Inside the main entrance this little table was placed for people to go for an adoption application or an information sheet on how/where to find their pet. Off to the right was where they would go to get assistance to search on the computer. That was my job for a few days where I worked with Best Friends and Stealth Volunteers to reunite pets and their families. I did some of that before and after going out to search and trap. Totally REWARDING!!!
This is the desk that we/someone sat at from morning until night searching EVERYWHERE for pets and/or people. We would try the best we could while evacuees were there on-site and then would continue once they had gone. That is Mindy (PetRecover) on the left and Theresa on the right. I had the pleasure of working with so many wonderful people. Mindy was there for quite a long time... between the desk, feeding, searching and trapping. 
This area to the left of the entrance table was the special "infirmary". This is where the incoming dogs and cats were taken. There was a special pup that would just cry and cry. One of the volunteers, Amy, was taking care of that one. Only certain techs and rescuers were allowed to interact with them unless they were taken out. It looks so enclosed and dark, but there was always someone in the area.
To the left of the search desk was the little kitchen area. There was plenty of donated foods that anyone could help themselves to. Theresa made the best protein shakes for everyone in the morning. There was always some good coffee going and something for everyone.
To the left of the kitchen area was where the dining table was set up for every communal meal. There were certain groups of people that handled certain duties (cooking, cleaning, trash, etc.) and they were all rotated. Everything always seemed to go off without a hitch and everyone was taken well care of. Mind you, everyone was volunteering their time there. It was nice being able to sit down after a long day and mingle with everyone, listening to their rescue stories.
RED
Red was a loveable red Staffordshire Terrier at Celebration Station. He was outside intake at the back of the main area. He was such a sweetheart (and, yes, he was adopted by a most special person). Red had such a sad and uplifting story at the same time. He was at the Station injured with a broken back, but like Trixie... he had no idea! After the hurricane he was being fed by a neighbor. Sadly, he was hit by a car or a truck and his back was broken. He dragged himself back to the house he was staying at. At the Station, he was so alert, active, friendly, loving, playful and the list goes on. He stayed in a pen with enough room for him to scooch around. Everyone new to the Station was introduced to Red as if it were initiation. Everyone assisted with the cleaning of his pen and making sure it was comfortable at all times. You couldn't resist laying in there with him. Many a times I'd see someone with a blanket and a pillow curled up with him trying to catch a nap between trappings and rescues.
Red gets his wheels
While I was there someone had donated a wheelchair for Red. THAT was a treat to watch. That just opened his world up so wide and he took it all in again. I was there when they strapped him into his new wheels. He took to it pretty well as if he already knew what they were and how to use them. It was so fun to watch him chase his tennis balls outside with that HUGE bully smile on his face.
Here is a link to his wheelchair story: http://network.bestfriends.org/groups/hurricane/news/archive/2006/01/19/red-gets-his-wheels.aspx
Red leaves the building
Red was one of the last to leave Celebration Station. He went to a wonderful rescue organization that cared for his therapy needs and everything. I also learned that he was adopted by a woman that went above and beyond to adopt Red and carried on with his care and really tended to making her home Red safe!
http://network.bestfriends.org/groups/hurricane/news/archive/2007/04/08/new-adventures-with-red.aspx
Isn't he a handsome boy??
... To be continued
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