Tropical Storm Allison started raining on Galveston Tuesday, June 5, 2001. Thursday, June 7, the storm moved over the Houston area and when the rain ended two days later, on Saturday, June 9, rainfall amounts were being measured at anywhere from 20 to 30 inches all over town. We're used to parts of Houston flooding at any given time; we're not used to the entire area, from Humble to Katy, from Galveston to Conroe, being underwater. Every major roadway was nicknamed, from Lake I-45, to Lake I-10. Water canals dissected Houston, with boats being the only mode of transportation. This was one flood that affected, somehow, every life in the Houston area. And then, a short 3 months later, on September 11, our world exploded. Reports of flood victims gave way to reports of thousands of lives lost, of unimaginable devastation, of terrorism, of military men and women being call up for active duty. These two events, the Houston floods and the Sept. 11 bombings, should have nothing in common. One was an act of nature, one was the act of man. Except both events greatly impacted the life of a young Airedale named Sassy. In October, Ellana Livermore (Houston Rescue Coordinator) received a frantic call from a young man in Huntsville, north of Houston. He had a 2-year-old Airedale, Sassy, and he had to find a place for her. He had been recalled into the Navy because of Sept. 11. He'd had Sassy only since June. Her owner in Houston had been flooded out, was homeless, and had needed to find a home for Sassy. That's how Sassy ended up in Huntsville. And now, because of two unrelated events, Sassy again needed a new home. Through no fault of her own, this young Airedale was being uprooted again. Remember back to October. Our world was chaotic, and Rescue was no different. Here in Houston we all were fostering two rescues, as well as normal tending to our own dogs. Sassy spent some time with Lee and Sandi, some time with Rubin, and finally was able to land at Jim and Ellana's for long-term fostering. All of this moving around was not helping Sassy. Since June she had been in five places. We all knew she'd had too much upheaval in her young life. She needed to stay put for awhile. Sassy lived up to her name. Sassy was willful, Sassy had no manners and tested Jim and Ellana's patience daily. We wondered if Sassy was acting out because of all the relocations, or if Sassy had never been given boundaries, had never had the training it takes to live in polite society. Ellana sent out a desperate call for help to other Airedale owners. The best advice Ellana received was “Change her name. It's the same as naming a dog Trouble or Brat. You're just asking for it.” So Sassy became Sally. In fact, she became Long Tall Sally, in honor of her beautiful proportions. And the transformation slowly began. Sally realized she didn't have to test Jim and Ellana everyday. She could be bad and she would be allowed to stay. They weren't moving her; they weren't giving up on her. Over the next few months, Sally calmed down and started listening, started focusing. Sally was becoming a wonderful companion, a lovable Airedale, and Jim and Ellana soon realized it was time to find Sally a forever home. In February we received an application from a family who had lost their 14-year-old Airedale in December to cancer. They were hoping to adopt a young Airedale girl. Could this family be Sally's forever home? Ellana and Sandi decided to do the home visit together, taking Sally along. If nothing more came of it, it would be a chance for more socialization for Sally and a nice outing for all as the family lives north of Houston on Lake Conroe. Sally went for a visit, and Sally stayed. Sally was instantly comfortable with the family, romping with the kids, helping mom make lunch in the kitchen, making goo-goo eyes at dad and resting her head on his knee, stealing half a sandwich from the son (sigh; she had it gobbled down before any of us could react). Sally needed this family, but they needed her also. Their hearts still ached from the loss of their Airedale Teddy in December. Sally had found her home and the Nichols once again had an Airedale to love. There was just one more change to be made before Sally/Sassy's saga would be over. It seems a family member is named Sally, and the family didn't want the sister to come when they were calling the dog, so Sally (the dog, not the sister!) is now named Roxie. From the Houston floods, through the turmoil of Sept. 11, to life on a lake, Roxie is home. Finally.
3/14/2002
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