Short Story

Displaced

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for The Unicorn Challenge where we are
encouraged to write something creative in 250 words
or less, using the photo below as inspiration. Here’s my story.

Covered in filth and mange, the horde of dogs and cats that survived the hurricane were crammed into military vans. Those once long-haired canines with soft billowy fur now resembled stone creatures encased in a shell of thick crust.  Scrawny, flea-ridden cats no longer purred contentedly but howled in fear. Muscular pit bulls were reduced to skeletons, the outlines of ribcages clearly visible in emaciated bodies.

The relentless rain caused the levees to burst, resulting in flooding; homeowners lost everything. Many scrambled to their roofs in a desperate attempt to save themselves while others tried swimming to safety. Those lucky enough to own a rowboat floated on the flood waters, dragging people into their boats along the way. 

A state of emergency was declared; first responders worked ceaselessly. Overlong, the levees were rebuilt and people relocated. 

Tragically, family pets were forgotten in the frenzy or deliberately left behind. When the waters subsided weeks later, they were found chained to fences and porch railings. Some had climbed up trees or hidden themselves away in the attics of abandoned houses. They were scared, starving, sick. Innumerable were dead.

Helpless, hopeless pets were brought to makeshift hospitals. With unbelievable patience, veterinarians treated every surviving animal, gently cutting away matted crusty fur, administering antibiotics and vaccines, providing food and water, bringing those nearly dead back to life. The doctors never rested; they desperately hoped to save more than they did but the struggle was too great. Too many innocents didn’t stand a chance.

NAR©2024
250 Words

Authors Note: True account of Hurricane Katrina, August 23-31, 2005, New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Unicorn Challenge-05/07/24

This is “When The Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk and The Rhythm Section and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

39 thoughts on “Displaced”

  1. Heart-rending story, all the more so for having actually occured. I’d like to think that many were unaware of just how serious the flooding would be, and expected that in a short while they’d be reunited with their pets.

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    2. A few years back, we had massive flooding here in MN. There’s footage of cows being tossed around in the floodwaters of a swollen river, their tiny heads just above the waves as they speed along. Not sure if any survived, but I’m thinking the farmers never dreamed such a thing could happen. The humanity, as well as the economy!

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  3. Sore, Nancy, very sore.
    A brutal first paragraph and then the context – even more horrifying because it’s based on reality.
    I echo Clark’s comment.
    And we’re supposed to be the civilised ones.
    Like you, I think it’s better to give the benefit of the doubt and say that people didn’t recognise the scale of what was happening or didn’t have the chance to untether their pets…

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  6. Wonder how many people who left their dogs and/or cats resettled somewhere and have new dogs or cats, and don’t give their old ones a second thought? I know that’s ugly, but that’s the way they think… If I couldn’t get the cats out, I’d stay with them…

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    1. Unless the people who left their dogs chained up didn’t realize how bad the flooding was going to get or were so confused by the chaos that they forgot about them, there’s no acceptable answer. I’ve heard of people who move away and leave their pets behind. I can’t wrap my head around that. Pets are not disposable! Our pets are part of the family; we take them on vacation. Where we go, they go, and if that’s not possible we have a friend watch and care for them. I can’t condone or forgive this behavior.

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  7. My heart with in my throat during this read. Every time there is a tragedy of this type so many pets perish. The vets and helpers are angels on earth.

    Excellent write, my friend.

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  12. ultimate tragedy those with qualities the world sorely lack, are chained and thereby condemned by those with Power and no soul

    thought-provoking ‘corn this week

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    1. Innocents who would protect their families with their very lives are not afforded a second thought. Why leave a pet shackled to face certain death? How? I cannot fathom the heartlessness. I can’t bear to imaging the panic.

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