Ready for the Storm

A mandatory evacuation of our neighborhood sent me, my husband and our dog Shadow scrambling to the home of our friends Heather and George in Murray Hill. They extended an invitation that included said dog, despite their pint-sized NYC apartment and a jungle of plants brought in from the patio.

Irene’s wrath bypassed both Murray Hill and Battery Park City, so we fared better than many.  Only slightly soggy, we found a restaurant open for lunch and another one open for dinner. Not much to choose from, so we were lucky to find Resto offshoot, Cannibal, open for lunch and Les Halles, open and waiting for dinner.

Our nights out with friends usually end after dinner, but on this rainy night, we continued the party at the apartment. Two more brave souls, Amy and Laurence, found a taxi to gouge them and bring them over.

The six of us had fun in a way we seldom do these days. And as a result, we ended up bonding closer.

What About the Animals?

I worried about the dogs and cats at Animal Haven as Irene threatened the city. Being evacuees, I was in no position to foster an animal. But Animal Haven managed to find foster homes for every last one of their animals.

Apparently, a lot of bonding was going on in those hunkered-down homes last weekend.

At my volunteer shift Friday, I find Animal Haven eerily quiet. Only two little guys are bedding down in the Intake Room and many corrals downstairs sit empty.

Many of the emergency fosters turned into adoptions and the dogs and cats never returned to the shelter.  Once you’ve gone through a hurricane together, things change, I guess.

My heart-stealer Leo is among the adopted. I am happy that skinny boy found his home.

Despite the open berths, the Animal Haven staff are busy. They are prepping for the next wave of animals coming in—another reminder that there is never a shortage of animals that need rescue and need a home.

Please adopt.