When Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, the
Ninth Ward in New Orleans was one of the hardest hit
areas. Gloria Brown, then 73 years old, swam to
safety, with the water rising up to her neck. But she
didn’t go alone. Refusing to leave her beloved
Queenie behind (an 8 year old chow-chow), she
somehow managed to get her dog on a piece of
plywood and towed her to safety. But, like so many
beloved animals, Queenie was left behind because
Gloria had to evacuate without her.
Gloria ended up in the Bay Area with family, but was
totally distraught over her lost dog. After a desperate
search and arduous journey, Queenie was rescued and
brought to San Francisco by Hopalong Animal Rescue. Then in early fall of 2006
Gloria was told she could get a FEMA trailer, so she went back to New Orleans to set
things up. But up until early December, she still had no trailer. She ended up living
with relatives in a very crowded trailer, and was once again without her beloved
Queenie. The wonderful staff at Animal Farm stepped in to help take care of her, and
Hopalong assured Gloria that they would get Queenie returned permanently to New
Orleans as soon as Gloria had housing.
Then finally, Gloria received notice that she had a place to live. So,
Hopalong shipped Queenie home. After almost 1 ½ years of turmoil, Gloria
and Queenie's saga ends. On December 12, Queenie got her plane ticket and
headed back to Louisiana. She is finally home with the woman who loves her
dearly!
