A 'miracle,' but is it too late?
Posted: Thursday, September 8 at 04:47 pm CT by Mike Brunker
SLIDELL, La. –- It seems as if one more miracle might not be enough.
As regular Katrinablog readers know, on Thursday we accompanied a Slidell animal control officer and a volunteer from the Noah’s Wish animal rescue organization to the condominium of Bill Harris in search of his “miracle” cat, Miss Kitty. They found nothing at the scene, where Harris spent three days standing on a chair in his flooded unit clutching Miss Kitty to his chest and praying, but they set a trap in hopes that the cat was still in the area and hiding.
Video: Donna Wackerbauer and Horace Troullier arrive at the Noah's Wish animal shelter in Slidell, La. to visit the cat they found at Bill Harris' residence Thursday. The cat matches the description Harris provided, but until the two are reunited (at least with photographs) no one will know for sure whether the cat is actually Harris'. (Andrew Locke / MSNBC.com)
Our hopes of reuniting Bill with his cherished pet dented but not gone, we drove to Covington, La., for a poor night’s sleep and a visit to an impressive “special needs” shelter there.
We are just finishing our interview with shelter director John Tobin when Andrew’s phone rings. It’s Mike Stuckey, our editor in Redmond, Wash., telling us that Horace Troullier, the Slidell animal control officer, just called to say he thinks they caught Miss Kitty.
We can hardly believe our ears but are exchanging high-fives without knowing any facts, wanting very badly for the news to be true.
We try to call Troullier, but our cell phones aren’t working. Fortunately, Tobin has an unrivaled communications system in this neck of the woods and radios Covington animal control to get them to contact Troullier on our behalf. A few minutes pass before we hear the response blare out of the radio: “Horace has that cat, Miss Kitty.”
Stunned almost to speechlessness, we babble our goodbyes to Tobin and set off for the Red Cross shelter in Evans Creek, where we met Harris on Monday, which fortuitously was only about 20 miles from Covington.
We decide during our drive not to tell Bill about the discovery initially, not wanting to get his hopes up in case it turns out to be the wrong cat. Instead we’ll simply say that we’ve contacted some animal rescue experts and that they’re looking for the 17-year-old brown and gray cat. Then, we’ll drive to Slidell and figure out the best way to make a positive identification.
We walk in the shelter and tell one of the volunteers there that we’re looking for Harris and watch her face plunge. Slowly, she says that Bill, who has chronic kidney failure, has been taken away for medical treatment. She says she’d like to tell us more, but the Health Information Privacy Act bars the release of such medical information.
Moments later, we find another person at the shelter who tells us what happened: Just hours after Bill told us his heart-rending story and pleaded for help finding his cat, he collapsed and had what appeared to be a seizure. A doctor at the shelter declared that Bill was in need of immediate hospitalization and bundled him into his car and drove away.
The person providing the account didn’t know where the doctor took Bill, and the Red Cross personnel at the shelter said they couldn’t provide that information, again citing HIPA
Crushed at this sudden reversal, we get back into our minivan and drive to the animal rescue center in Slidell. There, we encounter a visibly excited Troullier and Donna Wackerbauer, the Noah’s Wish volunteer.
“I’m shaking I’m so excited. I’m about to throw up,” Wackerbauer says as we walk up.
Troullier says they found the cat in the trap they set at Harris’ condominium when they returned Thursday morning.
“She jumped out of the truck first, but I beat her to the scene,” said Troullier, declaring it the most exciting moment he’s had on the job.
We squat down to see into the cage they are hovering over and there, scrunched in the back, is a sleepy-looking long-haired cat with yellow-colored eyes looking calmly to the left. Its coloring is a mix of brown and gray, not in patches like a calico but intermixed over most of her body.
Troullier says the cat is an adult female though her age is hard ascertain.
Still, the cat fits Harris’ description to a T, and Troullier says he has no doubts.
“That’s Miss Kitty,” he says. “It’s just got to be.”
The cat rescued from Bill Harris' condo in Slidell, La. has yellow eyes and brown-grey, medium length fur. (Andrew Locke / MSNBC.com)
Andrew and I are reluctant to ruin the moment, but after allowing them a few more moments of excitement we tell them that Bill was taken to the hospital and his fate is unknown.
The cruel twist of fate sinks in quickly, and both are silent for several beats as they consider the possibilities.
“Our priority right now is to reunite this cat with this gentleman,” Troullier says. “Whatever it takes, it’s just got to happen.”
Wackerbauer has tears in her eyes and is fighting hard to retain her composure. “If we can, we’ve got to get a message to him,” she says. “It may help.”
As Andrew thanks the officer and the rescuer for their efforts and promises to let them know if we find anything, I squat down again and gently call out, “Miss Kitty?”
The cat meows softly before a volunteer lifts the cage and returns her to the cooler temperature in the shelter.
Because of the HIPA law, we have little chance of getting any information about Harris, even if we can figure out where he was taken. But we do have a few thin leads to pursue, and our readers’ resourcefulness gives us a fighting chance to figure out what happened:
If anyone has any information on the whereabouts of Jane B. Harris, Bill’s mother, please send a comment to this blog posting with the note "RE: BILL HARRIS" at the beginning. Jane Harris is a patient at the Trinity Nursing Home in Slidell and was evacuated before the hurricane, but Bill told us he wasn’t sure where she had been taken. As his next of kin, she is entitled to information about his condition that we are not.
Can anyone identify the doctor who rushed Bill away from the Red Cross shelter on Monday?
Does anyone know the veterinarian that treated Miss Kitty in Slidell? That person could probably make a positive identification.
Again, if you can answer any of these questions, please comment to this posting with "RE: BILL HARRIS" at the very beginning of your reply.
And, finally, please join us in praying for Bill Harris and continue to hold out hope that he may yet be reunited with Miss Kitty.
Joy for one hurricane survivor
TRACKBACKS
i am praying for Bill and his Miss kitty, for i know how much a pet you love means to you, and if you can do all you can in your power to reunite these to loved ones together. Start calling all the cloest hospitals inquire if a Bill Harris has been ammitted there, take what ever steps you need to take to reunite these two. I have 3 dashunds and they are my life, have epilepsy, and if anything happened to one of my pets,i might have a seziure, so please find Bill and let this story end Happy, they have my Prays. i wll be waiting for new of their getting back together.
gloria martinez Conley, Ga. (Sent Sep 8, 2005 9:56:05 PM)
I continue to pray for everyone who has been displaced, is working down there. I've been praying a little extra for Mr Harris and Miss Kitty and Mrs Harris. I'll be watching for updates. Thank you so much for keeping us all posted.
Kaye Tietjens, Newberg, Oregon (Sent Sep 8, 2005 10:02:24 PM)
This heartwarming story of survival and devotion just HAS to have a happy ending...just has to.
Vickie Stewart (Sent Sep 8, 2005 10:08:36 PM)
You guys need to do whatever it takes to let him know his cat is ok. What a touching story. I have 2 cats that if I had to lose, or get rid of, I'd die. What ya'll did is wonderful, and you need not stop here! That cat means EVERYTHING to him!!!
Texas Gal (Sent Sep 8, 2005 10:09:08 PM)
Would FEMA change it's mind concerning not allowing four legged rescues with their two legged family? Such would potentially add difficulty to rescues but in such a time - lives should come first - all life. How do we go about changing this ruling?
W Odessa, TX (Sent Sep 8, 2005 10:09:17 PM)
When I read about Bill Harris and Miss Kitty, I did an immediate search for organizations that were helping out the pets that victims were forced to leave behind. Nearly every source linked to Noah's Wish. I immediately made a contribution.
I was thrilled to have just read that it was Noah's Wish who helped find Miss Kitty! They are wonderful and so are you. You are making a difference to everyone you come in contact with, and you are allowing all of us to contribute and aid in more personal and meaningful ways. Keep up your great work!
Jennifer, you are ingenious, and I hope the lead pans out. If so, Bill will have the opportunity to recupe without worry and remorse.
Robin, Chelmsford, MA (Sent Sep 8, 2005 10:10:03 PM)
Bless you for your commitment to the animals and Miss Kitty in particular. These tragic victims must be so confused, hurt and terrified and it eases my heart to know that people like you are looking out for them. If only we could save them all! Thank you for all you are doing!
Kathi (Sent Sep 8, 2005 10:12:57 PM)
Please, if you get the 'run around' again regarding the "HIPAA" law, tell whoever is denying access to the information that the law always had provisions for disclosing patient information in disasters, but because of the Katrina disaster, Health and Human Services (HHS) has re-stated that as a 'bulletin' that can be accessed at http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/
(click on Hurrican Katrina Bulletin link at the top left of the screen to read the bulletin).
I hope you can locate this gentleman and reunite at least one 'family' after this awful catastrophe.
Lew Mashburn, Omaha, Nebraska (Sent Sep 8, 2005 10:19:07 PM)
"Miss Kitty" saved Bill once and she is just the medicine he needs now. Hopefully someone who is with Bill or knows where he is will contact the amimal rescuers. Any consequences would be worth it to help Bill reunite with his beloved cat.
Please God let Bill be found and let this cat be "Miss Kitty".
Thank you to all the animal rescuers for all you are doing.
B. Carlisle, Auburn, Wa (Sent Sep 8, 2005 10:19:49 PM)
This is a truly touching story, and I sincerely hope it turns out to be 'Miss Kitty'. However, all things considered, I hate to be the one to mention that the photograph of the cat certainly does not look like a female cat that is 17 years of age. I am no certified biologist by any means, just an ordinary animal lover whom has owned pets all my life, and it appears that the cat in the photo is possibly no more than 3 to 4 years old. I hope I am mistaken and that this heart-rending story has the happy ending it deserves, but I just felt it needed to be mentioned to possibly spare a lot of expense, effort, and dashed hopes.
M.L. (Sent Sep 8, 2005 10:20:51 PM)
Just when I thought this story couldn't be more heart-wrenching....this just has to be Miss Kitty. Please find a way to reunite Mr. Harris with his cat and let him know there are lots of people who care about him. This is a wonderful thing you and the Noah's Wish volunteers are doing!
Debra Waters, Atlanta (Sent Sep 8, 2005 10:21:53 PM)
It is almost to much to bear...to know they persevered together for so long...and then to be split up...I am devistated....I truly am....God help them find each other....
Sarah, Waterville, ME. (Sent Sep 8, 2005 10:41:30 PM)
The HIPAA rules are getting ridiculous.
I'm a board certified physician and am frankly tired of the aberrations and fraud surrounding the implementation of HIPAA. HIPAA is being used as an excuse by some to block legitimate communication.
We can not relink families under circumstances where doctors and hospitals can not release names to media or to weblogs to help find them.
HIPAA is OBSTRUCTING the delivery of care not only in the disaster zone, but it has been totally warped from the original intent.
HIPAA was supposed to protect citizen's privacy.
Instead, it is obstructing families from reuniting with incompacitated loved ones. Can the Bush Admin and the Congress repeal and refine some of these poor crafted laws?
In this case, the story states that the victim had a seizure. If he was seizing from an electrolyte problem (the reporters stated a renal problem), it is a very dangerous situation for him. You'll have to look for ICU's that are functional in the area.
If you need to reach me, email me at khayashida@careways.net if I can use my physician credentials in some fashion to help.
One can only hope that he is at an academic center to stablize him.
Dr. Kenneth Hayashida, Aliso Viejo, CA (Sent Sep 8, 2005 10:42:08 PM)
I pray that Miss Kitty gets to Bill in time. He will hang on if only to make sure she's ok. This story is heart wrenching.
Paula Cianciotto Auburn, Maine (Sent Sep 8, 2005 10:47:16 PM)
I am so glad they found Miss Kitty but I am very distressed at the other animals that people have been forced to leave behind. What will become of them? The way things are going with FEMA, next thing we'll hear is that they will declare the poor cats & dogs a health risk & use that as an excuse to shoot on sight. Who will protect them from crappy politicians??? Is it not bad enough that so many have lost so much they now are in danger of losing their animals too. If I was still down south there's no way I would leave w/o my cat!!! My heart goes out to all affected by the hurricane. God bless you all!
Kit R, D'ville, WI (Sent Sep 8, 2005 11:03:22 PM)
Are there enough people on the ground to go and collect the stranded dogs? I am very worried that more manpower is needed and I should be there. Could someone with first hand experience please tell me?
I tried to email but no address or link worked. (mac)
tony k, Seattle (Sent Sep 8, 2005 11:24:35 PM)
Please let us know if Bill is O.K. and if you have the real MISS KITTY.God bless you all for the wonderful job you are doing.
Donna Stearns,Ky. (Sent Sep 8, 2005 11:48:21 PM)
Laws! Yes, we need them, (SOME). An HIPA is an "okay" ruling. But, this is pure balderdash! We are HUMAN, first. Somebody knows where Bill is, and somebody else knows his condition, and those "somebodies" could just "leak", (being kind here) that particular peice of information, surreptiously, whisperly, written on a peice of paper that will be destroyed, eaten, torn into minute peices, ect, and then ya'll can go and see Mr. Bill and possibly give him a reason to continue the fight for life. I'm not advocating strong arm tactics here, but plead, beg, cajole, promise, swear, or otherwise and those somebodies may just see their humanity, and the stupidity of zippered lips! It's just a "where", not conditions, not invasiveness, not tattletelling, not even a violation, where I sit, just a small but vital piece of information that could give a reason for life! If I knew, you would know. Nuff' said there.
joe burger (Sent Sep 8, 2005 11:49:10 PM)
I hope you find mr harris, so that if Miss Kitty is his cat, it will cause him to have a quick recovery,we know what it's like to loose a kitty, so we pray for God to unite Mr.Harris and Miss Kitty.
carla k grangeville idaho (Sent Sep 8, 2005 11:52:09 PM)
Thank God. I knew in my heart Miss Kitty would be found. Bill had her for 17 years only due to his loving care and devotion. Miss Kitty knows this and would not go far from the place that she has associated with such love. I too had a "Miss Kitty" of my own for 14 years and know the heartbreak I felt when she passed on. I am only 36 and in good health so I know the thought that his "Angel Kitty" is lost to him is taking it's toll on Bills health. Please find a way to re-unite them as that may be all that he needs to see that there is a life to continue living!
Kathey Priester, Largo, Florida (Sent Sep 9, 2005 12:07:52 AM)
The work you are doing is amazing. My only hope is that you are able to locate Bill and reunite him with his beloved cat. I am sure this will help him to a speedy recovery.
Tammy, Ithaca, NY (Sent Sep 9, 2005 12:23:46 PM)
I am at the EOC in Oklahoma Iwork in emergency managment and read this story. Please keep us informed. There is so much misery and blame finding, I need to hear the good in people And note FEMA/State and locals we are all working as hard as we can.
kathleen shingledecker (Sent Sep 9, 2005 1:19:45 PM)
I am at the EOC in Oklahoma Iwork in emergency managment and read this story. Please keep us informed. There is so much misery and blame finding, I need to hear the good in people And note FEMA/State and locals we are all working as hard as we can.
kathleen shingledecker (Sent Sep 9, 2005 1:23:24 PM)
Human bonding with animals is a natural, pervasive emotional "instinct." In many cases, especially among isolated, lonley people, a pet's companionship provides the emotional glue that holds the spirit together. For Bill Harris, Miss Kitty is all the love in the world he needs to survive.
Sonia Kermaz (Sent Sep 9, 2005 1:32:43 PM)
I sure pray that Miss Kitty and Mr.Bill get back together. I believe that Miss Kitty is or will be Mr.Bill's healing power. She will make all problems go away. God put our animals on this planet to be silent teachers and healers. We learn from them how to give and take. Well, Miss Kitty has a lot to give Mr.Bill.(His life)I pray for you Mr.Bill!!!!
Kirstin Houston, Tx (Sent Sep 9, 2005 2:11:56 PM)
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