Animal Rescuer Committed Suicide Lastweek (NOLA)

[funkybutt]

Her Obituary
http://www.legacy.com/nola/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=18017409

Her Friend's Blog
http://katrinacreaturesandcrittters.blogspot.com/

"On May 31, 2006, my friend Shannon made what must have been the most painful decision of her young life: that is, to end it. She left behind so many that loved her not only for the things she did, but for who she was. She was a champion of champions, always fighting the fight for even the tiniest of All God's Creatures."

[im10ashus]

1. That's so sad.

I hope she finds solace in her next life.

[idgiehkt]

51. oh my god. (link to ARNO in my sig line, where Moore worked.)

I saw this on the ARNO site and had no idea it was a suicide. Many, many people who did animal rescue down there are suffering from PTSD.

I am stunned. I had no idea, because no details were given. I thought it was a car accident or something.

[Radio_Lady]

93. I wish I believed in a next life. Suicide is sad, IMHO, because it is the

absolute end. At age 36, it is very, very sad. Rest in peace, Shannon. You must have been very tormented to do away with yourself like this. The irony is that you choose my birthday to do this difficult deed.

[Benhurst]

2. How sad. A great loss for us all. NT

[Che_Nuevara]

3. ummm ...

"She was instrumental in rallying grassroots support and awareness for the Louisiana Pet Evacuation Bill so that pet owners would never again be forced to abandon their pets in the event of a disaster. She was a driving force behind the People & Pets March to the State Capitol steps this spring, part of a coordinated non-stop push for passage of the bill."

Our government couldn't even properly evacuate people, let alone their pets.


"Although her possessions had been damaged by Katrina, Shannon's response was to focus on saving the lives of hundreds of the thousands of hurricane stranded animals. She immediately volunteered for food/water programs to sustain displaced pets and strays in the streets."

People are starving, dehydrating, and drowning, and there are rescue and feeding programs for dogs? Yeah, it's sad when pets die. It's more sad when people die. That water could have been used better elsewhere.


ON EDIT: No disrespect intended, but think about all that for a minute.

[poverlay]

6. Are you saying that she took lifesaving water from people to give to pets?

I don't know the story, but that seems hard to believe.

[shireen]

10. that is total BS. Absolutely not true! n/t

[uppityperson]

52. IF Che wishes to become eduated rather than callously assuming, go here

http://www.animalrescueneworleans.com/
perhaps learning about what is going on might help you.

[petersjo02]

8. Is there any reason this has to be an either-or situation?

Seems to me there are many organizations dedicated to helping humans, although they didn't do the greatest job, granted. There is room in most people's minds and hearts and pocketbooks to help organizations who help pets as well as humans. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case with you. It never ceases to amaze me (although it shouldn't) how quick certain people are to bash or disallow the validity of groups and individuals who work to save pets right along side groups who are working to save humans. Maybe the answer is the proposed legislation that would require planning to evacuate/manage pets along WITH their people. There are many facets to disaster management. All facets must be addressed in order to have a workable plan in place, and you have likely not been asked by the major players in such scenarios to set the agenda on this issue. Fortunately others, with broader views of humanity (yes, humanity as it relates to all living things,) will be working side by side to plan for future disasters. Having a goal of saving humans in no way negates the validity of working to also save pets. The goals are not mutually exclusive, although you try to present them as such.

[Che_Nuevara]

21. In a better world

in which there had been enough water, enough helicopters, enough money, and enough time, it would be a totally different story. But there wasn't enough water, and there weren't enough people searching, and there certainly wasn't enough money. The two goals ARE exclusive if there aren't enough resources to do both.

[petersjo02]

39. In a better world,

FEMA would have delivered the water they were supposed to deliver to NOLA instead of refusing it and shipping it back to main. Unless you have proof otherwise to offer, I suspect that no humans died as a result of animal rescue efforts, although I suspect there were humans who died because they refused to leave their pets. Feel free to pick and choose who or what gets your very limited measure of compassion, but many of the rest of us will strive to be sure that all living beings can be rescued next time. Keep your belittling, demeaning thoughts to yourself. Unless you went to NOLA and actively worked to rescue humans, you don't have a leg to stand on.

[shireen]

43. sadly, true

... although I suspect there were humans who died because they refused to leave their pets.

It happened. I saw one specific case on CNN -- a woman would not leave, she and the dog rode out the hurricane in the bathtub. The family returned to find the dead dog, but the woman was missing, her body had been recovered but got lost in the morgue. I don't know how it got resolved. I've also heard second-hand reports of people who died because they would not leave their pets. Because of it, when Rita headed for Galveston, the mayor made the wise decision to allow pets to be evacuated with their humans.

Pets are family.

[roguevalley]

79. I would die with my boys. Little dachshunds who give me so much

every day, I would die with them. My pets made me a better person. They give me everything without the prospect of return.

[shireen]

102. it's an extraordinary gift

Pet-people bonds can be very powerful. It's a special kind of communication and love that transcends words. So it really bothers me when someone, who does not understand that relationship, trivializes it. Those who love animals know what I mean ....

You've very very fortunate to have those sweet little boys.

[tblue37]

112. I would never leave my cats. (eom)

[itzamirakul]

120. I have a fat little toy poodle girl and I have already planned different

ways of carrying her out of NYC if we are forced to evacuate again. We were evacuated twice during 911 and I carried her in a backpack on the ferry to NJ and back. If the place ever floods though, I've even tried to think of ways to carry her on my head. I love my 11 year old baby and she loves me...unconditionally.

[shireen]

121. for floods, how about a small child's raft?

or small inflatable boat or kiddie pool. that way you can pull her along in the water. But you'd have to be really careful yourself about walking in flooded water because manhole covers would be washed away and it's dangerous if you step into one of those holes. Best to leave before the flood hits ... and if you need a place to stay, PM me and come on down to Baltimore. :)

[itzamirakul]

133. Thanks for caring and for the invite, Shireen...

If it comes to that, you just may have some company...:)

[suffragette]

70. There were and are plenty of those resources in the U.S.

Bush and his administration and the agency he purposefully broke (FEMA) made the choice not to allow those resources to be mobilized and provided to the citizens of our country in a timely manner.
Don't cast blame on the people who were making every effort to make the situation there better.
Cast it on the people who allowed it to take place.

[iverglas]

104. In a better world

you would know what you're talking about.

First, though: people who make choices about what to do with their own, private, personal time and money are not normally denounced for not doing something else. Particularly, I would point out, by people who did nothing at all themselves.

Second, the animal-rescue operations came AFTER the main people-rescue operations ... what there were of the latter. No one was flying into New Orleans to rescue pets while people sat on rooftops dying of thirst.

In a world in which there will be scarce resources, or at least scarce available resources, for the foreseeable future, choices have to be made when spending public money, and people's lives have to be the priority.

But for the rest of everything that needs doing in this world, we all tend to have different priorities. And given that there is nothing actually reprehensible about rescuing doomed animals -- and not only because the animals were so important to so many people who had already lost everything else -- I won't be at the front of the line condemning anyone who chose to do that. In fact, I gave some money to an organization doing it.

There is in fact loads enough money in the US to conduct search and rescue operations for human beings whenever they are necessary, your assertion to the contrary. Criticism regarding anyone's priorities, in this situation, should probably be directed at whoever was responsible for there not being enough money available for that purpose. And whoever voted for them.

[Hidden Stillness]

12. Hating Animals Does Not Equal Liking Humans

"No disrespect intended, but...."

This is an example, yet again, that just because someone hates animals, doesn't mean they like humans, although that is their pretense. Let me get this straight: you have never heard of this person before, you are reading of the sad tragedy of suicide for the first time here, and the FIRST thing you do, is criticize the deceased person, for what she loved and cared about, and what she did. "It's sad when pets die. It's more sad when people die." Then why did you give no compassion, at all? People are tolerable to you, until they do what you don't want.

If the FEMA and etc. types in New Orleans had taken the animals, the humans would have survived; they died because they refused to kill their beloved animals by leaving them behind. Not helping the animals, killed the humans. You do not even know humans well enough to know that they love animals, and that the best of them will work to save them?

Pretty disgusting when the first notice of someone's death has to be tarnished by the carping of someone who does not like what people are.

[Che_Nuevara]

23. I offer all my compassion and sympathy to

all the people who were close to her, who loved her, whose lives have just been deeply affected and probably scarred.

I don't hate animals. I also don't love all humans. I love some of 'em. But I think people who commit suicide are selfish. Besides, if she really did commit suicide, then she doesn't need compassion because she got what she wanted. It's everyone who cared about her who needs something right now.

[shireen]

29. you don't know anything about compassion and sympathy

You claim to have compassion, yet spew garbage like that. You clearly don't understand anything about depression and suicide, and the kind of deep pain associated with it. Shannon was one of the most selfless people I've ever known. To call her selfish is absolutely sickening and outrageous.

Suicide is NOT a selfish act. It's the people who call it a selfish act who are truly selfish.

[Che_Nuevara]

88. You don't know anything about ...

... me? What makes you think you know the first thing about what I am, what I know, or what I think? I'm proud to say that nobody on this site knows a damn thing about what I actually believe or feel, mostly because I don't feel the need to justify myself, and just a little bit more because I'm not convinced anyone who regularly reads this site would understand it.

As for what I know about depression, it happens to run in my family. Have you ever heard of the 'suicide gene'?

[Marie26]

32. Selfless acts

People can often become depressed & despondent after a traumatic situation. She'd devoted herself to helping animals left in NOLA, and saw the worst of the horror after the hurricane - the destroyed homes, despairing people, bodies, & animals she couldn't save. That would haunt anyone, especially someone as sensitive & caring as she appeared to be. Dismissing it as "selfish" shows a real misunderstanding of the ways that people cope with tragedy.

Some hurricane evacuees still living with traumatic stress - http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060606/NEWS01/606060323/1002/NEWS

[Ladyhawk]

37. You know NOTHING about what it's like to feel suicidal.

Let's see: doesn't like animals...check; has no compassion for those suffering from mental illness...check; ignore button...check. Buh-bye!

[Genki]

47. thank you, Ladyhawk

You said it perfectly. :hug:

[Ladyhawk]

69. Backatcha

:hug:

[Che_Nuevara]

85. Once again,

a person who believes they know exactly how I feel and think. Once again, could not be more wrong.

[progmom]

96. right on, ladyhawk

very well said :hug:

[BrklynLiberal]

116. That is exactly what my immediate reaction was.

:thumbsup:

[Exultant Democracy]

44. May 10, 2006 Shannon wrote:

"You just summed up things there that I could never write
People don't understand and I feel so lost
I keep telling myself I can't take this anymore
I feel like I will break in half
I don't know how to fix everything and I am getting more frustrated every day
I don't know what else to do
I have quit my job
we will probably lose everything we have left
I am just at a weird point and my tolerance is very low
WHY is every thing so hard?
Home just is not home and I don't know if it will ever be
I can only take one day at a time I just hope I have enough days left in me!"

You can't spare her some compassion?

[roguevalley]

80. suicide is selfish? most people aren't in a state of mind that is

reasonable when they die. its reasonable to them but its not normal. calling suicides selfish is wrong. its the end result of unbearable despair. nothing more.

[uppityperson]

91. OK, I agree with you here, partially.

Give you the benefit of the doubt about upthread posts, perhaps you didn't know what the animal rescue was/is about (not about taking resources from people). I will seperate that from this, try to respond to only this.

I agree with you partially here, offer my sympathy to those of us surviving, since yes, Shannon is dead. I feel very bad about her getting to the point that suicide was her only option, very sorry for her. On the 1 hand, people who commit suicide are selfish, care more to stop their pain than about continuing on as they feel they are for the sake of others. However, I understand with sadness. I am sorry that life comes to this sometimes, and am sorry for the whole kit and kaboodle, the after effects of Katrina is NOT over, goes on in ways that are not immediately obvious. It all just sucks.

[shireen]

113. respectfully disagree

On the 1 hand, people who commit suicide are selfish, care more to stop their pain than about continuing on as they feel they are for the sake of others.


So, here's the question: who do I live for? Myself? Or for others?
If I live for others, is it because other people/animals/causes are much more important than myself?
If I live for myself, is it because my goals and desires are my most important reasons for living?

In normal day-to-day conditions, most of us find a healthy balance between being overly altruistic and overly selfish.

But when a person is hurt, the immediate reaction is to seek relief from the pain. Even the most sensitive generous person has limits to how much pain he or she can endure. Imagine a despair so deep and overwhelming that it makes living impossible, even for the sake of loved ones. That's how horrific depression can be. It also clouds rational thought processes which is why it's critical that people with depression, be it mild or severe, get IMMEDIATE medical help.

Physiologically, depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain that can be treated with medication to alleviate its oppressive symptoms. Psychotherapy is also a critical component of treatment to analyze the events that often trigger depression. Some unlucky people are born more predisposed to depression than others. It can also be occasionally triggered by other physiological conditions like child birth (postpartum depression) and menopause. Sadly, we have a medical system that does not take mental health illnesses seriously; way too many people are not getting the treatment they desperately need.

However, not all people who commit suicide are depressed; most terminally-ill people who choose assisted suicide arrive at that decision rationally, to end their lives with dignity, on their own terms.

Suicide is a very complex issue, and each case is unique. For that reason alone, it should not be generalized as a selfish act. We do not know the innermost thoughts and feelings of a person who took his/her life, so we don't have the right to judge them for that decision.

Just my 2 cents ....

[BrklynLiberal]

117. I applaud your insight and analysis.

:thumbsup: :hi:

[shireen]

122. thanks ..

:hug:

[uppityperson]

130. Hi Shireen, good writing and I agree with you here

I wrote what I did meaning about depression and suicide, looking back I did not mean all suicides. "selfish" is a tough one to accurately describe since it has so many different meanings. You wrote well what I think also, so will not restate since you did so well.
("So, here's the question: who do I live for? Myself? Or for others?
If I live for others, is it because other people/animals/causes are much more important than myself?
If I live for myself, is it because my goals and desires are my most important reasons for living?" )

I have helped my terminally ill parent commit suicide so yes, I know about that also. Just wanted to say thank you for your thoughtful post.

[aaronbees]

132. outstanding post

As someone who's felt that pain and tasted that despair, I'm glad there are folks like you who see clearly and non-judgementally how confusing depression can be in the minds of those who feel it.

My heart goes out to this woman's friends and family :(

[Kerrytravelers]

123. Humm.... compassionate huh?

I know of another guy who claims to be "compassionate." He resides somewhere on Pennsylvania Avenue...

Just saying. :shrug:

[NMMNG]

126. Anyone who calls suicide a "selfish" act

or a person who commits it "selfish" obviously knows nothing about sucidality or mental illness. (Studies have shown that over 90% of people who commit suicide have 1 or more psychiatric disorders at the time of their suicide.) Mental illness and suicidal feelings are hell. Those who trivialize them only make matters worse.

[Lorien]

128. Amen Buffy

I've suffered with severe depression off and on my entire life. When one is in such a state, one will do ANYTHING to stop the pain of living within one's own mind. It's a state that is impossible to convey to anyone who has never suffered clinical depression. When I've been in that mindset myself, I've viewed suicide as a SELFLESS act, believing that removing myself from the population would unburden those in my life-that I was nothing more than a negative drain on all of them. I feel nothing but sympathy and sadness for Shannon.

[never_get_over_it]

13. I imagine

that you have never known the love of a pet or pets or you wouldn't have written somethng so completely stupid and cruel given the situation at hand. Many people, I for one, would NEVER EVACUATE without my animals so if legislation is needed to facilitate this it is a good thing. And as for the food and water programs - what on earth is wrong with providing these for both people and animals.

Your lack of understanding and empathy sadden me.

[Che_Nuevara]

25. Then your imagine is overactive.

I have lived with dogs since I was three years old, and loved all of them as an important part of my life. My life would be a lot different without my beautiful, faithful dog.

But my dog ain't a person. And it seems, given your post, that if you and I and our dogs were somewhere and a disaster struck, well, you would probably be dead afterwards, and I would not.

[grace0418]

40. Humans are animals. Maybe we're elevated in some way by our

intelligence (although sometimes I question that). But if we are indeed elevated by our intelligence then we owe it to other animals, our planet and ourselves to act as stewards and protectors of living creatures. Especially when those living creatures are living in our homes as part of our families. Especially when the disaster was compounded by the actions of humans (actions ranging from allowing global warming to increase the incidence and severity of storms to lack of proper maintenance on the levees to lack of proper preparedness for such a disaster). For some people, asking them to leave their pets is like asking them to leave behind a sibling or child or best friend. Because you cannot comprehend that level of devotion and you consider your dog to be just a nice thing to pet when it's convenient for you, doesn't give you the right to shit on what this girl was trying to do.

[roguevalley]

82. humans are animals, no more or less than others. to elevate one

above the other is bullshit from 'dominion over' the world. this kind of thinking makes it easy to choose development over little fish or frogs because humans are more important, right? my dogs made me better, more empathetic and more humane than I would be without them. I ache in my heart for her and the babies she didn't help. I hope dogs and cats met her in the mystery beyond. to be loved by an animal trumps most experiences people can have.

[BrklynLiberal]

14. That is just about the coldest, most heartless post I have ever read on DU

I am very grateful for the IGNORE button.

[Thtwudbeme]

15. You have to expect it; sadly some people are unable to care for both

humans and animals at the same time. It shows a crack in their character though, and a huge gaping hole in their soul.

[BrklynLiberal]

17. It just made my jaw drop..literally.

[Thtwudbeme]

19. lack of humanity does that to me too.

I try not to dwell on it though, it becomes a vacuum that is hard to imagine.

btw--I call them "Skinwalkers."

[BrklynLiberal]

22. Good name. I will remember that.

[Che_Nuevara]

18. Then you must not read the posts very carefully.

[Thtwudbeme]

20. I did. Very carefully.

I was a paramedic for the better part of a decade. Wanna tell me about the value of saving humans?

Instead of being thankful that this young lady did what she could to make the animals comfortable, you come along and say something callous.

Go ahead. Lecture me.

[Che_Nuevara]

26. That message wasn't to you, buddy.

It was to the guy who said it's the coldest message he's ever seen on DU. Which I think is laughable, because there are days when DU is an all-out hate-fest.

[Thtwudbeme]

31. Damn the luck, pal! You posted on a public website! Sucks, doesn't it.

Maybe you should keep your private messages in PM's.

I have been reading DU since they started this website; you needn't bother to tell me about "hate" here.

As far as you are personally concerned, your remark was callous on a thread about a young lady who killed herself.

I wonder if she killed herself because she couldn't stand living in a world where people dole out their compassion sparingly.

Go look in the mirror and ask yourself if you might be part of the problem.

[shireen]

24. what a horrible thing to say!

Some facts: Most of the first animal rescuers were only allowed in about a week after the hurricane, after most voluntary people rescues had been done. Animals have had to fend for themselves for many months after the hurricane hit, and many *still* need help!

I wasn't there but I followed it all very closely and heard many first-hand accounts. You imply that animal rescuers took water meant for people -- this is utter nonsense!!! By the time intensive animal rescue and feeding programs were starting, people had either left the city or were being cared for in shelters.


Your comments are inaccurate, disrespectful and insensitive, and particularly disgusting for a thread in memory of Shannon.

[Che_Nuevara]

28. In shelters ... without sufficient water?

There is still work being done with the people who were evacuated. They're still sick and close to dying, and their city is still being gutted. The people are the ones who "*still* need help!"


ON EDIT: By the way, if you were so concerned with being respectful, you wouldn't name someone you had never met before by their first name.

[shireen]

35. you don't know anything about what went on in Nola.

You still don't know what you're talking about. By the time the intensive animal rescue works ramped up, THERE WAS NO SHORTAGE OF FOOD AND WATER FOR PEOPLE!!! So stop spouting this inaccurate crap!

I have a right to call Shannon by her first name. I worked with her, and worked for her cause. You on the other hand, are making assumptions and insinuations that are totally inaccurate and offensive -- now that's DISrespectful.

That's the last response you're getting from me. I've wasted enough time on you.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. 
[link:www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules.html|Click
here] to review the message board rules.

[uppityperson]

57. reuniting those people with their pets is a great help.

Think about it, you have lost your home, your neighborhood, perhaps family members or friends. You have nothing except the clothes on your back. Months later you are allowed to go back to your home to find black mold infested debris. You have no job, no home, no support system since they are all in the same situation. You try, you clean, you muck, you contact other people scattered all over. You get a call, your cat/dog has been found, is being nursed back to health, can come to you soon. How would you feel?

[txwhitedove]

33. Thanks, Shireen. You nailed the facts...

and shut that idiot down.  As a H.Katrina survivor, I have
been constantly apalled at the ignorant inconsiderate
jokes/remarks of strangers.  What a tragedy that this young
woman gave so much of herself, yet felt such pain and
hopelssness to commit suicide.  My heart goes out to her
family and friends.

[The Stranger]

38. It's real simple - you can't get the people to go without their pets.

They won't go. Further, evacuating pets is in the interest of public health and safety in that it prevents starving animals from becoming rotting carcasses, and because it prevents those that survive from transforming into starving, scavenging animals.

We've been through all of this before.

[roguevalley]

84. imagine the thousands of puppies and kittens that are there now

because animals were abandoned. shortsighted idiocy? yes.

[uppityperson]

87. check out "adopt a pet" on ARNO, 6 month old puppies

animals that are 6 months old. http://www.animalrescueneworleans.com/

[Dora]

41. "No disrespect intended" indeed.

But neither did you intend to post respectfully. A memorial thread is not the appropriate place to voice your criticism.

If you wish to start a dialogue on the subject of animal welfare, then please do so in another place.

Let the dead rest in peace, and allow those who wish to honor their work to do so in peace as well.

[Pharaoh]

42. Animals are people too!

some of ya'll just don't understand that...............

[Che_Nuevara]

89. ........

[Vincardog]

48. FEMA was stopping truck loads of water. If you want to blame someone for

the human suffering blame them. This woman was moved to help people by helping their animals. If you can not see the value in that, I feel sorry for you.

[uppityperson]

49. Pet rescue, food, water is onging now. Get your facts right.

No, she did not take water and rescue help from people. Perhaps you should do some research before posting things like this, or even assuming things like this.

[nashville_brook]

56. people stayed in NO to stay with their pets -- THEIR decision

it would have been mine as well, if i were faced with the choice of leaving my italian greyhounds behind. they are my children. knowing there were people out there caring for abandoned pets gave me a little bit of hope in HUMANITY.

also, if you must be totally "rationalistic" you can look at pet rescue as a means to decrease disease vectors.

we are all family. pets, included.

[Che_Nuevara]

90. If they chose to stay with their pets, then that's their decision.

But the article talks about mandatory animal evacuation. You know, the kind that demands resources by law. If that were to be written into law, and something were to happen to a member of my family in a disaster from which animals were required to be saved, I would spend the rest of my life in a courtroom.

[idgiehkt]

58. they did think about it. then they got off their asses and did something.

what did you do?

NO water or food was taken from people and given to animals...what planet do you live on?

My word.

How dare you criticize a woman for giving selflessly to victims of this tragedy who happen to be non-human. Many, many people died because they made the choice not to leave their animals behind. I suspect there will be many suicides out of this tragedy. I read about one right after the storm where the missing dog belonging to an evacuee had been found, but too late. This man and his family survived, but distraught over his missing pet, he hung himself in the backyard. These rescuers gave these people something to live for when they had lost EVERYTHING else. For that they should be commended. ALL I want if such a tragedy ever strikes where I live is the lives of my family, and that includes my non-human pets. There was no "choice" that had to be made, though people like you always want to frame in those terms for God knows whatever reason. Louisiana already had a disaster plan on the books for the care of animals in a disaster, but they ignored it, instead forcing people to abandon animals, including service animals which are covered under federal law.

But this time, you had to come on a thread where a woman who could not overcome her grief ended her life?? Why...why this one? There are enough threads like this that come up here. Have you no decency, no humanity? Wow, a new low is hit in bad taste. You are no better than the repukes who continue to criticize the funerals of people like Wellstone, and Coretta Scott King, who was, by the way, a VEGAN.

Here are some links to what people like Shannon Moore witnessed, and did not turn away from:
http://www.20questions.tv/kare-animal-killings-in-st-bernard/
one of the animals killed at this school was a service dog who belonged to a young girl who was deaf. She refused to leave this animal behind and was restrained and carried forcibly from the building. The animal has not been found. Thousands of dogs in this parish were shot on sight by police. This was not necesarry. The whole thing was a horror story, for animals and humans alike. There is no logic or truth to the argument that a 'choice' must be made between animals and humans. That argument is ignorant and juvenile, so how about getting yourself a new one.

[smokey nj]

61. I remember a story Anderson Cooper covered during the

aftermath of the hurricane, about a blind woman refused to evacuate because she wouldn't be allowed to take her seeing eye dog. Essentially, she was asked to leave her EYES behind. You are absolutely right this should not be something people about which people are forced to make a choice.

[titoresque]

67. You get the prize!

For most callous, coldhearted bullshit reply I've seen all day.
What did YOU do to help during the Katrina aftermath?!

This woman quit her job and toward the end felt as though she would surely lose everything. So get off your goddamn high horse and get a heart for just one moment.

AND YOU'RE WRONG our Government COULD have done plenty to get food and water and to evacuate those poor souls but they CHOSE not to!

[Name removed]

71. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[flvegan]

86. I wish one could nominate individual posts.

This would get one from me, no doubt.

Thanks for volunteering, too.

[Maddy McCall]

94. You just cannot imagine...

how heroic the animal rescuers were. Long after all of the people had been rescued from NOLA, they went in and continued to save animals. At the Gonzales shelter, we had everything from Amazon parrots to ferrets, snakes, rats, and of course dogs, cats, horses, pigs, goats.

I only worked at the shelter; I didn't go into NOLA to capture animals--yes, the shelter had its problems. But this was the first time that animal networks had taken on a rescue on this colossal of a scale, and they did a good job.

[uppityperson]

95. When I made it into NO mid-Sept, NtlGuard/Animal rescue prevalant

Driving into NO, doing medical run, the most people I saw were Ntl Guard, seconded by animal rescue people putting out traps, trying to catch pets before they went feral. In NO in April, I volunteered a day with ARNO, filling water and food stations around the Upper 9th Ward. Yes, resources could be used for other things, but this is also important to do. Heartbreaking work for caring people.

[flvegan]

110. As a rescuer

myself, I can only try to not imagine the sorrow, but to focus on the efforts of the great folks doing the great work that they give so much of themselves to do.

A classic post, thank you again, Maddy:

"You know what? Just fuck you.

I was a survivor of Katrina AND I volunteered at the animal rescue shelter that was set up in Gonzales, Louisiana. That's where animals were taken after rescue from NOLA. The water at the Gonzales shelter came from tap. Humans and animals were allowed to have all they wanted. Indeed, part of the expo grounds where the animal shelter was located also housed humans who had been rescued from Katrina...many arrived with their pets in hand--and they were able to let the animal shelter care for their pets, which they could pick up after they made new living arrangements. You are pitifully uninformed on what happened after Katrina--or at least not informed enough to condemn one of the people who helped survivors by caring for their animals.

The shelter at which I volunteered had food, water, medicine, crates, collars, and other necessities donated by people all over the United States. None of it came from FEMA. None of it came from governmental entities. It came from people who love animals--including individual citizens and veterinarians from across the US.

Are you aware that many people died in their homes because they refused to leave their pets? If you have no heart for animals, then you cannot understand their decisions.

It is terrible of you to mar this thread with your stupid opinions--your attempt to degrade the work Shannon did is just disgusting.

If you've got a problem with the new legislation, then take it to another thread, but let the people who knew Shannon or who appreciated the work she did have this thread to mourn.

What a jerk you are. Really."

[SiouxJ]

73. Cruel, cold, heartless people

really suck, you know? You won't find people like that involved in animal rescue organizations and that's why I like them.

Why say anything? The woman died. Did your mother not teach you that if can't say something nice, sometimes it's best not to say anything at all?

[roguevalley]

78. Jesus said what you do for the least of me, you do for me. What

she did was heroic and good. Nothing can diminish that. Cats and dogs dying is sad? Its horrifying. A man sat in a tree for nearly a day with his sixteen year old dog in his arms. They got through together. When they came to get him, no matter how he begged, they wouldn't take her. He had to SHOOT her, his own baby, his girl and his friend rather than leave her to die "alone and frantic". Live with that and then say, its sad when cats and dogs die.

[Swamp Rat]

106. I've read all the posts and your responses... you are on the wrong thread.

This thread is for people who care about others and their feelings concerning a tragedy that affected some of us very personally.

Your banal platitudes would be better received at another website.

[Auntie Bush]

124. I can't believe a Democrat posted this! This post sounds like a cold

hearted Republican wrote it. Shameful!

[Lorien]

127. It is disrespectful, and thoughtless

I worked with a group to rescue pets from NOLA and bring supplies to to region. What you fail to comprehend-because you've probably be lucky enough not to experience it yourself-is that for many people their pets are THE ONLY LOVED ONES THEY HAVE. This is especially true for the elderly and those on disability. I can't tell you how many people wrote to us after their pets were rescued, saying that knowing their pets were safe gave them the strength to go on.

This "it's either us or them" bullshit about non-human species has GOT to end. It's not "either/ or" it's "AND". Do you have any idea how hard it was to get rescuers into NOLA, even MONTHS after Katrina? What did you do PERSONALLY to rescue any more important human beings? Shannon was a compassionate human being who put others first, and that makes her worthy of respect and admiration-not cold hearted criticism.Our hearts should not be so limited in their capacity for compassion and love.

[survivor999]

4. Did she leave a note or something?

Whay did she do it? She seemed so young and together... Very sad...

[AlienGirl]

27. Perhaps because in this world, her efforts are believed to be foolish

I can totally empathize with her. The effort she devoted her life to is considered by so many to be a silly waste of time and resources that perhaps she felt the world had no use anymore for the soft-hearted and the compassionate. We have entered an age where hardness is taken for virtue and compassion for weakness; and those who cannot conform to these new standards may well despair.

Tucker

[funkybutt]

125. Nothin Easy in da Big Easy

now

It's really much harder to rebuild our lives here than one might think.

Had someone told me 9 months ago how hard this would be, I dont' know what I would have done. Everything is so slow. You can't do anything, can't get anything done..constantly banging your head against the wall. Everything takes way more effort and money thay you are led to believe.

We're all trying to rescue our whole city while at the same time mantaining our "normal" lives. It's incomprehensible, really. The hardest thing I've ever done.

[jus_the_facts]

5. .

:cry:

[RoseMead]

7. "For he keeps the Lord's watch

in the night against the adversary.
For he counteracts the powers of darkness by his electrical skin and glaring eyes.
For he counteracts the Devil, who is death, by brisking about the life.
For in his morning orisons he loves the sun and the sun loves him.

For he is of the tribe of Tiger.
For the Cherub Cat is a term of the Angel Tiger."

-For I will consider my cat Jeoffry
Christopher Smart


For Shannon Moore, and all those who keep watch in the night against the adversary: Thank you and may you find peace.

[faithnotgreed]

74. bless you rosemead - im so glad youre here

and thank you for posting this

with much love and peace.....
faith

[shireen]

9. A truly wonderful person

I had the privilege of briefly working with her while we were helping some rescuers who were in an accident. I regret not getting to know her better. Everyone in Katrina animal rescue either knew her personally, had interacted with her at one time or another, or knew her by reputation. She touched EVERYONE. Her loss is deeply felt by all in the Katrina animal rescue community, whether we knew her or not.

Please also read this tribute at Best Friends,
http://network.bestfriends.org/animallawcoalition/news/4553.html

[BrklynLiberal]

119. The Bestfriends tribute had me crying all over again....

The picture of her dog is a gem!! It was taken at the rally that Shannon organized on the Capitol steps for the Louisiana Pet Evacuation Bill.

[pacalo]

11. This is absolutely heartbreaking.

Having a passion for animals myself, I can fully understand how her helplessness to save every animal could break her spirit. She was a beautiful person inside & out -- what a huge loss.

[BrklynLiberal]

16. How very sad that a person of such generosity of soul felt that she had

had nothing left to offer. It would seem to me that the world is so much the poorer for her not being here.
I am sure that she will be greatly missed by everyone who loved her, which would include everyone who knew her.

[AlienGirl]

30. The world no longer wants people like her

[BrklynLiberal]

114. How sad is that?

:-(

[RebelOne]

101. It must have been heart-wrenching to see

the suffering of all those animals. It probably made her so sad that she could not stand any longer. I think I could understand because I am an animal lover and cannot stand to see any animal suffer.

[BrklynLiberal]

115. I am with you. That is why I cannot watch those show on Animal Planet

with the Animal Cops and such. Even though I know there may be happy endings, I cannot watch the suffering that precedes them. It literally gives me nightmares.

[Marie26]

34. Too sad

That she loses her own life after saving so many others. Really, truly, we all need to know the warning signs of suicide so that we can recognize when someone we care about is in danger. (Sorry to hijack the thread a little).

Suicide Warning Signs -

- Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
- Looking for ways to kill oneself by seeking access to firearms, pills, or other means
- Talking or writing about death, dying, or suicide when these actions are out of the ordinary for the person
- Feeling hopeless
- Feeling rage or uncontrolled anger or seeking revenge
- Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities - seemingly without thinking
- Feeling trapped - like there's no way out
- Increasing alcohol or drug use
- Withdrawing from friends, family, and society
- Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time
- Experiencing dramatic mood changes
- Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life

http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/walletcard/engwalletcard.asp

[nashville_brook]

54. feeling hopeless is the operative symptom here

leads right into sensing no purpose in life.

damn, this breaks my heart.

[AndyA]

45. This is so sad.

At least she has been reunited with the pets that she loved so much, and she will have many familiar faces come to see her when their time comes. She will only know happiness now, and with each new reunion she'll be able to spend time with those she loved and saved while she was here on Earth.

She sounds like she was a wonderful person, and a good friend to all.

[survivor999]

46. What is also sad is that

It is so hard to get good psychological help, if one can even get any... Because of the stigma attached to seeking this kind of help, but also because coverage by health plans is so limited (even assuming one has any coverage at all)... At times, people need external help to get back on their feet, whatever issues they are dealing with...

[Lex]

50. Wonder if any entity is keeping up with the NOLA suicides these

weeks and months later. I know I've read about several. There must be crushing depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Horrible.

[GoldenOldie]

55. No one will ever know the numbe of human lives she may have saved

The article states that she devoted her time in reuniting NOLA evacuees with thier pets. It is highly possible that many of these owners were/are also in deep depression after losing all of their worldly goods. What a feeling of joy they must have felt to have a pet returned to them.....the sense that all was not lost and giving them hope. We will never know how many evacuee's have or will commit suicide because of their losses and the resulting deep depression.

She was an angel amongst us and only those closest to her saw it. I am sure that Saint Frances was waiting to greet her.

[survivor999]

59. Good point....

Does anybody know if there are any psychological counseling services around there anybody can access (given what happened, it is obvious that those are needed)? Are they well advertised so people know where to go for help?... I have no idea...

[uppityperson]

60. oh my, there is so much need.

so much need for so much. If you do counseling, or know anyone who does, or want to help, there is lots and lots and lots and lots to do all over the south coast. Pick a task. It will need doing.

[Marie26]

64. Here's a few - Gulf Coast Crisis Counseling

I just lifted this from the article posted upthread - all of these agencies offer counseling services to people suffering from depression or anxiety following Hurricane Katrina.

FOR HELP
Crisis counseling
In-state:
Louisiana Spirit: (800) 273-TALK. Available 24 hours a day.

(This is also the national hotline number for the Suicide Prevention Lifeline - anyone can call.)

Out of state:
Crisis Intervention of Houston Inc.: (713) HOTLINE [phone]).
Texas Suicide and Crisis Center: [phone]. Available 24 hours a day.
NW Arkansas Crisis Intervention Center: [phone]. Available 24 hours a day.

Family support:
Louisiana Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail]; online: www.laffcmh.com.
Find Family National Call Center
Relatives who are unable to find a missing loved one may call [phone]. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

[Name removed]

53. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[AlienGirl]

62. The world has no more use for the compassionate; the callous shall inherit

The World has spoken: the compassionate and tender-hearted are not wanted anymore. It is the day of the callous now, the era of the hard. The world is discarding the meek and the weak. Expect more of the same.

Tucker

[survivor999]

65. I see this trend too...

But, there are compassionate people who are also able to be firm and tough when needed. Generally they are deeper and more imaginative than the robotic types of people who tend to end up running things. We need more of these types of compassionate people who can also defend themselves against the wolves.

[AlienGirl]

66. It's happened in other places and other times

The result is always the same.

Tucker

[theHandpuppet]

83. In today's world compassion is seen as a character flaw

It's ruthlessness and self-serving ambition that's admired and celebrated in this bread and circuses society.

[AlienGirl]

98. Yes, exactly, and this will get worse before it gets better

R.A. Lafferty wrote a story called "The Groaning Hinges of the World," about places on Earth where the overworld and underworld occasionally switch places, and the mild and sane people are all replaced by fierce and bloodthirsty people. I think he was onto something; every so often a change in culture occurs, and what was virtue to one age--to be compassionate and charitable and tender--is seen as vice; and the vices of the old world--selfishness, greed, and cruelty--become seen as virtue. It happens occasionally, in some cultures.

I think we are at the beginning edge of one of these cycles. I think the hinges of our world have turned, and a few of us are left with the set of values belonging to the younger age, and it is we who will be crushed, as always, by the onward march of cruelty. I expect more of this. If you can get your hands on the Lafferty story, read it; it's good.

Tucker

[progmom]

97. be strong, Tucker

One compassionate person at a time can change this world. :hug:

[AlienGirl]

99. I doubt we can change it, any more than we could stop a tide

I think these things are just cycles, part of nature as much as an ice age or an asteroid impact. I don't think any of us can change it any more than elk can change when they migrate, or hares can convince their fellows not to fight in the springtime, or a fish can tell a shoal to avoid a net.

All we can do is document it all, and stay out of the way as long as possible.

Tucker

[flvegan]

109. Oh, no. Oh, HELL no.

The callous and the "hard" can kiss my compassionate and tender-hearted ass. Call the likes of folks like me meek or weak, and have at the discarding. I dare them...

[Janice325]

63. Thank you, funkybutt

I read the obituary. I wrote a check. I might sign the guestbook later.
I read her friend's blog. I'm crying.
What a wonderful young woman she must have been.
This is so sad.
Thank you again, funkybutt. I haven't lived in New Orleans since 1994, I didn't know Shannon, but wish I had.
RIP, Shannon.

[Feron]

68. How awful

The blog entry is heartbreaking. I hope that Shannon found peace in the hereafter.

Everyone down here has been messed up since the storm. :(

[Laurab]

72. Too sad

for words.

:cry:

[Jeffersons Ghost]

75. I HAVE YOUR "SUICIDE" LOTS OF IT: READ THIS.....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1374892

[mnhtnbb]

76. Tears streaming down my face,

Chalk up another death due to the apathy of the Bushies, the lies, and the stolen elections.

[uppityperson]

77. Thank you funkybutt, and moderators

RIP Sharon. Thank you for all you did and so sorry you had to make this choice.

[merh]

81. ...

:cry:

[malaise]

92. How sad

Karma is waiting for Bushco.

[livinginphotographs]

100. My condolences to her family and friends.

Animal rescue burns you out pretty quick, considering how many odds you're up against.

She did a lot of good while she was here.

[proud patriot]

103. This really affected me

so so sad :cry: Who's going to be there
to care for the animals in New Orleans
now? :cry:

[Swamp Rat]

105. this tragedy never seems to end

:cry:

:hug: funkybutt :hug:

[merh]

107. I know that is how I feel. -

The nightmare is unending and the victims too many to count.

This song from Rent says it all for me, if you can find it and hear it, I think you will agree.

Will I

(actors part)
Will I lose my dignity? Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow from this nightmare?

(chorus - in a sort of round)
Will I lose my dignity? Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow from this nightmare?Will I lose my dignity? Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow from this nightmare?Will I lose my dignity? Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow from this nightmare?Will I lose my dignity? Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow from this nightmare?Will I lose my dignity? Will someone care?
Will I wake tomorrow from this nightmare?




:cry:

[Swamp Rat]

108. .

:hug:

[Xipe Totec]

111. Rest in Peace, noble heart. n/t

[BrklynLiberal]

118. This is an incredible thread.. Lots of really wonderful people said

things worth taking note of. Bookmarked!!!!!
:thumbsup: :hi: :loveya: :grouphug:

[LordshipLadyship]

129. Pets save lives

For anyone who thinks humans are superior, listen. Pets save lives. Period. Humans live longer with animals. Animals are disability companions. Animals are brought to hospice and make a difference. Animals don't give a damn about your position in society. Animals enrich us. For thirteen years I raised rats. Every damn rat had a personality. Every single one of them. Animals have souls. Period. I eat meat, I regret it, I am contradictory, I know. But I'd save them if I could. That they enrich lives is documented.


That she took her life is an enormous sorrow. That people don't understand loving an animal and a animal loving us is too. May she rest in peace, we need people like her.

[BrklynLiberal]

131. True words.

[jus_the_facts]

134. ...

:grouphug: