Thursday 3/26 Chat

    • Gold Top Dog

    Thursday 3/26 Chat

    Can't come up with a catchy title today, and I didn't want to be dull and mention RAIN in the title again, even though that could be the title from here for the next 7-10 days.

    The 9-alarm fire in Boston and the loss of the firefighters is just heartbreaking.  We checked in with my sister; it's just a few blocks from her apartment.  She smelled the smoke before she heard the fire alarms.   Her office serves the Back Bay area, so they're arranging to make monetary and food donations to that local firehouse.  As she said, that city keeps getting hit with tragedy, yet the way they all pull together makes it feel like a very small community.  I hope the support of everyone there gives some comfort to the families affected by this.  So very sad.

    Also on the topic of a local tragedy, the landslide in WA gets a ton of news coverage here, as you can imagine.  In fact, there was a small landslide yesterday on an OR highway that closed the road for a while.  It's not uncommon, due to the weather and the terrain we have here.  Anyway, I heard a story yesterday that they were re-assessing their plans with the search and rescue groups because the dogs were simply tiring out too quickly because of hard it is to get through the debris and mud.  I was thinking of you, Julie, and how you can appreciate what those teams are going through right now.  What a horrible way to lose a loved one.  They say some may never be found.

    Boy, I didn't mean to post a depressing chat start.  On a much lighter note, I hope everyone is enjoying some signs of spring, even if they're harder to find for those in the cold zones!

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    I have a friend who lives about 20 miles from the mudslide - her vet drove over prepared to "help" and they just couldn't bring much of anyone up (despite screams and tears and barking) and then later no noise at all.  Really heartbreaking.   she did tell that eventually some guy stumbled to Jake with his dog in his arms.  The dog was just full of mud - eyes, nose, mouth, ears .. and he just handed her to Jake saying "Please please save her - she is literally ALL I have left in the world at this moment."    According to Trish, the dog *was* saved.  

    I remember what Charlie went thru after Hurricane Irene but at least he had air to breathe.  Being buried alive would literally be my worst nightmare.  

    It's been such a hard, harsh year.  

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    @calliecritturs
    I remember what Charlie went thru after Hurricane Irene but at least he had air to breathe.  Being buried alive would literally be my worst nightmare.

    I keep thinking about the fear and desperation of those who initially survived but who were unable to be reached in time.  Nightmare is definitely correct.  And to be the loved one's family/friends, knowing they had such nightmarish last moments . . . just awful.  

    I saw coverage of what looked like a chocolate lab being pulled from the debris -- that must've been the story your friend said, Callie.  

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    The loss of life in that mudslide is horrible to contemplate.  I saw the  story about the chocolate Lab they got out of the destroyed house.  It looked pretty happy to be out of there.  Shook off the dust and looked fine.  They said it had a few gashes but nothing serious.  It doesn't sound like the dog Callie is talking about.  I can't imagine not ever finding all the bodies but I guess that's just the reality of the situation.  So sad.  

    We had another rainy morning and we're all thrilled.  Unlike you, Tracy. :)  You usually have way more than wanted or needed and we usually don't have enough.  We got an inch of rain yesterday.  Doesn't sound like much but every little drop helps.  

    • Gold Top Dog

    We had a little rain, a little snow. I haven't been feeling well today - cold, upset stomach.

    Ginger D, however, is doing well. Smile Maybe Missy can walk her tonight.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Tina, so sorry you're not well.  Ginger D can skip tonight's walk. Missy would probably walk her to the shelter. lol  

    • Gold Top Dog

    Wow, chat got a late start today!

    Sorry you aren't feeling well, Tina.  Hope it's a short bug or whatever.  Very glad to hear that GingerD is doing well.

    We're heading to somewhat warmer temps, and two days of rain.  Not thrilled with that, however, should help clear up some of the ugly snow banks.  The darned things are just sooooo depressing and dirty looking.

    I've heard no further news on the Boston situation today....haven't had a second to call my own.  Am hoping that the firefighters who were hospitalized are all stable.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Tracy glad to hear that your sister's apartment wasn't part of the fire. So sad about the firefighters. So tough on the families left behind.

    Then the landslide in Washington. I just can't imagine the horror of that coming down on you. And yes has to be so tiring for search and rescue work, dogs and people both.

    When I was in grade school, I lived in northwest British Columbia and they had part of the highway just totally sink in and washed down the hill side. Fortunately there was no one hurt. It happened outside of our town and so no houses, but it gave a scare to the folks in their cars. Fortunately for everyone, they started feeling the movement and got out of their vehicles and then were able to run to safety. Scary stuff though.

    Hope you feel better soon Tina.

    Had to laugh at Jackie's comment

    "Missy would probably walk her to the shelter. lol"

    Visited a friend of mine in the hospital today, Step-Mom of a girl-friends. She's 87 but has been able to keep herself quite active. Has COPD though and is on oxygen and has been hospitalized a few times these last months...pneumonia or just having a harder time with the COPD. This time though she's coughing up some blood and a couple of spots showed up in the xray. She's being transferred to another hospital tonight, a hospital where they can do a biopsy, so they can find out what is going on. She said that if they find it is cancer that she won't likely do any chemo at this point in her life. If it is her time, I just hope for her that it won't be painful..as we all would like. But of course hoping for good news.