of the impact the original story had on so many people.

I pray that the pets that have been rescued will be reunited with their owners at some point.

[potlatch]

If they can't find the original owners, I hope they at least can find good homes for them!

Here is another good story about a man and his dog being reunited;
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1516750/posts

[maxwellp]

Animals can do so much for folks who are depressed. Many years ago a friend of mine had a brother who needed open heart surgery. At that time the surgery was quite new. Anyway he had it, survived, came home and was very depressed. Then his sister came home with a kitten. The kitten and the guy were home alone during the day and the guy started out playing with the kitten and then building toys for the kitten and made a neat bed for the cat. The man finally realized his life could go on and he eventually went back to his full-time job as a carpenter.

[Lady Jag]

Thank God he got something back of his life. So many horrid stories from this year's hurricanes, it's good to see this kind of story. Thanks.

[sweetliberty]

This can't be right. He's white. There were no white people targeted hurt by Katrina. < /sarcasm >

[potlatch]

That's why they have so many animals in Retirement and Nursing homes nowdays. Animals can add so much to our lives and just the act of holding one and petting it can calm us.

[Boazo]

Good News ping!

[potlatch]

The whole story of "Vera" touched my heart, so I was glad to see this reunion. Thanks LadyJ
1

[potlatch]

LOL, white, black or green - reunions with their pets are great to see.

[potlatch]

Bump, thanks Boazo!

[CDHart]

"I think so often about the trauma that poor child must have endured because of that, and the effect that it will likely have on him for some time."

I have also thought about Snowball and his little owner a lot. So far, I've not heard anything. I hope whoever it was that pulled the dog away from his owner realizes the travesty that he perpetrated. I hope it bothers him for the rest of his life.

Carolyn

[HairOfTheDog]

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

[CDHart]

There are many stories re lost animals at www.katrinafoundpets.com. I do not have courage enough to read them all. Perhaps someone here could do that and post more good news. Sorry to be such a coward.

Carolyn

[potlatch]

Thanks HOTD!

[LucyJo]

I know what you mean. It just breaks my heart.

I agree with you about Snowball. I realize that they had to have space on the bus for people rather than animals, but I can't help but believe that Snowball wouldn't have taken extra space. If a ten year old kid was capable of holding the dog in the first place, that indicates that the dog wasn't very large, and that he could have surely done the same on the bus.