WHEN LASSIE CAME HOME

The story of Lassie and Lassie’s return to New Orleans in late June 2006, more than any other we’ve encountered, touches many of the issues that have evolved from the Katrina animal rescues.

Animal reunions were simple tales pre-Katrina. A family’s pet was lost. Maybe it scooted out of the yard or dashed out of a kitchen door left ajar. Owners would knock on neighborhood doors, post flyers, run ads in the local paper or go to the local animal shelter looking for their lost pet. With persistence and time, often times the animal would be found, the pet would return to its familiar environment and the world would go one, owner and pet reunited at last.

Katrina of course was more than just a door left ajar. Debates raged and continue to in the animal welfare community over stories of lost and reunion. What constitutes a good home for an animal? How does Louisianans fare in how they care for their animals when compared to the rest of the country? How much does income, education and cultural differences play into the equation. Are a greater income, higher education and a progressive society a necessary component in being a good pet owner? Who should be held accountable for what happened to the many animals during Katrina? Are animals simply considered “property” or family members? What value can you place on an animal’s life? Is love enough when it comes to caring for an animal? If you evacuated without your pet, does that mean you never deserved them in the first place? Should New Orleans residents be looked upon as poor pet owners and undeserving of owning another animal? These questions become more complicated or, in the opinion of many, black and white, when you consider that 95% of animals in Louisiana are intact and that a substantial percentage that were rescued were discovered to be heartworm positive.

Separated by Katrina

Betty and Russell DeRogers didn’t own a car so riding out the storm in their home was really their only option. Going to a shelter of last resort was unthinkable. It would mean leaving behind their two pets, a 4-year-old male Collie, Lassie, and their 5-year-old Shi Tzu, Pooh. As Russell explained, Betty would be heartsick to leave without them.

In a story recalled by so many who survived the unimaginable, the waters filled their 7th Ward home at a pace even faster than a tub being filled with bath water. Lassie and Pooh paced nervously back and forth in the house. They sensed something was terribly wrong. Russell put Lassie on the family’s bed, until even that began to rock and sway in the whirlpool of water. Betty held Pooh in her arms. As the water continued to rise up to Russell’s chest, he hoisted Betty and Pooh onto the kitchen counter. Betty couldn’t swim and due to Pooh’s small size they were afraid he would drown quickly in the floodwaters. Meanwhile, Lassie and Russell swam in their home just to keep their heads above water. The family hung on like this for hours, too long to count.

When rescuers from Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries finally arrived what should have been an answered prayer would become yet another nightmare. Accepting a helping hand was like being pulled up by a double-edged sword. If they were to be rescued, they would have to leave Lassie and Pooh behind. Betty could hardly survive having to make such a decision. Russell tried to assure her that someone would come back to get Lassie and Pooh. They left Pooh in the highest spot they could find in the house and prayed that Lassie’s size would work to his advantage.

Moved To Help

Lois Lerner, an upper level executive with the Internal Revenue Service was moved, saddened and horrified by what she saw unfolding on her television screen as tragedy upon tragedy emerged from the storm’s aftermath. She felt compelled to not just mourn from afar but to come down and help. Lois recalled sitting on her front porch crying to her husband, overcome with the feeling the she and her family were incredibly fortunate and that “how in the end we are all just people at the mercy of forces beyond our control.”

After unsuccessful attempts to volunteer through a government program in place at her office, she received an email from her local humane society looking for contributions of items to take down to the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, the point of rescue operations that was established by the LA/SPCA immediately following the storm. Lamar-Dixon, an equestrian center located in Gonzales, Louisiana, 60 miles west of New Orleans, was transformed into the largest post-disaster sheltering operation in history. “I started hearing about people who wouldn't leave their animals and about others who were forced to, and I know how much my dog means to me and I thought I could help both the animals and the owners who had to leave them.” So in mid-September Lois took personal leave from work, left her home in Maryland and traveled to Gonzales.

In a setting teeming with barns full of rescued animals, one immediately stood out to Lois. Lassie, a classically beautiful Collie, reminded Lois of her own 4-year-old Golden Retriever, Harley, who also had a long coat of hair. Lassie was so thin his entire body width was almost equal to the width of his lean muzzle. He was a sliver of his original self. Lassie had been found by rescuers three weeks after his humans had been rescued. He was surviving, but barely. [Months later it was confirmed that Pooh, their Shi Tzu did not survive].

As fate would have it, on the day Lois met Lassie, plans were underway to transport him to the Montgomery County Humane Society in Maryland for further treatment and recovery. Montgomery County was Lois’ local humane society. Lois asked if she could foster Lassie upon her return Maryland and arrangements were made. Lassie required not only intensive IV therapy; he was also suffering from a severe case of heartworm previously untreated.

When Lassie was rescued from his 7th Ward home, rescuers also found a list of phone numbers in Betty and Russell’s home. That list traveled with Lassie to Lamar Dixon. Lois was ultimately given that list and when she returned to Maryland to care for Lassie those numbers would be the key to finding Lassie’s family.

A New Life

Lassie, like so many animals, was transported hundreds of miles to a place where people were standing by ready to help the Katrina animals entering their communities. Lassie spent a couple of weeks in a veterinary clinic where he continued with his therapy and gradually began to regain his weight and strength. When his condition was stabilized Lois was able to bring him to her home and introduce Lassie to her husband, her two teenage kids and Harley. Lois’ took all the steps recommended when introducing a new pet into the home. She employed gradual introductions, made sure Lassie and Harley were familiar with one another’s scents, fed them separately and the like. Harley handled the new member of the family well and so began life with Lassie. Lassie had a delicate stomach and he still required heartworm treatment but he seemed to be bouncing back from the trauma of having almost died. He was getting back to his normal weight, he was surrounded by love and he had a great home to boot. He adapted quickly to playing in and running around the family pool. He enjoyed walks off leash in the nearby dog park where he wowed folks with his TV Lassie good looks and gentle personality. That he was a Katrina dog made him all the more special. Lois never exploited that however. She turned down interviews from those that wanted to spotlight this very special Katrina dog. For Lois, Katrina may have brought them together but more than anything he was simply a loving, sweet dog who stole her heart.

Soon after Lois returned to Maryland and even as Lassie was getting settled into his new life, Lois began dialing the numbers on the list that rescuers had retrieved from Betty and Russell’s home. Many of the numbers were New Orleans phone numbers but of course they were all non-working, either ringing nowhere or simply disconnected. Lois forged ahead. Finally she called a long distance number in Chicago. A woman answered the phone and Lois attempted to quickly explain who she was. She didn’t know who she was trying to find but only that she had a Collie that had been rescued from New Orleans. The voice on the other end was understandably resistant and suspicious of some stranger from Maryland calling about a dog from New Orleans. Finally though the woman relaxed and realized the call was legitimate. She was the sister-in-law of Russell DeRogers and yes, Betty and Russell had a Collie. They were evacuees from the storm and they were now living in Chicago with relatives.

When Russell shares the story, his soft-spoken nature almost camouflages the excitement he and Betty must have felt when they got the news that their Lassie was still alive. “Betty was worried sick and all she could think about were Lassie and Pooh during this entire time,” Russell explained. Indeed, Betty was more than worried. She was tremendously heartbroken and could barely get through a day. No one knew about Pooh’s fate at this time, but the news of Lassie gave Russell and Betty a glimmer of hope, the first they’d had since their life had been ripped away from them.

It was October when Lois found Betty and Russell. Like the other thousands of people that were displaced by Katrina, the DeRogers had no idea when they might be able to return to New Orleans. In Chicago, they were staying with relatives and it wasn’t possible for them to keep a pet in their current living situation. So like any other pet owner who is committed to keeping their pet they began looking for a place of their own where they could be reunited with Lassie. Unfortunately, the DeRogers couldn’t find an apartment that would take Lassie, so all agreed that Lois would continue to foster Lassie and return him to the DeRogers once they were able to re-settle in New Orleans. Over a nine-month period Lois and Lassie’s owners stayed in constant contact. In late December Betty returned to New Orleans and Russell returned the following month. Finally, in June 2006, they had settled into a new home and they were ready to bring Lassie back into their home.


The Journey Home

For Lois, Lassie’s “foster mom,” it has been one of the most difficult things she had to do. She had fallen in love with Lassie and returning him was a separation that tore her apart; but she had made a promise and her role was to foster Lassie not to keep him. She had concerns though. The DeRogers still didn’t have a vehicle, it was hurricane season again and like everyone else she feared what would happen should they have to face another evacuation. There was another concern. While Lassie had successful heartworm treatments, it was crucial that he remained on heartworm preventive medicine for the rest of his life. He needed good, regular medical care. Lassie also had a bout of urinary tract infection and he was saddled with a delicate stomach. Lois also worried about the condition of the city. Understandably, people from out of state often ask, – what is it like in New Orleans now? Is it really okay there?

Near the end of June Lois packed her car with Lassie, his crate, food, toys and bowls; and with a friend traveling with her for emotional support, she drove non-stop from Maryland to New Orleans. When she arrived at Russell and Betty’s new home in Gentilly, Russell had already left for his job at a nursing home but Betty was there waiting for Lassie. Betty was overjoyed. She couldn’t believe she was seeing Lassie again after all they had been through, after all those months. Lassie warmed to Betty and seemed to remember her. It was a new home for Lassie, but he seemed to know that he was in a familiar place. A short time later Russell arrived home from work. Lassie jumped up and bounded forward to greet him. Lassie’s excitement, recognition and happiness were obvious. As Russell described it later, it was just like Lassie used to do everyday when Russell came home for work, before Katrina, before the floods. It was just like old times.

Lois experienced moments of great heartbreak during her two days in New Orleans, trying to hold on emotionally as she let go of Lassie. While here, she found a local veterinarian and made arrangement for Lassie to have a check up, get more heartworm medication. She wanted to create a pattern of good medical care for Lassie here in New Orleans, but she was also conscious of not interfering.

And the DeRogers had their own surprise for Lassie. Three weeks prior to Lassie’s arrival, Russell rescued a puppy from a storm drain near their new home in Gentilly – a little black and brown furry ball of energy, who they’ve named Storm. Russell is going to see how he gets along with Lassie, or if Lassie can tolerate being around a young pup. It’s a work in progress.

The Louisiana SPCA became aware of Lois’ journey with Lassie and the DeRogers reunion when Lois contacted us about the conditions of the city in an effort to calm some of her apprehensions. We met Lois, Lassie, Russell and Storm on the afternoon when Lois’ was returning to Maryland, her last day with Lassie. It was a day full of goodbyes and for Russell it was a new beginning. He and Betty had patiently waited all these months. They were giving and as patient as anyone could be.

Lois plans on staying in touch with the DeRogers. She made sure that Harley and Lassie have the same date for their monthly heartworm treatment. Lois will try not to intrude on the DeRogers family but she plans to call each month with the reminder that it’s “heartworm treatment day.” Lois left with some of the same apprehensions she arrived with but as she said just before telling Lassie goodbye, “I can’t be judgmental. I just love that dog.”

A few days after Lois returned to Maryland we received an email from her giving us an update on Betty, Russell and Lassie. Here’s a portion of Lois’ update:

I called Russell and Betty to find out how Lassie had done the day after I left. It would have been his first day time alone for the whole day and I was worried he might have had an accident because he was used to being able to go out all day. Betty said she had decided to stay home with him that day because it was the first day I was gone and she didn't want him to be lonely.

She also said Russell had spoken to his boss at the nursing home and made arrangements to take Lassie to work with him several days a week. That way Lassie wouldn't be left alone at home all day and the nursing home residents would be able to pet him and enjoy the warmth and attention of a great dog-sounded like a win/win to me. She also told me they were giving him only bottled water because they know he has a sensitive stomach and they didn't want to make it worse. All those things give me comfort. I know they can't give Lassie what I can, but I also know they love him and will care for him. “

This is Lassie’s story, one of compassion, understanding and a unique bond. It sounds a lot like that amazing gift we say animals can teach us everyday – unconditional love.

Gloria Dauphin, Louisiana SPCA

Back to Journeys, Ticks and Tails