"We were evacuated to the race track in Del Mar. The air was so poor (it was so black
and sooty that it looked like midnight at 2 in the afternoon; we couldn't
breathe). The race track was offering the only indoor facilities for people with
pets and horses. We were in a building, sleeping on the floor, with literally
hundreds of other people and their pets, everything from dogs and cats to birds,
snakes, rabbits, guinea pigs. You name it. All five of the dogs, including Maybelline
(wolfhound) who was just 12 weeks old at the time, seemed to realize
that something was wrong and they were all on their very best behavior. They stayed
by our sides throughout the entire ordeal. Because of the number and sizes
of our dogs, the National Guard provided us with a nice large corner of the room
to set up camp. Ethel (sarplaninac) stayed up all night and guarded all of us.
Maybelline, who didn't really know us very well (we'd had her less than one
week), curled up between Phil (leonberger) and Bob (wolfhound) and wouldn't leave
their sides. It was extremely well-organized and the volunteers and National Guard did their best to make everyone as comfortable as possible. Professional dog handlers were there volunteering their time, taking people's dogs outside for potty breaks throughout the night. Jockeys and horse-trainers were volunteering their time, helping the people who evacuated horses. There were 2400 horses evacuated to the racetrack that's only designed to accommodate 1800 horses. Pet food companies and equipment suppliers delivered literally tons of all kinds of pet foods, bowls, leashes, cages, x-pens, etc., all available for free for anyone who needed anything. Linen stores delivered piles of pillows and blankets. The Marines delivered hundreds of cots. There was plenty of hot food and water. There were televisions set up throughout all of the buildings so people knew what was happening in their neighborhoods. I can't say enough about how well-organized and gracious everyone was in such a devastating disaster." Genette Fuller |
Bob & friends Wildfire evacuation |