Amazing rescue! Posted on Facebook...

Supporters of the NOLA Intact Animal Permit Law
Posted by Nita Fairley Hemeter · 9 hours ago

Well, I gotta share this, Miss Debbie is the calliope player on the Steamboat Natchez and a friend of mine, you are not going to believe this story….
Dearest loved ones,

The Steamboat Natchez crew had an exciting day on the river this afternoon. When we got down river to our turn around point, a dog was spotted frantically swimming in the river. The captain stopped the steamboat, the rescue boat was sent out, brought the dog back, safe. We kept him in the boiler room, I stayed with him and called all the numbers on the dog tag. Spoke to someone who was going to meet me at Oakwood Mall, right near my house, so I could return the dog. Scott brought the dog, Sammy, out on the dock while I played the calliope. When I got off the boat and walked towards them, (Sammy had attracted a small crowd of our office people,) he came right to me, jumped up and put his paws on my shoulders and was hugging me….definitely a Kleenex moment. It was after I got to the mall, the story unfolded.

A story with a happy ending.

Sent this message to the Steamboat mailing list this afternoon:

First of all….it was a male whippet named Sammy. Another female was with him, she has not been found. Having been the owner of an Italian Greyhound, a whippet and rescued Greyhound, I know these canines can be escape artists.

The owner is the widow of a police officer killed in the line of duty. She left with her children today for Wisconsin so they could attend a special Cops Camp for Kids. There are other dogs at their house, being cared for by a caretaker. These two escaped. They live near River Road in Algiers. So, for those of you who live in the area…..keep an eye open.

The woman I spoke to is the widow's sister, it was another sister's husband, Bernard Klumpp, to whom I surrendered Sammy. To those of you who were concerned about my returning a dog to someone who lost him to begin with, read the above. The two sisters' names were listed on the dog tag as contacts, the dogs were not with them when they escaped.

We met at Oakwood Mall, I stayed in my car with the dog, let the man come to me and tell me the whole story. When I was satisfied he was genuinely distressed and had nothing to do with the escape, I then got out of the car and let him take Sammy. Trust me…..if he in any way looked like bad news, I would have said I'm taking the dog to the vet, and would not have let him take the dog.

Mr. Klumpp could not say thank you enough to all involved. I explained to him how the rescue took place, he got all choked up, and just kept saying thank you. He was anxious to depart so he could get back to the levee to continue the search.

To Capt. Troy who spotted him, Capt. Don who ordered the rescue, CJ and Tarie who manned the rescue boat, and Scott who doggie-sat in the boiler room (and had to do a little clean-up,) know that your efforts were greatly appreciated!!!!

Keep praying to St. Francis…..patron saint of God's creatures.

Ms. Calliope

Just followed up with this message:

Just got a phone call from Mr. Klumpp……the female dog was rescued this afternoon, in the total opposite direction from the river. Both dogs were taken to the vet, they're OK, will be on antibiotics just in case. The female had some bad gashes on her paws, but is fine. They got a nice bath and are resting comfortably!

Again, Mr. Klumpp was eternally grateful, the owner is aware of all that has happened.

Thank you St. Francis!!!!!