I'm forwarding all these for Chere McCoy... - Nancy From: Chere Mccoy <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] MMDF-Warning: Parse error in original version of preceding line at louie.udel.edu Subject: Angela Part 1 Message-Id: <[log in to unmask]> Nancy please see these get to all newtworks, Internet Genie, etc. It began at 6:00AM Sunday 7 Sept. 1992. Up and about Pet Taxi's were loaded into the truck (which the night before had been loaded with food, medical supplies and litter). At 7:00AM everything went to the airport and the plane was loaded. Larry called Miami Center, and the Opa Locka Tower for clearance - both were curious and took great interest in the Ferret Rescue (guarenteed minimum ground time). Larry was notified of weather and special restricted areas (everywhere down there). Great faith was put in Larry after all a retired Lt. Col USAF with two tours in Vietnam flying fighters - all knew the airlift in Larry's hands would go without a hitch. At 8:00AM Skyhawk N3422E lifted off from New Hibiscus Airport, Vero Beach, FL. Meanwhile in Miami, Angela, husband Juan, and Seth (a Miami Club Member). were getting Evacuees ready. All kids had been freshly scrubbed, medical records gather up, put in pet taxi's and off they went to meet the plane in Opa Locka. At precisely 9:30AM (coordinated meeting time) Skyhawk N3422E was cleared to land. They taxied in and there was Juan and the ground personnel waving them into the MAIN terminal. N3422E was given a parking position out in front. The cars bringing the ferrets in were allowed and unpresented parking slot 100 feet from the plane. Ferrets were unloaded and put in the shade. Temperature was 82@ - everything must be taken care of in 45 minutes time is critical the temperature is rising. From: Chere Mccoy <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] MMDF-Warning: Parse error in original version of preceding line at louie.udel.edu Subject: Angela Part 2 Message-Id: <[log in to unmask]> It was a whirlwind. Ferrets were tagged, ferret records and medical information put in individual ferret folders, Ferrets taxi's (which had been taken apart to provide needed room in aircraft for supplies) were put togather, Taxi's were marked. Ferrets were wiped down with fresh cool water to insure no one overheated. Overlooking everything were the two police carsd, airport personnel and military from the USAF, Army and Coast Guard. Ferrets were ready for loading. Water bottles ready for attachment to cage Ferrets were loaded. Angela stood (wearing the one pair of shoes the Hurricane had left her) with tears in her eyes as she waved goodbye to her shelter kids. Ground clearance came, Windows of aircraft were open to provide air prior to take off. Stop made at runway for Tower Clearance and checklist. At 10:45 N3422E left the ground and was airbourne with it's precious Cargo heading North to Vero. We had to get Altitude it was too hot for the ferrets Windows were reopened letting air in. Chere checking ferret for overheating hanging over the seat with wet cool towel in hand. Finally 4500feet - air cooler, ferrets fine. We had a tail wind trip to Vero would be shorter. Fifteen miles out radio call to Vero. "Skyhawk N3422E 15 miles South of New Hibiscus - all is fine" From: Chere Mccoy <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] MMDF-Warning: Parse error in original version of preceding line at louie.udel.edu Subject: ANGELA PART 3 Message-Id: <[log in to unmask]> As we came on final we could see those Texas folks with Video Camera in hand filming the touch down. TOUCHDOWN, N3422E taxied to within 50 Feet of the Ferret Rescue and processing center. Engine cut doors flew open, people moving faster then lighting, grabbing cages running with them to the Air Conditioned Processing center. by 10:48 all ferrets inside and cooling. Craig and Mike from the Houston Area Ferret Association checking each ferret to care for immediate needs. Files opened - adoption papers and Medical authorizations ready for incoming parents. 12:30PM first adoptive parents arrived (cages in hand) papers filled out, medical briefing for each ferret given, (all the while parents holding their new kids), then it's time - we watch as they leave for their new homes. We gather up those to go to our shelter and those to go with the Houston people and we head home. I make lunch it's 2:30PM in the afternoon and everyone is starved. Meanwhile Larry is helping Craig and Mike get their ferrets ready for the trip back to Houston 3:00PM Larry must leave he has to take doctors to Homestead and bring other doctors back. At 4:00PM the wonderful Houston people were ready to go and I stood in the driveway and waved goodbye to Mike, Craig, and the six Ferrets they took with them. From: Chere Mccoy <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] MMDF-Warning: Parse error in original version of preceding line at louie.udel.edu Subject: ANGELA FINAL PART Message-Id: <[log in to unmask]> Time to clean up - move the shelter kids to bigger cages, clean out the pet taxi's for the next load, wash all the linen so the ferrets could have clean in the morning. Sit down for a minute and play back the answering machine. IT WAS ANGELA SHE LEFT A MESSAGE CALL "CALL ME SOONEST HOW ARE THE KIDS". Called Angela right away and told her how well all went. Angela's voice cracked as she told of her greatfulness for the supplies and the homes the ferrets would get. She wanted to know whom each kid went to. 5:00pm, it's exercise time (hm' now which ones can play together). 10:30PM all ferret's exercised, in cages an sleeping peacefully. 11:30PM all paperworks been quadripple checked - walk around for last night check - All peaceful. Time for bed. Tommorrow it starts again new preparation for the next supply drop of and ferret pick-up Yes tommorrow will be another WONDERFUL HAPPY DAY. Signed Chere McCoy, President Ferret Friends of Indian River County. --- end forwarded mail Nancy Hartman CIS graduate student [log in to unmask] U. of Delaware President and founder, Delaware Valley Ferret Club Owner of Percy & Bree [Posted in FML issue 0300]