This Moment: Fri 23rd Sept.

{This Moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. 

Adopted from Soulemama. Drop in there and leave your link and comments also.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

I need you to ask about this dog. She's not mine but rather special.
OK, I'll tell you about her.

I don't write much about the Christchurch earthquakes because the psychological trauma is hard for outsiders to truly understand. But I do know that our many friends and families have gone through all the range of emotions we humans can experience; physical sickness, terror, numbness, anger and frustration are known to them, and deeply.

So those are their stories to tell, because I would not be able to write them as they should be.

3 weeks ago we flew down, hired a car from Allways Rentals,-( thanks Merav ), and tiki-toured around Christchurch and caught up with rellies and friends. My sister was so glad to have us stay a night and she relived the event and the subsequent ongoing aftershocks, by telling us vividly about the quakes and the effects that they have had on their lives. 3 major quakes and over 8,000 aftershocks have rocked Christchurch in the past 12 months.

When the second big quake struck Christchurch in February, my sister's house, built on Huntsbury Hills area of the Cashmere Hills which lie between Christchurch and Lyttleton, was very badly shaken and damaged. My brother-in-law is an engineer for a major roading contracting company, and he explained they believe the land was violently thrust up, then resettled somewhat but leaving that area 400 mms higher. While the house is still standing and liveable, all the interior and exterior cladding joins are busted open. Many houses around them are to be demolished. Roads were buckled and upthrusted. Chasms appeared. Roofs and block walls toppled. Rocks the size of cars bounced down the slopes. Terrified dogs and cats disappeared.

Honey is my sister's family dog, a sweet natured, sensitive animal, as all Newfoundlands are of course. Terrified, she fled. My sister's family searched the neighbourhood all day, along with many other residents also seeking their loved pets.  Eventually next night, Honey turned up at their door, bringing with her a bunch of other scared dogs! 5 other dogs who had run off and couldn't find their way home.

Can you imagine how those animals feeling sheer terror had sought out each other's company, forming a pack for comfort?

"OK guys, let's buddy up. Big hugs. Umm...anyone know their way back home?"
"Nope."
"Oh well, you can all come home with me then. I think we live up there somewhere."
"You think they'll mind?"
"Nope. I'll let them know you're my buddies now."

Such a sweet little story. So in the depths of human disaster, there needs to be thought given to our pets. When the SPCA launched their appeal for desperately needed funds to put on extra staff to help locate all the stray animals, and  provide feed and shelter until re-united with owners, we contributed heavily.
Our pets are our family. 
We need to consider them also.

An historic house in Lyttleton propped up. Maybe it will be saved.

This Moment: Fri 23rd Sept.

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