Climbing Out From Under the Rubbage - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

Sorceress_Mage · 12-18-2012, 01:12 PM

I'm sorry to all of those whose threads/posts I usually read. I haven't had any electricity with which to run my computer. Hurricane Sandy really gave us a beating. And I did something with Hero that I would normally be ashamed--so please do not criticize unless you've had similar circumstances.

I live near Breezy Point which was almost completely wiped off the map. The flood waters were about 8 feet and flooded out the basement and part of the first floor in certain sections. Our huge pine tree fell over and took part of our roof and our neighbor's as well. All the electrical wiring and boxes had to be replaced. A lot of my laundry was downstairs as well as a load I had forgotten in my dryer--all gone. No boiler, or hot water and then a month later, we find out that the reason our basement kept flooding was because of the sewer line had been collapsed under our house. Our new car was flooded out and we managed to endure the storm at home. I did want to evacuate, but my better half wouldn't do it. We actually left the Doberman Specialty to be home a day earlier.

We had Hero with us for the first three weeks. I felt safer with him home. However, a friend of Ellyn's son came over to see what he could do for us, and Ellyn forgot to close the gate behind her. Hero ran out and bit the man in the finger and then ran back into the house. I guess he was feeling our stress also and took it out on a stranger. Thank the Goddess that the man was a friend of her son.

Then we find out we have a whole lot of mold in addition. You can even smell it when you enter the home. Ellyn has not been able to handle things well and kept finding problems with keeping Hero there. She was worried about all the people that were going to be tromping through the house and she just isn't coping very well. I was feeling in a hard place and tried to call a friend to see if I could board him. I tried to find places, but most places were either way too expensive or they didn't want him because of his breed and his intactedness. I ended up giving him to the ASPCA for emergency boarding which Rachel Rae has been paying for for the flood victims.

He got so thin there. I found out that they were only giving him two cups a food a day until I talked to the vet there and she upped his food intake. Then kennel cough became a major contention there. I took him back this last Friday and he is snuffling and has laryngitis. I also found out, that despite his having his collar there with his city license, that the vets there reinvaccinated him. They never even saw his collar. He even lost a lot of his toys that I sent him with. I am, however, grateful for their help because living conditions are terrible where I am at, but is slowly getting better. Rapid repair is promising us to get heat by the end of January. That is way too long. Volunteers have been great and emptied out our basement and helped to clean up where the tree came out of the ground. I have respiratory problems from the storm and it does not help because I have too many things on my plate right now.

Just about as the storm was coming, I was going to enter the Secret Santa, but am glad I didn't since I don't know where the money would come from. I can't even replace most of his toys now. And Fema just gave us enough to fix the sewer--nothing else. We didn't have flood insurance.

I am sure Ellyn, at this point, would be glad if I gave up Hero. But I will not--I take better care of him than anyone else I know would. And I love him like my son.

Most of my days I am so weepy, but I go on. I've always been a survivor before when I was younger and my frame of mind went back there and I was able to do things for us when Ellyn couldn't because of her shock. Sometimes I just don't know which way to turn but then I buck up and go on.

Sam1491 · 12-18-2012, 01:18 PM

Sorry things are so rough

The hurricane really hit hard in some areas, hugs hope and doberkisses to you and hero, hopefully you get things figured out/fixed soon and all is back to a semblance of normal.

Instant Noodle · 12-18-2012, 01:25 PM

Sending positive thoughts your way. I cannot even begin to imagine what you are going through. Hang in there!

PorschaLei · 12-18-2012, 01:28 PM

Im so sorry to hear. I called your house and left a message if you need help call me. Im off to petco to get hero a little christmas care package. Take care

Porscha and Kratos

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PatchworkRobot · 12-18-2012, 01:33 PM

What a mess!

I'm so sorry that things are so rough but I'm glad that you, your SO, and Hero made it through okay.

vivienne00 · 12-18-2012, 01:42 PM

I am so sorry for this mess in your life - I am not in your situation but think that you have done the right thing all the way thru. So he got a little thin, but you were able to reverse it and bring him home before things got out of hand. I am always amazed at how we treat our dogs better than ourselves. If one of my dogs has the tiniest thing out of normal, I am off to the Vet or spending time "watching closely" and Dog forbid that one of them gets a limp... I myself have useless knees, I wear knee braces when I run agility and train, I have shoulders that scream at me but if I were to allow that to happen to one of my dogs, I would feel terribly guilty.

So I know how you are feeling (a bit anyway), but try to put it in perspective and know that your doberman boy will always love you and I don't think they think any less of us if their lives go off the rails for a while. I am torn when I leave my dog at the vet overnight or for a day, but it all works out fine and I am always told "Yoda was an angel so we let him out and he just stuck with me demanding attention". They are resilient. Just re-read Miracle's story to see how they come thru adversity better than us humans.

Hang in there and give our best wishes to Ellyn.

Toby'shuman · 12-18-2012, 03:31 PM

You are but human, if you do what you can to the best of your ability no one can pour scorn upon your attempts.

So sorry you were affected so badly, but hey, you have come this far, you can make it through to the end.

Sending you positive vibes to you and yours.

MaxsMom · 12-18-2012, 03:56 PM

I could not imagine going thru what you have. You have done the best you can under these circumstances. Sending good vibes your way.
P.S. I am glad you are keeping Hero and I am sure he is too.

**dax0402** · 12-18-2012, 04:26 PM

I am so very sorry for what you are going through from the terrible storm. My thoughts are with you that things will improve each day.

**melbrod** · 12-18-2012, 04:32 PM

I don't see anything you did you need to be ashamed of. Disasters are called disasters for a reason.
Hang in there. And remember you have a network here for support.

monicaei · 12-18-2012, 04:38 PM

Huge hugs from Louisiana. No one should judge, question or otherwise say anything negative about your handling of the situation. No one can understand what a devastating storm is like until they live through one, it's like a post apocalyptic movie you probably can't believe you are living in.

You WILL come out on the other side of this eventually. At some point, years down the road you will see it on some Nat Geo special and just be stunned "did that REALLY happen here?". It will all seem like a blurry bad dream.

Hugs and sloppy dober kisses from my krewe to you guys. The entire Gulf Coast feels your pain.

Capone's Mommy · 12-18-2012, 04:47 PM

I know several of us were worried about you! Glad to see you back!

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GingerGunlock · 12-18-2012, 04:57 PM

Glad to see you! As others have said, I don't think you have anything to be ashamed of. Hopefully your cleanup progresses faster than they projected.

dapple · 12-18-2012, 05:37 PM

Send me your mailing address. I have plenty of dog toys and extras here.
I'd be glad to send some your way!
Hugs.

Adara · 12-18-2012, 06:18 PM

I think we've all been down the path of thinking we made mistakes before. You've been through a lot. Don't beat yourself up. Hang in there. Hope things pick up for you soon!!! if I made myself feel bad for all my mistakes, I'd never smile again

I figure it's only a mistake if we keep repeating it. We learn and move on.

**NOX** · 12-19-2012, 12:13 PM

I've been wondering and hoping you are OK. I live not too far from you and I knew your area was hit bad. I actually met Hero at a match this past summer and I'm glad he has you for a mommy! Sending you a PM

Chelse · 12-19-2012, 12:26 PM

I am glad you guys are ok! Sending positive thoughts

lolonurse · 12-20-2012, 12:21 PM

sorceress... i hope you are still able to get on DT, and you are reading this - i sent you a PM or 2, and would like to talk to you... if you permit me, PM me your phone # (or i can send you mine) or let me know if email or PM is better, so i can contact you. thank you - lois

lolonurse · 12-20-2012, 03:59 PM

folks.. just to let you know that sorceress_mage will let me know a little later about what they might need or be able to use... then I'll let those who PM'd me know asap! Thank you!

**dax0402** · 12-20-2012, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolonurse

folks.. just to let you know that sorceress_mage will let me know a little later about what they might need or be able to use... then I'll let those who PM'd me know asap! Thank you!

Thanks Lois. Will wait to send my package to make sure I am sending things they need.

MaxsMom · 12-20-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolonurse

folks.. just to let you know that sorceress_mage will let me know a little later about what they might need or be able to use... then I'll let those who PM'd me know asap! Thank you!

I will be happy to send a package too. Just give us a list

honda123 · 12-20-2012, 04:47 PM

Sending positive thoughts and energy your way.

You are a very strong person with a big heart to be worried about others and your Beloved Hero.

They are lucky to have you.

lolonurse · 12-20-2012, 08:43 PM

(just wanted to say that I did not mean to hijack this thread...)

Lexi · 12-20-2012, 09:48 PM

So sorry your area was hit so hard. I can't even imagine what you are going thru. HUGS.

Sorceress_Mage · 12-23-2012, 03:27 PM

So sorry it's been a couple of days since I've gotten back online again but it's due to my overwhelming emotions as I read all these messages and the whole outpouring, it seems, of the Dobermantalk community. To say that I am touched is a mega understatement.

We're still a bit rocky, but at least there is hope glimmering ahead and I am too afraid to trust it again and get depressed. However, Rapid Repair is coming after Christmas sometime this week and I am seriously hoping they will provide us with a boiler, etc. I know they cannot do much more that than, but heat is a major thing to me right now. I am glad that we have several sleeping bags that have been keeping all of us warm as well as a space heater that needs to be shut off every once in awhile. Hero is so glad to be home and (is it my imagination) he is even more clingy to me. He is also putting on weight again and is eating me out of house and home to my extreme delight. And Hero is delighted with this community as well as it seems he is having a Christmas!!! That is very cheering in itself. Once again, thank you for all your support and Hero wants to thank you all as well.