Please help me find... A Pet owner's plea

Volume 5, Issue 12, December 2006

Please help me find...
A Pet owner's plea

(Your response goes here.)

Write a letter to the editor: Holler@capcityfreepress.com Just include your full name, and city/county, state and/or country from which you are writing. (Your email address will NOT be posted with your letter.)

Judith E. Pike-Sparks
Special to the Free Press

My name is Judith E. Pike-Sparks, I was born and raised in a section of New Orleans, La. known as the "Irish Channel." In August and September of 2005, two hurricanes by the names of Katrina and Rita destroyed our homes and lives. Neither man nor animal were spared the heartaches and sorrows these two storms brought to us. Life here will never be the same.

The story of my dog Oreo Cookies and her family began for us in the early morning hours of August 29, 2005. My family and our pets fled our homes in Marrero, La., which is a suburb of New Orleans and located on the west bank of the Mississippi River. We were fleeing for our lives from an oncoming storm. A week earlier we had been planning a birthday for my husband Louis E. Sparks Jr., whose birthday is August 29. Never did we dream that Louis would receive the worst natural disaster in the history of America for a birthday gift.

*When we left our homes in the early morning hours of September 25, we knew that the countra-flow had already begun. Since we reside on the west bank of the Mississippi River, we knew that we would have to go westward to escape the fury of Katrina. On August 28, we collected all of our immediate family and pets together. We made arrangements via the internet to stay at the motel in Houston, Texas. We left for Houston at approximately 1 am on August 29 and arrived at our destination at approximately 6 am. When we were finally able to settle down in our rooms we turned on the television set and were shocked to see the scenes of our homes being besieged by the worst hurricane in our history. I was grateful that the motel was "pet friendly" and that we had been able to evacuate with my beloved pet Oreo Cookies. Many, many people in the New Orleans area were not as fortunate as we were. Some stayed and died because they had no such option open to them. They would not leave their pets behind uncared for. There was no way for them to bring their pets with them during a mandatory evacuation, so they stayed with their pets and all paid the highest price with their lives.

After a week in Houston, we were able to find an apartment complex willing to allow us to have our pets reside with us. We settled into life there, as best as we could, not knowing what the future would bring us. Oreo was her normal, loveable self. She never knew a stranger. She would not pass up a good petting and playtime. She loved her bones and stuffed toys, especially her stuffed toy "Donkey" that she carried in her mouth everywhere she could take it. Even though life was upsetting for us, as long as she enjoyed these pleasantries, she was happy.

I awoke on September 21 in a Southwest Houston apartment and turned on the news in order to ascertain what (at that time) a new hurricane by the name of Rita was doing. I was greeted with the mayor of Houston along with the governor of Texas advising that all the low-lying areas of Houston were under a mandatory evacuation. Since parts of where we were staying is a flood plane, I woke my family, and once again we prepared to evacuate. We found ourselves trapped in another serious situation. I couldn't get my husband to agree to leave and we would not leave without him. Finally on September 22 we left Houston again fleeing, but this time it was to whatever was left of home in Marrero, La. I called my daughter Niki and her three daughters, who were staying in another area of Houston, and made sure she was also making plans to go home. We left Houston September 22 and all met up on the I-10, caravanning east-wast back to Louisiana. We left Houston at 6 am and arrived in Lake Charles, La. at 11 pm. This was because we were caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic heading east as well.

Houston was evacuating and all of them were on the highways. We had no food or water for the 12 1/2 hours we were on the road. All of us, including Oreo Cookies, were hungry and dehydrated. There were no businesses open and no way to eat or drink. When we pulled off the I-10 in Lake Charles, we were frightened and concerned for my daughter Niki and her three daughters. They had become lost in the traffic. We had no way of knowing if they were safe or in harm's way.

We went to a Time-Saver type-store, which was the only store open. There was no gas for our vehicles and the clerk in the store was selling a gallon of water for $3. He wanted only cash. The only thing we had on any of us were credit cards because we left so fast no one remembered to get any cash. When my husband Louis refused to pay this high of a price for water, a man, who later identified himself as a doctor at the local hospital, helped us by giving us a place to stay at his residence. He was our good Samaritan. There were other men at the Time Saver who claimed that they could get us lodging at the local hotel. But this seemed a strange offer because the hotels we drove by were closed. I got a bad feeling something was wrong with this situation and offer. Oreo Cookies also seemed to sense the same because she kept backing up against me, and if anyone came too close she growled at them. This was so uncharacteristic for Oreo. This dog didn't have a mean bone in her body. She loved everyone. But when these men came close to me the hair on her back stood up in a "mohawk" that ran from the top of head to the tip of her tail as if she sensed danger. When the man, who identified himself as the doctor, came close to me she acted as if she wanted him to pet her. She seemed to have no problem around him. Louis also observed Oreo's strange behavior and accepted the gracious offer from the doctor to stay with him. The men who wanted to bring us to the closed hotel gave the doctor a dirty and evil look. They backed off when they realized how Oreo was acting, as if to protect us from danger.

When we reached the doctor's home, he identified himself as Dr. Arnento. He fed us and gave us a place to sleep. At first he didn't want to let Oreo inside because of her behavior at the Time Saver store, but she put on her best manners and made friends. She would not leave my side the whole night. While at Dr. Arnento's home, I received a frantic call from my daughter Niki.

She and her girls were lost in the dark on the highway and no one would help her. Her 1 1/2 year old daughter had been vomiting from the intense heat, and as she vomited she cried. Her two other daughters were in terror of being out in the middle of nowhere, in the dark of night, with no petrol, a hurricane bearing down on them, and no way to get to safety. My husband and son took off in my vehicle in an attempt to locate Niki and the girls. They only found the horrible traffic that we had encountered earlier in the day. They returned back to the doctor's residence angry and frustrated because they couldn't get to them. Early in the morning hours of September 23, we were notified by cell phone that a state trooper from Louisiana State Police had assisted Niki and helped her to get petrol and get to safety.

That night before going to sleep, Dr. Arnento informed my husband that the next day he would have to leave to go on duty at a hospital in Shreveport, La. He did offer for us to stay in his home if we could find no other alternative shelter. He also admitted that even in normal thunderstorms his home flooded. So we felt that we had no alternative but to leave and find a safer shelter. My family and I awoke a few hours later. Knowing that Dr. Arnento would be leaving later on in the morning for Shreveport, I called the Lake Charles, La. Police Dept. and explained my situation only to be informed that even they were evacuating. I requested to know if there were any shelters, etc. available. The female dispatcher gave me little information. I asked what I should do. I was informed that it was my problem not theirs. Needless to say I became very upset by that statement, and I asked to speak with a supervisor or anyone else who knew more than she did. I was placed on hold and a male voice came on the line. I repeated what I had asked the female dispatcher. The male apparently was more informed than the female. He advised that if we could get to the Lake Charles Civic Center before 7:30 am we would be able to catch the last bus leaving the city. He advised that all of us could get to safety. He also advised that everyone including the police department was evacuating the city of Lake Charles.

I was appalled by this statement. I am a retired deputy sheriff from the Parish of Jefferson, La. In all my years in law enforcement, I had to "sit out" many hurricanes. I wasn't allowed to desert my post, no matter what type of personal danger there was to me as well as my brother and my sister, who were also deputies. I don't know about the police department of Lake Charles, but when I was sworn in as a deputy, I swore to protect and serve my community. I no more would have cut and run from a hurricane than fly. This was a part of the job and I knew it. Countless times I waved my family off to safety with one hand while pulling on my uniform with the other.

I thanked the male officer for the information. I woke up Dr. Arnento and advised him of our intentions to try and reach the civic center for the promised safety of the evacuation bus. We thanked him for all of his kindness and proceeded to the civic center. By this time, our vehicles were on fumes and my vehicle was down to half a tank of petrol. My vehicle could fit five people in it. We had six humans and a 65lb. Dalmatian/Pointer mixed breed dog. When we pulled into the civic center there were two buses left. I went to the first of the two buses and to see if there was room enough for six people and a dog. I was informed that there wasn't. This is when I approached a uniformed female officer. She identified herself as Cpl. Cheryl Leichleter. I was, at that time, informed by Cpl. Leichleter that I would not be allowed to take Oreo Cookies with me on the bus. "NO ANIMALS WERE BEING ALLOWED ON THE BUSES!"

We were out of time, out of petrol and had no means to make it home before Hurricane Rita made landfall. To make the situation worse, I now understood that I had to make the hardest decision I would ever have to make. I was traveling not only with my husband, son, daughter, and her boyfriend but also my 11 year-old grandson, who my husband and I are raising. I knew I could not allow them to stay with Oreo and me, and I knew Oreo would not be allowed to go with us. I wasn't about to leave Oreo alone, but my husband wouldn't leave me. I couldn't leave my grandson on an evacuation bus alone with his mother and boyfriend either. Because of a long-standing problem, she is incapable of taking care of herself and I am mobility impaired. My husband felt that I wouldn't be able to undertake a hurricane alone with my dog in a vehicle in the middle of a parking lot. Hurricane Rita was predicted to be a class 5 hurricane - the worst of the worst. I was caught in a dilemma.

A heated discussion ensued among my family. I chose to stay behind with Oreo and try to ride the hurricane out alone with her. I understood that I had to get my family to safety, but I knew I had a duty to Oreo Cookies as well. I was informed by Cpl. Leichleter to make up my mind. Again I was informed by her that this was my problem, not hers. She did, however, inform me that she had a safe shleter for the animals left behind. She would be taking care of them. She assured me that Oreo Cookies would be returned to me as soon as possible after Rita had made landfall. I was caught between a rock and hard place. I begrudgingly turned over Oreo to Cpl. Leichleter, because I thought I could trust my fellow officer to keep her word and take care of my pet. I entrusted one of my own sister officers with a family member. My trust was betrayed.

When I informed her of who I was and showed her my police I.D. in order to substantiate who I was, she didn't want to see it. I was advised to close it and put it away. She showed me no professional courtesy. Her attitude to me, and my family, was arrogant and ugly. The only thing I got from her was her arrogance and bad manners. My son even made mention to me that he had been around police all the days of his life, but had never seen a officer act this much like an "asshole." Even though there was no physical evidence to support her claim of having a safe area for the pets, I trusted her enough to believe she was telling me the truth. I know now the mistake I made in trusting her and accepting her word.

We exchanged phone numbers and names in writing. I was confused and ill and allowed my family to get me on the second and last bus pulling out of Lake Charles, La. I was instructed to leave my vehicle's door unlocked and leave Oreo Cookies in the back until Cpl. Leichleter could collect her. I even brought Cpl. Leichleter to my vehicle so she knew what dog and vehicle she needed to approach. When I took Oreo out on her leash to meet Cpl. Leichter, she was friendly. She recognized the police uniform. I didn't even have to give her a command. I just advised her that she would have to be nice to the officer while I was gone and I would come back for her after the storm had passed. On her own, she sat and put her right paw in the air so Cpl. Leichleter could shake it. This is how Oreo made friends. Cpl. Leichleter was so impressed that she even stated so and said that she wouldn't mind keeping her for herself. I placed Oreo back into the vehicle and kissed her and hugged her for the very last time. We boarded the very last bus. We had no idea where we were going or what was going to happen to us when we got there. All I knew was that after the hurricane passed, I some way, somehow had to make my way back to Oreo and bring her home again. I couldn't imagine what would happen. All I could do is stare at Oreo in my vehicle. I couldn't stop crying. I was what my mother used to describe as "crying trouble." I just could not shake the bad feelings I got when I looked at Oreo. I even got up and was trying to get my husband to allow me to exit the bus to get to Oreo before the bus pulled off. He wouldn't allow me to pass and wouldn't assist me in getting off the bus. He did point out to me that Cpl. Leichleter was walking towards my vehicle. Louis said to me, "Don't cry, honey. See, the officer is going to out vechicle to get Oreo and bring her to safety. Please don't cry anymore!" I looked and saw that someone had approached her and she stopped to speak with him. I never at any time saw her take Oreo Cookies into her custody. Embedded in my mind and heart is the last memories of Oreo before we left the civic center. I watched her starring out at me from the rear window of my vehicle. She was so unhappy.

As the bus pulled out of the parking lot, I saw Oreo running from side to side of my vehicle barking as if to say Please don't leave me alone, Mommy! Again all I could do is sit in my seat and cry. Seeing her panic in the backseat of my vehicle, I could do nothing but watch as the bus separated us by inches, feet and then miles. As I watched her fade from view, our hearts shattered into a million pieces--mine from being separated from my beloved pet, who was my best friend and guardian angel. I could see in those last seconds the confusion and fright on her face over why her "Mommy" was leaving and not taking her. How scared, alone and deserted she must have felt.

After a four to five hour ride on the bus we finely reached Shreveport La. only to find that the shelter was full and they could not take us in. The driver requested that we stay in our seats and went to speak with the National Guard officials. The officials informed him that there was a new shelter opening up in Bossier City, La., located across the river from Shreveport. This is where we were finally housed. I was a mess because all I did was cry. If you knew me, you would know that this is not my M.O. I just kept feeling that something was wrong with Oreo Cookies. The feeling was so strong that I could not shake it off.

We got settled in the Century Tel Center in Bossier City, La. September 24 at 3:30 am and Hurricane Rita made landfall in Lake Charles. After the storm had passed, I placed a called to the phone number that the officer who had Oreo gave to me as her phone number. Together I placed three phone calls to this number. Each time I spoke to the dispatch area of P.D. Lake Charles, La. To this date Cpl. Cheryl Leichleter has never returned any of my phone calls. Oreo Cookies was never meant to be a service dog. When we adopted her from the "Paws" organization of Plaquemines Parish, La., she was intended to be a beloved family member and friend for my grandson Brennan. Oreo is the one who made the decision that she was going to be a service dog. When she grew to 65lbs, and very large in size, she realized that she could help me. Due to being mobility impaired, if I fell or got down on the floor she would position her body so that I could pull up and get to my feet. I also have other medical problems. For instance, when I could not bend she would fetch and bring me items. She sensed that she had a higher calling and fulfilled that purpose. When I would have weak feelings and couldn't get out of bed she would stay by my side and keep me company. She became the original "couch potato." These are the reasons that I called her my best friend and guardian angel.

We stayed at the evacuation center until September 25, my birthday. We rented a truck from and made our way back home to Marrero, La. We found that our home was still there, but was not inhabitable. Trees had falled onto our house. Our electrical box was knocked off the house as well. In short we had $10,000 worth of damage. But no matter how much damage the house sustained we knew we could and would rebuild. Luckily our daughter resides directly across the road from us and had sustained minor damage. The Army Corp Of Engineers helped us by putting a blue roof on our house. But no other agency has assisted us in repairs. FEMA came out to assess the damage. When they assessed the damage, I was advised that I needed a whole new roof. Instead of getting any type of aid, we were advised by letter that they would only give us $230 and a chain saw. The $230 wasn't enough to repair our roof. I'm still not sure what they were intending when they sent the chain saw. I was informed that the blue roof that covered my entire roof was highly flammable. It was so close to the 4th of July holiday and with people firing firecrackers I could have had the biggest weenie roast in history!

The insurance company was no help either. They cut us a check that wasn't big enough to cover our roof. When I called them to inquire about our claim, they were rude and ugly. Between FEMA and the insurance company, I was off the charts with anger. To make things worse, New Orleans, La. has their own 21st century version of Carpet Baggers. But, the National Guard did hand out water, ice and food. This kept everyone going for at least two months after returning home until our infrastructure was reestablished.

On October 2 I was finally able to get online. I found a website that was trying to assist in locating missing pets and reuniting them. I never knew about microchipping our pets until after Katrina and Rita. If I had, I am sure that Oreo would have been located by now. Once I got online and posted my story about loosing Oreo, within hours I was amazed by the amount of people who responded. LeAnne G. and Lanette are from the Lake Charles, La. area and they were a godsend - especially LeAnne G. She is a friend of the animal control director, David Marcantel, and she informed him of my plight. He assured her that an APB (All Points Bulletins) was out on Oreo Cookies and all of his officers were aware of her case. LeAnne G. even went door-to-door in the Lake Charles area to make sure everyone in the area was aware that we were looking for Oreo. LeAnne G. even interceded for me when Cpl. Leichleter was refusing to speak to me. She had a conference with the police chief and Cpl. Leichleter. She has tried to uncover any and all information about what occurred on that fateful day. Lanette even called the police department and spoke to a Lt. Reinke (possibly spelled Reinecke).

Lannette was also given the runaround as I had been given. She was advised that Oreo was never picked up from the civic center. On October 3, a female lieutenant from the Lake Charles Police Department called my husband and would speak only to my husband. She advised that she only wanted to speak to him and she, like Cpl. Leichleter, refused to speak to me. The story from the police department keeps changing. I have heard so many stories that now I wouldn't believe any of them if they swore on a stack of Bibles. It's as if they are trying to cover something up. Oreo could not have fallen off the face of the planet, as these officers would have you believe. So many wonderful people have called them and the animal shelter that when they describe my case, names are not needed because they know exactly who you are speaking about. One day the truth will be revealed.

I am so grateful for all of the people who were and still are helping me to keep the search alive--people like LeAnne G., Lannette, Susan Greer, Susan F, Polina Spektor, Anita Woolison, Nellie Allain and all of the rest of the individuals who work tirelessly to reunite the misplaced animals and their families; organizations such as Stealth Volunteers, Best Friends, ASPCA, Petharbor.com, Petfinder.com, Dog Detective, Wildwood Pet Network have worked tirelessly since the hurricanes. I believe all of them have a special place in heaven for the good works they are doing. Despite the efforts of all these caring and wonderful people, to this date there are no clues leading to what really occurred to Oreo Cookies. Cpl. Leichleter is the key. She knows the truth and refuses to tell. I'll close with these parting statements. If Oreo Cookies is still alive and healthy please, please, God bring her safely home to me and mine again. I have dreamed that she will one day be sitting next to me with a big bow around her neck and her right paw lifted upwards extended to me in a greeting. And if she is dead, may her soul rest in peace in the knowledge that she was truly loved. I will never give up hope of one day finding her and bringing her home.

View photos of the missing pet Oreo Cookies.