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"Pet Photos makes life seem normal"
December 2005
 Neither
Gulf Coast
Doberman Rescue nor the Louisiana SPCA knew just how important Holiday
Pet Photos had become to people in the Greater New Orleans Area.
Holiday Pet Photos was initially cancelled due Hurricane Katrina. As
people called inquiring about the event there was disappointment in
their voices when we told them we wouldn't be doing Holiday Photos this
year. How could we? We had lost most of our staff, our volunteers were
scattered who-knows-where and we were homeless, having lost our shelter
on Japonica Street when the levees were breeched. All our focus was on
establishing a
temporary shelter at 701 Thayer Street in Algiers.
Everyone was overwhelmed and stressed.
 Lynn Morvant of Jefferson Feed, and Terri Valenti
of Doberman Rescue decided if the Louisiana SPCA couldn't do it, they would do it for
us! In just 10 short days a scene was created and wonderful
photographers,
Scott Stuntz
and Phil Casper,
were in place. John Davenport, as Santa, was poised and ready to go.
Volunteers were standing by to work the event. All the details fell into
place.
 It
was meant to be and people came. As people registered for the sittings,
we heard stories of how people had lost everything; stories of escape,
fear and devastation.
One such story came from
Pasty. Patsy had been told Holiday Pet Photos was cancelled when she
called Jefferson Feed several weeks before the event usually started.
She had been bringing her son to Pet Photos since his birth. Her baby
announcement picture was actually taken at one of our scenes years ago.
Pasty had brought her son each year since. Having lost all Christmas
tradition due to Katrina, Pet Photos became the one thing that was normal
in their lives; the one constant she could offer her now eight year old
son. No words can describe her excitement when she later learned Pet
Photos would again take place.
Another story came from a woman who had lost everything, including 12 years worth of
Holiday Pet Photos taken with her beloved dog. The dog had been
diagnosed with terminal cancer and was predicted to have only a few
months left. This year was extra special because it would be their last
together.
 People
drove from Mississippi and North and West Louisiana just to sit on the
stoop with Santa and their beloved pet; a family picture representing
the rebuilding of a life they once knew. Normality.
Holiday Pet Photos meant more than we had ever thought it had.
Special thanks go to Terri Valenti and Gulf Coast Doberman Rescue.
Through the years, Terri has pulled numerous animals from our shelter,
saving countless lives. Through the efforts of Terri, in behalf of GCDR,
a loving commitment for the Doberman Pincher dog, which goes beyond the
animal’s health, age, lineage and issues, has consistently been
demonstrated. We are thankful to have a representative of such a
wonderfully responsible rescue group so closely aliened with us, and for
the determination to ensure Holiday Pet Photos wasn't yet another loss to be
suffered by the animal lovers of the Greater New Orleans Area.
To learn more about Gulf Coast Doberman Rescue,
please visit their Web site.
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