Emails floating around the dog-show lists tell the story of Nancy Punches, whose home is not too far from the Chehalis River, in coastal Washington state. Last Tuesday morning, when the river crested at 75 feet, the 70-something lost nearly everything.
The email account of her ordeal was hard to read:
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She has raised, trained and exhibited dogs from the early 1960s, first Doberman Pinschers, then Pulik, Smooth Fox Terriers, American Foxhounds and most recently she had acquired a much loved Black Russian Terrier, Dali. She is also an AKC judge, but is so busy with her work in the lab of the Morton Hospital and with her own dogs that she doesn't accept many assignments. She is however, always ready to help out, she chairs shows and ring stewards, helps build majors [multi-point wins that are required for dogs to finish their championships] and offers advice and comfort and guidance to all.
Nancy spent many hours of the night and into the morning, alternately treading water and clinging to a china hutch as water in her home rose to within ten inches of the ceiling. When the China hutch gave way and fell into the water, Nancy kept her head above water by clinging to a plank. Just before the flood, knowing that bad weather was coming, she brought her most beloved dogs into the house for safekeeping. Dali, the black Russian terrier. The Foxhounds-- Cruise, Whistler, Jack, Priss, Minnie, Precious, Dixie. All champions. All beloved. One by one they each drowned in front of her.
She did manage to save a litter of five week old puppies. She had placed them in a styrofoam cooler and floated them alongside her all through the night. Like Nancy, they survived and were rescued by helicopter late on Tuesday morning. Nancy thinks that one of the Foxhounds in the kennel also rode out the storm, but all the others, more than thirty dogs in all, perished.
Nancy is in Providence Hospital in Chehalis, WA with frostbite to her feet. Her home has been demolished, and everything she has, save four little puppies and maybe one lone foxhound, everything else is gone. She did not have flood insurance, so the loss of her home, her van, her motorhome, her kennel--- none of that is covered. Some philanthropic organizations have been contacted and we are doing our best to find help for Nancy. She will need every dime.>>
On Monday, a crew went to Nancy's home to see what could be salvaged and to bury the dead animals. As one corner of the kennel was being cleaned, a male Foxhound was found mostly buried in the mud, still alive. He had been there for five days and had to be dug out with a shovel. He is under veterinary care, but it is too early for a prognosis.
Donations of goods and cards of support can be sent to Nancy's colleagues at The Morton Hospital:
Nancy Punches
c/o The Morton Hospital
Medical Lab
P.O. Box "C" (or for UPS, 521 Adam St.)
Morton, WA 98352
PayPal donations are being accepted: Make payment to nancypunchesfund@
earthlink.net.
Comments (16)
I know hindsight is 20-20 but some type of back-up plan to get her dogs moved out in case of an emergency should have been in place. I'm very sorry to hear of her losses. It would be heartbreaking to watch your dogs drown in front of you and helpless to do anything. Having beem through 3 major floods myself, I knew if it had ever come to a mandatory evacuation for us, I would have not left my dogs behind. Luckily now laws have been passed so pets won't get left behind. It's so sad that help couldn't have gotten to her sooner.
Well this is very sad indeed. It seems the flooding happened so fast - she probably didn't realize the danger. Better to leave with all your pets alive than to wait and miss the chance to leave and face their deaths. I wonder if she had advance notice. From the newspaper stories, it seemed that it happened very quickly. She was lucky to come out of this alive. This is so tragic and doesn't matter if her dogs were show prize winners or pound rescues, losing most of your pets in a flood is tragic.
FYI, I heard on the news here in Chicago that a man lost all his dairy animals. The flood came THAT QUICK... he said he could barely save himself. He was devastated as he watched them perish in front of his eyes.
My heart goes out to this woman. I pray that the dog that was found buried makes a full recovery. All we can do is look up to the Lord and know that they are safe and felt no pain. God takes care of the innocent - I'm convinced.
Having to watch your animals suffer and die and being totally helpless to do anything about it has got to be a very painful experience. That is something that would haunt me the rest of my life.
OMG This was so hard to read. I cannot even imagine the sorrow she felt watching her dogs perish before her eyes one by one. My heart breaks for this poor woman but I know that Dog Show people ALWAYS take care of their own in a situation like this. Still nothing can replace the dogs she lost.I know tonite at my kennel Club Christmas party this will be discussed. Please say a prayer for Nancy Punches and her dogs.
I wrote that last post. keep forgetting to sign my name!!!!!!!!
We cry out to you Daddy God to help these people. The pain is unbearable. Hold them Lord. Hold them all...In Jesus's Name we cry out to you
FROM A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE - I THOUGHT WHOEVER MAY BE INTERESTED, MAY LIKE TO WRITE THIS FABULOUS MAN WHO DID SO MUCH TO SAVE VICK'S DOGS*********
Subject: Cards and Letters Needed
As you all know, I was lucky enough to be part of a support team that was put in place to rescue any non-fighting dogs from Michael Vick's property.
What you also likely know (from many of my emails) is that one man is responsible for making Vick's prosecution happen. Unfortunately, I can't reveal his full name, but I want to tell you a bit about him and ask you for a favor.
From the beginning, it was obvious that Jim was not only pushing for Vick's prosecution because Vick broke the law. It was obvious that he was pushing because he loves dogs.
Some day, when I write a book, I would like to go into a lot of detail. For purposes of this email, I will be brief.
When we first started working with the authorities, Jim cautioned us that there was a possibility that the pits might have to be euthanized. He was almost cautious when we discussed this issue - possibly expecting us to react strongly and start screaming that the dogs must be allowed to live under any circumstances.
We told him that we did understand, and that not only did we understand, but we agreed that vicious animals should be humanely euthanized - both for their safety and for the safety of the public. I am sure that he took us at our word, but I suspect that he had no idea that we really did know what he was about to deal with. As an outsider to rescue, I suspect that he thought that what he was experiencing was something foreign to us. As you all know, it is not. We see abused, neglected, tortured animals all the time.
I suspect that it was because we didn't burst out in tears when we spoke about it that Jim thought we couldn't possibly understand the depth of man's cruelty. I think he thought that animal rescuers certainly couldn't function if we knew what really happened to some animals. We didn't say much because we knew that he would learn that we had to learn to deal with cruelty if we were going to make a difference. Giving up is not an option for rescuers. Going forward regardless of the atrocities inflicted on animals is the only way we can save lives.
As Jim worked his way through the investigation, he would sometimes make general statements about man's inhumanity toward dogs. It was as if he was learning first hand for the first time - and I'm sure he was - that people do bad things to animals on a grand scale. I am sure that as he worked with the ASPCA he learned that terrible things happen to many animals every day. I know that ASPCA officials shared a lot of information with Jim about how they operate and what they see on a daily basis. By the way, they were amazing during all of this.
I don't remember the point when I realized that Jim realized that we did indeed know what he was dealing with. It was almost as if a lightbulb went off - call it a revelation. As he began to get to know the dogs, and as he investigated the case, it became even more real to him. I think that he developed a real admiration for how hard rescue work is.
We had several conversations during which I tried to explain to Jim how we managed to continue rescue work knowing what we know - and what he now knows. I commiserated with him when things looked bad. I tried to support him by being realistic and professional and always telling him the truth. I told him that we as rescuers must think with our heads first and our hearts second. If our hearts lead and our brains don't follow, we end up in trouble - and the animals end up in trouble.
At one point, it was clear that Jim understood rescue.
I want to tell you that Jim worked tirelessly for the well being of these animals. He monitored their care and he got to know them as individuals. He lobbied for their rescue. For many months he tried to get them released to us. I am quite sure that there are some people out there who are not happy with him - because he put the animals first and politics second. It never stopped him from advocating for the rescue of all of the dogs - the pits and the non-fighting dogs. I remember the day that he was finally able to tell us that only one of the pits was going to be euthanized. He was elated that the rest of them had people on their side lobbying for their safety. He was encouraged by the support and dedication of the wonderful people at the ASPCA.
What I am asking from you is to thank Jim. I would really like you to write to Jim and thank him. Send him pictures of your rescued animals. Share your stories with him. Tell him that you appreciate what he and the rest of his team did to help the Vick dogs.
There are some things that we don't know about the investigation because they are confidential and that's ok. All we have to know is that one man convinced his superiors that this case was important - very important. All we have to know is that he lobbied to save a bunch of dogs that needed help. All we have to know is that because of him, his team, and the Department of Agriculture, Michael Vick will soon be sentenced. All we have to know is that this is a precedent setting case. All we have to know is that the strenuous investigation and prosecution of Michael Vick is serving as a warning to other dogfighters. Due to the worldwide publicity for this case, it has encouraged local law enforcement agencies to take dogfighting seriously. These dogs did not suffer in vain. All we have to know is that because Jim cared, we have taken a giant step forward against dogfighters. That is our consolation in this whole mess.
Jim is a very humble man. He doesn't want to be in the limelight and he doesn't expect any recognition for what he has done. I, however, think he deserves recognition - and our thanks - to him and his team.
I have set up a mailbox to receive cards and letters. I will be collecting them until December 15, 2007, at which time they will be delivered to Jim (hopefully in a huge box).
If you would like to thank him, the address is below.
Please act quickly so we can present him with a huge box of mail just in time for Christmas. Feel free to forward to friends, families, and co-workers.
Jim
c/o Patti Stinson
P.O. Box 550
Bealeton, VA 22712
Thank you all for your support.
Done with pleasure, Darlene.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!
WE WON, WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DUKE LIVES - MUST BE CONFINED BUT HE LIVES!!!!!!!
OH THANK YOU GOD UP ABOVE!!!!!!!! WE ALL DID IT AND I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DARLENE
Oh my God. I am soooooo excited. I have tears in my eyes. Thank you all. This is a great gift for Christmas. The next would be Vivi, but we needed good news and this is just great. Thanks Darlene.
That's great Darlene.
Darlene, that is fantastic about Duke! Compassion and justice finally ruled the day. My best wishes to Duke's family. They have their sweet boy back..May all our lost animals be found soon. Hope all have warmth and shelter today with the snow coming down.
EVERYONE - THE HORSES STILL NEED YOU*********
On December 5, Senator Larry Craig made a public declaration of his intent to derail any attempt to bring S 311 to the Floor for a vote. This Senator is a disgrace to our country and to the principles that our nation was founded upon. Because of Senator Craig and a few of his colleagues, American horses will continue to be brutally slaughtered.
Let’s make our voices heard in the Halls of Congress. Make your feelings POLITELY known to Senate Leadership...we must demand that our horses are afforded due process. Please contact the Senator Leadership and request that S 311 is immediately brought to the floor for a vote or to support any legislation that contains language to end horse slaughter for human consumption and the transportation of horses for human consumption.
Senate Majority Leader:
Harry Reid ph: 202-2224-3542 fax: 202-224-7327
Senate Minority Leader:
Mitch McConnell ph: 202-224-2541 fax: 202-224-2499
Senate President Pro Tempore
Robert S. Byrd ph: 202 224-3954 fax: 202-228-0002
Assistant Majority Leader
Dick Durbin ph: 202-224-2152 fax: 2-2-228-0400
Assistant Minority Leader
Trent Lott ph 202-224-6253 fax: 202-224-2262
Senator Larry Craig
ph: 202-224-2752 fax: 202-228 1067
email: craig@senate.gov/email/
Remember…..WE ARE BARBARO’S VOICE……..let it be heard!
Shelley and Debra
YEA DUKE!!! Finally back home for Christmas where you belong. How we wish you would come home dear Vivi.
Back to Nancy Punches.
Written by staff writer, Mark Larabee of "The Oregonian."
http://tinyurl.com/2kzm4b
Thank you, Denise, for posting this. Please keep Nancy in your thoughts and prayers. She's got a long, long road home.
ronwin
fellow ridgeback owner and ORE resident