Diary of a Flood Survivor

SAMANTHA ELLEY

It seems that nearly every household in Woodburn has a dog, sometimes two. We have a dog, so we feel right at home.

He is our little cross Maltese-Shitzu, called Odi, who will be turning 11 years old in March.

Whenever I walk him in the morning, the whole street explodes as each of the dogs greet him with a litany of barking from the deep-throated ‘I am gonna have you for a snack’, to ‘Hey Odi, wish I was walking with you’ to the high-pitched squeaky toy dog who I’m sure Odi could have as a snack.

My husband has always commented that he knows when we are returning as the dogs perform their barking guard of honour once again when they see us.

Many of the dogs were around to experience the food and it has had me wondering how they coped with the drama and changes of that time.

I know Odi experienced some challenges, so much so that he didn’t want to sleep in his bed (which we took with us to our friends who put us up) anymore, preferring to sleep at the end of ours.

He had to deal with new surroundings for seven months AND with another dog to share the house. Even when we came home, he has continued to sleep at the end of our bed.

It’s not just dogs either.

Being a rural area many people who suffered from the food had a wide range of animals to take care of, I mean who can forget the horses on the bridge. Sadly, there many animals that didn’t survive either.

Not just stock, but also loved pets and many tears were shed at their loss.

This article is in memory of little Bella who recently passed over the heavenly bridge and who was our favourite little fuff ball in the offce. Little steps.