My 911: Sharing on Second Chance

Monday - October 29th
Maria's home caught on fire this morning. She called me in a state of shock, crying hysterically. They believe it was a gas leak. All of her birds are gone, including Abby, as well as 5 foster cats. She of course is devastated. She wanted me to post and let you all know. I will update as I know more.
The fire was mainly in the laundry room / kitchen area, but the fumes were just to much about the birds. She lost 21 birds and 5 cats and a rabbit. I pray they just went to sleep peacefully. I am heartbroken for her and have not stopped crying. I just cannot imagine what she is going through.
She had 4 dogs that did make it. Two were in the back yard, and two the firemen got to in time and were given oxygen. They are at the vets office.
Please, keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She is going to need our support.
Tuesday October 30th
Hi everyone,
I thought I would give you a brief update because I know you are all thinking about Maria. I spoke with her a little while ago. She is at the house. There are people there boxing up almost everything she owns because it is either damaged by smoke or water. She was able to get a few items and articles of clothing and is getting them cleaned. The other items will be placed in storage for the time being and she is not sure when or what she will get back.
She is being very brave though this whole ordeal, but as you can imagine, very, very, heartbroken as well. She is still in shock and I’m sure the days ahead will not be easy. It will take time to heal from the loss of her birds and other pets.
They will have to gut the whole house and rebuild it, so she will have to find a place to rent for the time being. The insurance company is being very fair thank goodness.
In the interim, what she will need is everyday items and some personal things as well, i.e., sheets, blankets, towels, toiletries, dishes, cook ware, glasses, etc.
If you would like to help, as I know most of you do, you can send any of these items to the address provided below. Another thing that might be easier would be to send a Target gift card. She has a Target store right down the street so this would make things very convenient for her.
For now, she is having her mail sent to the following address, as it is a friends business:
The paper ran a story on the fire today, here is the link http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071030/A_NEWS/710300329
She commented to me, “You know I have been rescuing animals for a long time and no one has ever wanted to interview me about it, but now that I have had 30 animals die in a fire, everyone wants to interview me. Sad isn’t it.
Kim
Nelson & Gage Posted: Fri Nov 2 2007 12 54 pm Post subject
May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.
May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.
I received this today and thought of you ... I hope you find some peace and comfort. Our thoughts and prayers are still w/ you.
Dana
I posted on November 5th:
Thank you everyone. I hope Bobo was there to greet them. I too bald when I read his story. It seemed to me that he too didn't get enough time to get love like he always deserved. I was and am so prepared to love them always and never rehome (except for the fosters that I had) all of them. But i guess in the end they did have a "home" to return to. I just understand why now. why all at once. why this way. I just don't understand. This was always my worse nightmare and now it has come true.
I guess I will have to pray on the answer to my whys.
I know most of you don't think that you have the right words for me, but just saying something to me is what is helping. Knowing that I am understood and cared about and loved is comforting. You all must know that. Having folks phone numbers is helpful especially if you can take calls at night. Night, no bird buddies to play with. That is when I can't take it.
Many of you are reaching out to me and I so so so appreciate it. I feel your email hugs and still need them.
Today, friends from my dog and cat rescue organization that I volunteer for paid to have all the dogs groomed. (Not sure the dogs appreciate it, lol) but since they are all sleeping on my bed, I sure do. They really needed it and still smelled like smoke. So I pick them up pretty soon and they will be happy when I make a big deal out of how beautiful then are.
Many of you are sending donations. Yesterday I went to Target and got some clothes, a rice/veggie cooker, a toaster oven, and some medicine. Today I needed stamps and envelopes. You just don't know what it is like until you go thru it. I am still trying to figure it out. I don't realize that stuff is gone until I need it and then it is the realization all over again that it's gone. But perhaps that is the process. It is a humbling one for sure.
I am grateful for the dogs to be next to me. I am grateful that my family is so big and the internet keeps us so close. I am working with a bird person who lives in England. She is going to help me design a dedication video for me. I don't have the tech skills, just the memories of each special individual that went home to God. It will take a while, but it might be a good way for me to have some closure working on something like this.
Someone from else is helping me to put together a pamphlet about appliance maintenance so I can share with everyone.
And of course my house will be rebuilt as well my life. So that is the update for now. Keep posting. I might not always post because i am crying too much, but I do read and reread them all. especially at night.
I love you all. God Bless.
http://www.goodshepherdpet.com/Grief%20Counseling.htm
M2Mom Posted: Mon Nov 5 2007 8 39 pm
"I'll lend you, for a little while, a bird of mine," He said. "For you to love while he lives, and mourn when he is dead. It may be six or seven years, or maybe twenty-three, But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me? He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and shall his stay be brief, You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief. I cannot promise he will stay, as all from Earth return, But there are lessons taught down there I want this bird to learn. I've looked the whole world over in my search for teachers true, And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you. Now will you give him all your love - not think this labor vain, Nor hate me when I come to call, to take him back again. I fancied that I heard them say, 'Dear Lord, thy will be done.' For all the joy this bird shall bring, the risk of grief we'll run. We'll shower him with tenderness and love while we may, And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay. And should the angels call for him much sooner than we planned, We'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand."
~Author unknown
HelloBaby Posted: Wed Nov 14 2007 1 25 am
I'm so glad to hear that you're settling in somewhere. I'm hoping you can breathe a little now. Even if there are occasional bouts with tears, breathe. It seems that your animals have given you a rare and wonderful gift - finding out that all humans are not bad - just as they found through you.
I posted: Mon Nov 26 2007 4 22 pm
I spent the holiday with Kim and her birds. I had a wonderful time getting away from it all. And good thing I did, because I wasn't back in town 9 hours when another contractor wanted to speak with me and on a Sunday too. And he wants me to meet him at the property today. I am so sick and tired of walking though and around that burned out house! But who else is going to make those decisions.
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I am certainly thankful for my newly discovered friendships that I have met through this troubled times. Today, I picked up the mail and to my surprise was a wonderful card and donation from Second Chance. I am redoing my foundation and going to add a bird room off of my bedroom. So all cash donation are "going to the birds" sort to speak. Thank you all very much.