Saturday, September 11, 2010

A 9-11 Story--Two Goldens Who Survived

On September 11th, my mind of course goes back to what started out as a sunny and beautiful Tuesday morning and turned into an unthinkable nightmare. We lived here in the Washington DC area and Carl was working not far from the Pentagon. While we were not directly affected by those events, we knew people who were.

As you know there are many heroes and stories of that day. One story in particular that really touches my heart is the story of 2 Golden Retrievers in New York City (not far from Ground Zero) named Hope and Darwin who survived that day. Eric and Nan now live just down the road from us here in Northern Virginia. We became friends when they adopted one of our foster dogs named Abby. I heard from Nan this morning and like so many of us, she wonders how it could be 9 years.

Today I'd like to share Nan's very compelling story with you. You can read the story by clicking here to get to a link that also provides pictures.

41 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, what a read. I'm crying with the sadness of it all and the strength of their love to get to those dear dogs. Lucky lucky dogs. I'm speechless. Thinking of all the people of USA today and sending love.

    Jo
    x

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  2. Kim,
    What a truly moving story.
    Sept 11, who will ever forget that horrible day. It's these true stories that make us realize how strong you can actually become to overcome the worst.
    I'm so glad this was a happy ending.
    God Bless them.

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  3. Somehow, putting a personal story behind all the images of the Twin Towers collapsing makes it all the more real. I mourn not only for all the people who lost their lives that day but for the animals as well.

    Nan and Eric were indeed lucky that they were able to get back to their home and rescue their beloved Goldens!

    I wish them and all the other 'survivors' peace.

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  4. That was a gripping story! Thank you for sharing it with us, Kim. So glad everything turned out okay for this family!

    Liz

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  5. I'm crying. I love them for not giving up and making sure their whole family was safe.

    Sam

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  6. I remember that day like it was yesterday, and heard the many stories of death and destruction. I know this family and others had a horrific time and I am glad this story had a happy ending. I am crying (what else?) for them all, from joy and sorrow.
    Thank you for sharing their story!

    XXX

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  7. I'm so glad they were able to get to their dogs and they were ok.

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  8. Dear Heavens, that made me tear up. I'm always at a loss as to what to say about that day. Words seem too weak for the emotions we all felt.

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  9. Thank you so much for sharing such a moving story. Such a sad day for everyone. S x x

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  10. Kim what a amazing and compelling story! I was in tears as I read it because all through that day my sister in Montreal and I in Kansas City were on the phone in shock and as always her main concern, being who she is, was for the animals.
    Although I personally knew no one there that day I had nightmares for many months. In some ways I think all Americans were New Yorkers that day and a part of us always will be.
    I am so happy that those precious Goldens were found safe and sound. That is the thought I will hold onto this day.
    Tina xo

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  11. Oh Kim...
    I too am so tearful! What an incredible story! I read every word...
    We were watching...I saw the second tower come down (On international TV)
    Oh, so far...Oh, so near!
    Sending lotsaluv
    MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

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  12. Kim, Thank you for sharing this today; I'm so thankful that your friends and their babies came away alright. Here we are 9 yrs later and the memories of this tragic event come flooding back.
    Hugs to you.
    Noreen

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  13. What an amazing story, thank you for sharing it with us. I'm so glad everything turned out okay for them.

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  14. Thank you for sharing that story. Hopefully, we will all take a second or two to remember those lost on that day and the families.

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  15. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story of survival. I can only imagine how that would feel, trying to reach your beloved dogs in all that went on that day. I am so glad that it all worked out in the end.--Inger

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  16. What a story!!! We are (evern thousands of miles away) never going to forget that awful day!! I am a very emotional person and it affected me very strongly!!!
    Dogs aren't they just the very best people on this earth!!!!!!!!!
    My Mother died on 9-11-05. A second wammie!!!!
    Thanks so much for this!!!
    Love you guys, Fern

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  17. Dear Kim,
    I'm crying. Not only all Americans were New Yorkers nine years ago but also all French people were.
    What a moving story that came, thanks to God, to a good end.
    Our friend's daughter was there and she couldn't phone to tell her parents that she was all right. It was a nightmare.
    Hugs from Alsace/France

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  18. a lovely tribute to an awful day

    a fantastic post

    much love
    john

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  19. Dear Kim,
    After reading your story, I tried to leave a comment. I am back now, and this story is so touching.
    I know everyone can feel the emotions as they grip at their throat, as we read.
    The words that someone said are so true,,, sometimes there are no words to describe all that happened, but I know we all stand united, and we will never forget.
    Thank you for sharing this story.
    love
    tweedles

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  20. That is a wonderful story. I can't imagine the emotional roller coaster of actually being there that day and having something so dear to one's heart, just out of reach for so long.

    Thanks for sharing this.

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  21. Oh Kim,
    That was a very touching tale!
    Cannot begin to imagine how difficult it must have been for Eric n Nan to have spent the night wondering about their Goldens.
    Please do tell them their babies look so beautiful in those pictures..hugs for them.
    We in India can understand terrorism so well...there are threaths at each step, each festival is a high security, high alert situation.
    so much has been destroyed in the name of religion...will things change?
    with love,
    A

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  22. What a beautiful story. I am in tears here. I remember the day. All the stories that happened...oh my.

    Thank you for sharing this.

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  23. That one gets the OH MY post of the day -

    What a GREat read -

    Thanks much for sharing it with us -

    Merdie and Khyra give Hope and Darwin a big floofy tail up!

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  24. Thank you for this post. I will remember it forever.

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  25. Kim,

    Thank you for putting Eric and Nan's amazing story on your blog. I read every word, so pleased that they were able to rescue their dogs, but also aware of the immense tragedy for so many others that day.

    Remebering 9/11 today,
    Riley's mum

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  26. What a wonderful story and I am so glad you shared it with us. Nan and Eric were very lucky to be able to reunite with their dogs and I am so happy for all of them!

    I remember the very moment that the attacks started because I was teaching a group of high schoolers in Pensacola, FL, when the news came over the loudspeakers. Event the rowdiest students stopped talking and listened to every word. All of the students were somber for the rest of the day and I felt the same way.

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  27. Thank you for sharing.
    Ben and the fellas

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  28. That really brought home the tragedy of that day. Thanks Kim....xxx

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  29. Wonderful, touching story, Kim...thanks for sharing it!

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  30. Wonderful, touching story, Kim. Thanks for sharing it!

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  31. What an incredible story - very real.
    My thoughts kept drifting back to this terrible day all day yesterday

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  32. Woof! Woof! What a great story to share KIM ... mom had tears reading it. 911 was such a tragic event that many people truly taught how they want to live their lives ... Thanks for sharing. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  33. I sat over the weekend thinking how I haven't done anything special to remember the day in a way that searches my heart for feelings I felt 9 years ago.(aside from watching a few things on the history channel in the evening.)
    The story you shared is exactly what I needed.

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  34. First of all it's really nice to meet you. Secondly, this story is just...powerful! It's amazing how dogs can survive!

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  35. Wow. What a horrible and beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.

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  36. We heard about your post from Sue at the Portuguese Water Dogs blog. What an incredible story. My husband was in the city that day and I will never forget every minute of the time I waited and waited and prayed and prayed to hear from him. Hope and Darwin were so lucky and their humans surely exemplify love at its best.

    The OP Pack's Mom

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  37. Thank you for this post. Sue over at the Water Dogs blog sent me over. This made us all teary but such a good read. I'm so happy the pups were none the wiser about the horrific events outside their windows.

    Wags,
    Zona

    PeeS: We live in the outskirts of NoVa too. You're right about it being a beautiful place to live!

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  38. Thank you for sharing this amazing story. What lucky dogs, what wonderful owners.

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  39. Sue and the Porties told me there was an unforgettable story waiting for me at this blog, and that is certainly true.

    Thanks to Eric and Nan for sharing it and Kim, you for using it.

    Kisses,

    Stella and her Mom

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  40. Kim,

    Thank you for sharing this amazing story - it is heartbreaking, but heartwarming as well. I would have been the same - trying to get to my beloved dogs.

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  41. wow what a story...........I too couldn't believe it had been nine years already. So many lives lost.....

    Gill in Canada

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