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Wed was no better, we had slept very little. We waited for word and the phone rang off of the hook with well wishers. By Thursday we had to fill out a missing persons report to attempt to identify him if he was injured and in the hospital. I posted pictures of Eric in NYC and searched the hospitals in NY. I cannot explain the agony of the days as they passed. We were devastated as Friday came upon us, to look at the kids we just did not know how to tell them what was going on. Anger and sadness became part of our daily lives. Allison took the news very hard, she wanted her father to come home. It took Jacob more time to understand what happened to Eric. Allison immediately worked with an art therapist (Eric's cousin) to get her feeling out. She needed something to love and she expressed that she wanted the yellow lab to love and sleep with. At first we just ignored her statements, but as time went on and the counselors spoke to her they expressed the importance for her to get this animal to love and help her get thru this tragedy. My sister and I met an exceptional dog named Katie. She was with the Red Cross. Katie, was so in tune with my sisters sadness that she immediately went to her and put her head on my sisters knee. My sister's face changed from sadness to focusing on Katie who now had taken a very sad situation and changed it into a positive one. All of this occurred on the ferry trip to ground zero, the area where the towers existed. Katie and Pat were a God sent. Katie expressed such love and compassion such that I had never seen before. My sister focused on Katie instead of the missing towers as the ferry arrived at the financial center. Although there is a lot of bad in the world I believe that God brought us to Katie, Pat, Chuck, Mary Anne and Michael. I wrote to Chuck expressing the situation that our family had endured and hoping that he would be able to help Allison to heal from this tragedy. I never expected how much love, kindness and support would come from the state of Texas. Chuck, our angel, responded to me immediately and stated that he wanted to help in any way. He immediately contacted other owners, friends, etc., and constantly provided support, love and understanding. This couple Chuck and Mary Anne were willing to help a family, a 7 year old little girl named Allison get thru this horrible ordeal, by giving an exceptional gift, one of their children, a yellow lab. Chuck went to work to help get a fence, shipping of the lab, help with the training and food. What a beautiful gift for Allison. Allison was told today about Water Witch and she has in her own words written a letter to Chuck, with some misspelled words but truly from a 7 year olds heart. Allison is so excited, Michael was kind enough to share his dog, Belle with Allie and Jacob on Sunday. God Bless you Michael for all of your love and support! Jacob and Allie talk about Belle all the time. My family and I have learned that even though there is much sadness we were truly blessed with kind hearted and loving people through out the US. All of you have given us a renewed hope in mankind and we now have a new extended family. Words cannot begin to express our sincere gratitude. We will be eternally grateful for all of your support, love and kindness. For fear of repeating myself I truly believe that God sent Chuck and Mary Anne to us as Angels. God has given us Angels on earth called Chuck and Mary Anne. Today was the first month anniversary of the tragedy of the WTC and it was a difficult day to get thru. I know that Eric is up in heaven looking down upon us and he is saying from up above "Thank you for caring for my children." I hope that my letter thru tears has tried to express how we feel in NJ. As I have said previously, words cannot express the extreme gratitude and love that we send to each and every one of you. We gain strength every day and it is caring people like you to help us appreciate all that we have every day. A note to Chuck and Mary Anne, if there is ever anything that I can ever do for you, please be assured that I will be there for you. Always! You have a new extended family in NJ. God Bless you always!! and God Bless you All!!!! Thank you!!! ____________________________________________________________ Rick One of our yellow Labs, Kate, was working at the WTC as a Therapy dog. With her handler, she would meet spouses and families and take them to the WTC. The dogs have an extraordinary effect on grieving individuals, seeming to absorb tears and sadness. We received a heartbreaking email from the sister of a lady with two small children who had lost her husband |
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At this point, it appeared as though we might be short on enough donations to accomplish our goals. Chuck called our local Delta Connection manager, Rick Hutson of ASA, and asked if they would like to help. Rick was enthusiastic about our project but needed a written request from us. The email at the right went to him with the following reply. ASA/Delta decided to make an event of this and arranged for crate decoration and press coverage. We've shipped a lot of Labs but never like pictured above. |
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Pooh in her crate at the airport. |
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ASA/Delta crew decorating. |
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Chuck and Mary Anne enjoying the festivities. |
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"Let's get this show on the road." Seemed to be her attitude. At one point she fell asleep while the crate was being decorated. |