Dear Members & Friends,

Eighteen months after they were separated by Hurricane Katrina, Paula and Pablo were brought together today by Best Friends. You can read all about it at www.bestfriends.org.

As Paula Duming, a disabled New Orleans native, was airlifted from her flooded house, the helicopter crew said her beloved dog, Pablo, would have to stay behind. When she hesitated, they assured her he would be rescued. Thousands of other people like her were forced to evacuate without their pets – in some cases they were led from their homes in handcuffs and at gunpoint!

Paula was dropped off at a shelter for people near Baton Rouge. A friend drove her to several animal rescue centers to look for her dog. No luck. When the military reopened the flood zones, she went back to her destroyed home to retrieve photos of Pablo and vet records.

Then a friend helped her search the Internet. And on a Best Friends report, she found Pablo.

Yes, indeed! Pablo was one of the lucky dogs and cats we’d rescued and sent to foster groups around the country. But by the time Paula reached this group, they’d placed Pablo with a family. And then she ran into a brick wall: the foster family didn’t want to give him up, even though it was understood by all fosters that there was a three-month reunion period.

Paula was devastated. The dog she’d first brought home on Christmas Eve was all she had left. So now, acting on her behalf, Best Friends filed suit to have Pablo returned to her.

This week, the case finally went to trial in Phoenix, and the judge ruled that the foster family had to give Pablo back. Today, we brought them together.

The story has sparked major interest in the news media. Earlier this week, it was on the front page of USA Today; Inside Edition is putting a feature together; and CBS TV has invited Paula onto The Early Show tomorrow, Saturday. We’re not sure exactly what’s airing when, but just wanted to give you the heads-up.

You can follow the story on the Best Friends home page at www.bestfriends.org.

Best Friends continues to reunite the victims of Hurricane Katrina – people and pets. Your donation to a special fund to make these reunions possible is much appreciated. Please go HERE  to make a donation.

There’s lots more news, too, from the week. You’ll find it all at www.bestfriends.org.

Have a good weekend,

Michael

Michael Mountain
Best Friends