From: Karen McCrory [wildwoodboxers@hotmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 6:21 PM
Subject: Lise' Chapman and family SAFE AND SOUND
All is well with Lise’ Chapman and family. Ike and I left early this
morning, found a gas station near his house so we turned back and went and
got his 4 wheeler and went back to park in line and filled up the 4 wheeler,
truck and several gas cans. While he was doing this I went inside and
bought 200 lbs of dog food and all the can goods off the shelves (tuna,
spam, bread, etc ).
We headed to Franklinton for a 2 hour drive. Once we got to Amite (the
biggest town before Franklinton), there were cars parked on side of the road
like they were waiting for the Mardi Gras Parades. These were waiting for
gas stations who have finally gotten some gas since Monday. We were told
the groceries stores were completely out of food and fast food restaurants
were closed due to no electricity. That area is kind of hilly so when we
topped a hill Ike said “just for the heck of it, try the cell phone.” I
called Allen’s number (Lise’s husband) and low and behold he picked up!!!!!
I asked where they were as it was so hard to hear and they kept cutting in
and out. He said it took them 3 days but they finally cut their way out
through the back of the property. They were actually only about 2 miles
from where we were so they stopped on side of the road to wait until we
caught up. The minute Lise’ saw me, she broke down. She said they had
never been so scared in their lives. They had almost completely run out of
water and food. They were rationing the water and giving the dogs only
about ½ a cup at a time. Remember they had 20 dogs and come to find out a
total of 11 people including a 3 year old!!! They had been working non stop
in 100 degree weather and 100% humidity cutting trees to get enough out of
the road way to get to a highway. Once they got to the highway, they were
able to use the cell phones to call out. Her niece drove all night from
Atlanta and brought supplies and especially gas. With the gas they had a
generator they could hook up to their water pump so they would have water.
Lise’ was not kidding when she said it looked like a war zone. SO MANY
TREES DOWN EVERYWHERE!!! It was unbelievable that they were able to cut
themselves out.
I don’t know if it was through all of your efforts in helping call but the
firefighters finally made their way up the road early hours this morning to
check on them. They had all the trees removed and Lise’ and Allan left at
4:00 am to go and try to find gas. It took them 4 hours and 3 towns to find
a gas station with gas.
But they are in good spirits. Ike and I followed them back to Lennie and
Joyce’s house as this is not the normal route. When Joyce and Lennie saw us
step out of the truck, the first thing I asked was “Is this where they
are holing the Boxer Club of Louisiana meeting?” this made them
laugh as it was a very emotional moment. They couldn’t believe we had made
this trek to come and rescue them. Even though they had pretty much been
rescued before we got there. LOL We brought them more water, precious gas
for the generator, toilet paper, food for human and dogs and then helped
them chain saw and remove trees off of their kennel buildings and out
buildings. When we were leaving we ran into Tom Shay, another club member
from Natchez, Mississippi, who was coming in with another large generator
and more gas so they should be fine for a while longer.
They are as stubborn and tough as the breed they love and they refused to
leave….and said now that they had supplies and the city knew they were
there, they were going to stick it out. I’m still worried about Joyce and
Lennie and Lise’s brother who all have major heart problems, but especially
Lennie. He was working as hard as the younger men and would not take a
break. We tried to get at least him and Joyce to leave, but they would have
none of it. Ike told them we would have been there sooner but he was waiting
for “Lassie” to come and tell him that Lise’ had fallen into the well.
Lise’ raises not only boxers but Collies too and her and Ike always go back
and forth about who is smarter …Collies or Boxers!! LOL Their niece will
come back down during the middle of next week or the weekend and bring more
supplies, horse feed and dog food.
If anyone in that area would like to donate dog food or horse feed or human
food to help them get through, please e-mail me privately and I’ll give you
their granddaughter’s e-mail address to coordinate it with her. They expect
to be without electricity for 1-2 months at least. On a very good note,
again, not sure if it was the efforts of everyone notifying authorities or
not, but when Ike and I were leaving and trying to find our way out the back
way, we ran across a Parish (we have Parishes instead of Counties) Personnel
with a bulldozer who was trying to clear the main gravel road into their
area. So now they will be able to get out the easiest and closest way to go
into town.
I have to say, I was so glad they were ok and I didn’t have to fell any
trees to get to them. I’m 49 years old, not in the best of
physical shape and WAY to old to be climbing over, cutting up and hauling
huge trees out of the way!!!! LOL If I had known I would end up on the
search and rescue team I would have taken far better care of my body!!!
I told all of them how WONDERFUL this list has been and how many people were
praying for their safety and believe me…..they were touched beyond words.
Once again, thank you to everyone who tried so hard to get to the
authorities in their behalf, to those who sent well wishes and prayers and
to those who kept our spirits up through out this scary ordeal. This has
been an effort of love and you will be blessed for your parts in it.
Hopefully no more excitement for a while. I’m going to rest for a few
minutes and then tend to the dogs here.
Talk soon
Karen McCrory
Wildwood Kennels
wildwood@eatel.net
Prairieville, Louisiana….. and thank you in behalf of Lise’ and Allan
Chapman, Margie Hennessey, Joyce and Lennie Meyer and Keith Meyer and
family.
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