The images of stranded, desperate animals left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina catalyzed my sister and me to become involved in animal rescue. When Katrina struck, we were at Cape Fear, North Carolina enjoying a wonderful beach combing vacation.  Relaxation gave way to horror at the sight of the devastation to the Gulf Coast. Returning home, Debbie answered an email pleading for drivers to take veterinary supplies to the Gulf and to return with homeless pets.  Standing in the parking lot of the Pearl River SPCA, Debbie walked up with a little bag of bones disguised as a puppy.  A dull coat and pot belly couldn’t hide the amazing optimism of the chocolate merle dog.  So thin that his skin tented from his spine to his hip bones, he was one of the nine Catahoulah Leopard Dog mixes not chosen by other transporters.  With supplies and man hours in short supply, the rule of triage dictated that the malnourished, ill litter would be euthanized.  Determined shelter workers kept them alive and hoped for one last transport. We were it.