As many of you already know, our house burnt down on March 24.  All the people and animals are safe and sound, even the cat who weathered the whole incident under the bed.

In the end, we lost the house, most of the furniture and about half our belongings.  The volunteer fire department was great and while half of them fought the fire, the other half brought out what they could.  They grabbed what looked most important first, so all the Nationals dog pictures and awards from our living room made it out.  Most of our valuables survived including most of our photos and paperwork.  We have clothes after many loads of wash.

We bought a small building for the dogs, with plans for air conditioning soon.  We traded in our travel trailer for one that was more compatible with life without killing each other, ie working heat, shower, kitchen, and more room.  Long term plans are more unknown, other than we don't want another mobile home.  We may rebuild here, or move somewhere else in the Tallahassee area.  So while we save for the down payment and deal with some extra costs here, we are cutting back on stock, dogs, and showing.  But we will be back in full force soon.

The most important thing we learned with this experience is how many people we have become friends with, and how caring and generous they are.  We received so many the phone calls  the first few days from people offering anything they could do, and we so appreciate everyone. Of course our families have been wonderful.  Locally, coworkers from the Northwest Florida Water Management District and Allied Emergency Veterinary Hospital have been there for us. . We  hope we don't leave out anyone when we give special thanks to "Aussie People"  Lori Fausett (who worked her butt off, as well as sons Justin and Johnny), Shari Sylvia, Leida Jones, Wayne Kirby, Ronnie Bates, Tom and Tina Couture, Trisha and John Herring, Ann and Tom Adkisson, Marie Arp, Ann & Steve Shope, Sherry Fieser, Gail Waller, Glenda Stephenson, Ginny Lohse, Wayne and Jill Brass, Cheryl Padgett,  Sharron McCully, Amy Burnett and Melinda and Rick Gann. Great thanks also go to the WASCUNY, Brandywine, and Southern Florida Australian Shepherd Clubs.  You have all made it much easier.

Thank you,

Laura and David