On Friday, December 29, 2006, I left Denver in the threat of an impending blizzard, scheduled to hit only hours after my flight took off. This trip had been delayed once already due to the one of the worst blizzards in Colorado's history the week before, but I was not going to let that happen again -- there were freezing kitties in Hurricane Katrina-ravaged Waveland, MS who needed help, and I was not about to let them down.

I flew to Houston, TX with three duffle bags of donated towels and blankets in tow. There I hooked up with BCRO volunteer and Katrina survivor, Val Spencer. Val, through a friend, Cathy Deskins who works at the Galloway School in Houston, had collected three giant garbage bags full of towels and blankets from the students at the school. Val and I then set out on our trek to Waveland by car, with Val's car stacked to the brim with towels and blankets for some chilly kitties.

Once we arrived in Waveland, Val and I drove through the still-devastated streets and found Susie Pollard's home -- a two-story structure; the bottom floor of which has been given over entirely to her cat shelter. Susie (and her kitties) were absolutely thrilled with the donations and stated that she would be able to help "the entire town's animals" with the towels and blankets.

Sadly, Susie explained that there were many homes ravaged by the hurricane where the owners had left and abandoned the homes. However, the animals who had been left behind still returned to what was once the front porch of their home, still waiting for their owners to return for them. It is these animals whom Susie plans to help with the extra blankets and towels. She takes time to ensure these loyal animals have fresh food and water.

Thanks to all of the wonderful folks who made donations -- both towels, blankets, and money -- for this worthwhile cause, and special thanks to the Galloway School for their incredibly successful, last-minute "towel drive". (A small child came into Cathy's office with one towel and said "Ms. Deskins, this is all I have, but maybe the kitties can share it.")

A final thanks to Carolyn Davis, who donated the cherished towel that her beloved cat, Golden Girl, was wrapped in for her final trip to the vet. The blanket was donated in her honor.

With love and gratitude,