This month Albert asked me to step in as a guest journalist. My name is Tucker and I'm a whippet who lives with Albert. I'm the older and wiser leader of our pack. Because I lived in Manhattan on 9/11, Albert thought I might be able to give some perspective to this month's column.

There are so many tragedies that came from Hurricane Katrina, and we have been deluged with images that keep us awake at night. It was the same way during the days and months that followed 9/11, but the thing that kept me and my people going were the stories of heroism, grace and altruism. Many of those stories involved the amazing dogs who searched the rubble tirelessly for the living and the dead.

I recently learned of an evacuee in New Orleans who was told he could only bring one of his beloved pets with him to safety. He chose the weakest puppy and left the mother, another puppy, and a cat behind with food and water to last for a few days (thinking he would return in that time). Nearly 13 days later, he was finally able to find someone willing to take him back home to search for his pets. He believed they could not have survived, but he had to be sure. As the boat rounded the corner to his house, all three animals were waiting – emaciated but ecstatic to see him. When the boat was close enough, the dog, the puppy and the cat jumped aboard.

Repeatedly, my people and I heard of residents in New Orleans who would not evacuate because they did not want to leave their animals. I watched a man cry as he sat on his roof with his three dogs and apologized to them for not being able to get them to safety. I was struck, as never before, by the absolute bond between pets and people.

In a far different situation last weekend, my people watched as cyclists rode hundreds of miles to raise money for multiple sclerosis. Two hours into the event, a big, burly rider noticed a weeks-old kitten by the side of the highway along the route. He stopped, called the vet for instructions, put the little kitty in the deep pocket of his jersey and provided water along the way. He finished the fundraiser with his newly adopted friend purring by his side. He named her Spoke.

And close to home, on the same weekend, Middleburg Humane Foundation set out for the Gulf Coast to do what they could do for animals in need.

Not just at disaster sites but all over the world each day, there are acts of kindness that make my species proud. Thank you to the people who braved toxic flood waters and deplorable conditions for the sake of animals. Thank you to the man who interrupted his day (and life) to care for an abandoned kitten. Thank you to Middleburg Humane and all of the other organizations doing so much for animal rescue. And importantly, thanks to those of you who tirelessly provide for your own four-legged friends on a daily basis.

In the midst of tragedy are lessons. Perhaps this tragedy's lesson will be a greater focus on not only human but animal welfare in the depths of catastrophe. In the name of the many dogs and cats who sat on rooftops waiting for help that never came, please remember to remember our four-legged friends. The tiny kitten on the side of the highway was as much in need as the animals victimized by Katrina. Opportunity is all around us. Tragedy in the animal world is only as far away as the nearest shelter. Give money. Give love. Give homes. We will give endlessly in return.

Your Furry Friend,
Tucker

Albert, a Jack Russell Terrier, is Chairman of the Board of Wylie Wagg, a shop for dogs, cats, and their people, in Middleburg.

Bella, the German Shepherd puppy who needed life-saving surgery, is in fine form and recovering by leaps and bounds. Middleburg area citizens deserve a lot of credit for Bella's recovery because so many cared enough about her plight to dig deep in their pockets for contributions to the Wrapped in Kindness Fund for her at last months Dog Day festivities.

Bella's follow-up appointment at the University of Pennsylvania should go very well according to Kate Bland, founder of Wrapped in Kindness.

When asked what Wrapped in Kindness is focused on now, Bland said she had raised over $1,000 for animal victims of Hurricane Katrina. "We received cash donations of $550 in only ten days and another $500 from the sale of pet beds, flip flops and scarves."

"When I let people know that we would send 100% of our donations to help animal victims in the Hurricane Katrina area," I had no idea what that would mean. Summer was quickly coming to a close, and sales of flip flops had slowed considerably. Thanks to Larry and Laura at Wylie Wag, our pet beds were displayed in the middle of the store and people have responded with amazing generosity."

Wrapped in Kindness donations will be sent to The Mosby Foundation which has already raised thousands of dollars for Katrina's animal victims and has a well-vetted list of organizations in the area who will receive their donations.

The Wrapped in Kindness challenge continues through October. For information about how to contribute, please visit wrappedinkindness.com.