Silent Voices

On a day when many bloggers are choosing to honor the memory of the Virginia Tech massacre with a day of silence, I've opted to remind you once again of all those furry ones who perished needlessly in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Not because they deserve to be remembered MORE, but because they deserve the same remembrance and compassion. And although I agree with the gesture and collective joining of spirits in remembrance for the loss of any and all life, silence doesn't change the world... action does.

So I want to direct you to the trailer of an incredible documentary, Dark Water Rising. The movie is filmed by world-remowned documentary photojournalist and filmmaker Mike Shiley. Here is the description of the film from the filmmaker/director's press release:

Over 50,000 dogs and cats were left behind in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. This forced separation created America’s first-ever major animal rescue.

A dedicated and compassionate group of volunteer rescuers and animal welfare groups from around the world risked their lives to sledgehammer down doors and brave toxic floodwaters in a truly heroic effort to save nearly 10,000 animals.

Some rescuers worked the official rescue organizations, like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), Best Friends, and the American Humane Society, while others joined a more aggressive rescue outfit, code named Winn Dixie.

This film tells many uplifting stories of hope and survival as pets are reunited with their owners while other lucky animals find loving new homes.

Rescuers came from all walks of life and backgrounds to help out. From passionate animal activists to prison inmates, an entire cross section of America interrupted their daily routines to do the right thing in face of incredible odds.

Because of the media exposure of this historic rescue operation, Congress passed the PETS Act, which requires states to have animal evacuation plans in place in order to receive FEMA funding.

Dark Water Rising is a film about hope and survival in the face of the one of the worst natural disasters in American history.

It will renew your faith in the American spirit.