Tails of Triumph: Animals Tell Their Katrina Stories

by Terri Steuben

In her new book, Terri Steuben shares what the animals told her about Hurricane Katrina and “the day the water came.”

Terri kept a journal of her experiences with The Humane Society of the United States in the summer of 2005, as she found and rescued animals in the muddy rubble of New Orleans. Dogs, cats, horses and other creatures that survived Katrina talked to her about their despair, confusion, determination and, ultimately, freedom.

For the first time, you can read the pets’ perspective and their stories of triumph—thanks to Terri, a gifted animal communicator and trained disaster responder.

Along with volunteers and professionals from all over the U.S. and Canada, Terri came into what many described as a “war zone” and searched through flooded streets and houses for animals that survived the flooding. Those pets endured days and nights of heat, humidity, fear and loneliness—often without food and water—until they could be rescued and taken to safety.

Terri’s ability to talk telepathically to animals, her disaster training and her experience working with aggressive dogs made her a valuable asset to the response team. She served alongside firefighters, National Guardsmen, veterinarians and animal control officers to locate and help the pets. She could connect with the traumatized animals quickly, calm them down and reassure them that they were going to be okay.

That’s because Terri heard what the pets were saying: “I’m over here on top of the refrigerator!” “Is it safe to go with you?” “My head hurts.” “Do you have food?” “Mom said to stay here until she gets back.” “I can leave my yard?” “Fresh air!” “I made it!”

You’ll read—in their own words—the stories of…

• The dog that roamed the streets for food and took mouthfuls back to a little buddy who couldn’t leave their house
• The cat that broke into a kitchen cupboard to get to food and lived quite nicely on toaster pastries
• The guard dog who didn’t want to be rescued because he needed to stay and keep his house safe, only to finally get outside and realize most of it had washed away
• The white horse that waited patiently for weeks for her daddy to find her, and almost broke down the stall when she sensed him coming up the road
• The cats that rationed food and water to make it last, just like their mom told them to do
• The 500-pound pig that weathered the storm and danced with her mama and papa in the backyard
• The fighting dog that wouldn’t fight and was chained under a house without food or water for more than three weeks, then was saved so he could be adopted by a caring, new owner
• And more!

There’s sadness and joy in these amazing stories. These courageous animals lived through a nightmare and never gave up. There’s also much to learn from them about what our pets think and feel, how strong and resourceful they can be, and the depth of the loyalty and love they have for us. Their words will inspire you and help you better understand the needs and behavior of all animals.

Genres: Nonfiction, Pets

330 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2015

About the author

Terri Steuben gives animals a voice. Terri is an animal communicator who has counseled thousands of pet owners for 25 years. Using her psychic abilities and practical experience, she helps people around the world better understand their animals and solve behavior and health problems. In addition, Terri is a trained volunteer who serves on disaster response teams to keep animals safe in emergencies. She has been deployed with The Humane Society of the United States National Disaster Animal Response Team, the United Animal Nations Emergency Animal Rescue Service, and the Mounted Assistance Unit Equestrian Training Institute. She is also called to work alongside law enforcement officials in search-and-seizure operations involving animal hoarding and abuse. She is a public speaker and trainer, who presents on animal communication techniques, holistic health approaches, and emergency preparedness. Her first book, Secrets of a Pet Whisperer: Stop Telling Your Animals to Misbehave, is a how-to communication guide for pet owners that also contains information and checklists on preparing for emergencies. In her second book, Tails of Triumph: Animals Tell Their Katrina Stories, she shares what dogs, cats and other animals told her as she and her rescue team took them to safety in devastated post-Katrina New Orleans.

Reviews

[Alyssa]

I met Terri in the last year after a friend told me about her. Of course I was apprehensive about an animal communicator. My friend had seen it with her own eyes several times and was amazed. I thought I would try to see if she could really communicate with my then puppy who was having issues with food. She came over and all she knew was my puppy is a lab and how old she was. I was AMAZED on what Sadie (now 18 months old) had told her. Terri said things I never even told her and she knew nothing about our lives. Sadie and I have this bond that we never would have had without Terri and Terri does reiki on her to help her heal faster from all of her allergies. When she came out with her book I read it and her stories were tear jerking (in a good way). These animals went through so much and she was able to help them through their journey after hurricane Katrina. Some were fine and some were injured and she help identify to other people the needs of each animal. What an incredible story!!!!

[Dolores]

Thousands of dogs, cats, and other animals were left behind when their desperate owners had to leave New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Some lived through the storm and flooding and managed to survive until they could be rescued. Terri Steuben was one of those rescuers. She was especially valuable because of being able to communicate with the animals. She has written an absorbing account of the two weeks she spent at the command post of the Humane Society of the United States.

I have always been skeptical of all kinds of psychics, but I'm totally convinced of Terri's abilities. There is much sadness in this account but also great joy, and I loved every bit of it. I recommend it to everyone who cares about animals. Your heart will go out to all of them, from the tiny puppies to the 500-pound pig to the white horse waiting for her daddy.

I received this wonderful book for free from Goodreads First Reads.

[Michael Delaware]

I was fortunate to have won a signed copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I have to admit, when I first picked this book up, I read only the introduction and put it down. I suppose at the time I could not embrace the idea of an Animal Communicator. This week, I decided to finally read it. I am so glad I did.
This book turned out to be the most moving account of actual events I have ever read. Hurricane Katrina got a lot of news coverage for the displacement of people and destruction of property in the media, which is common with hurricanes. However, little is ever covered about the animals.
Terri Steuben's story about her two weeks working with the rescue efforts that followed the disaster in New Orleans will not only open your eyes to the devastation, but it will bring you to tears on what many of the animals suffered.
I found myself time and time again shocked, awed and emotionally moved by the authors first hand experiences in speaking to the animals, bringing understanding to them, and helping them to safety.
This is perhaps the most beautiful memoir about a major national event that I have ever read. It shines a light on the importance of making people aware that animals have feelings, thoughts and emotional reactions to events, just like we do. They are loyal, passionate, infinitely patient and respond to love and compassion better than many people.
I would highly recommend anyone who loves animals, has a pet or in thinking about a taking the care of a pet to read this book. Mankind can learn a lot from the stories in this book.

[Karly]

As someone who is a pet parent and an animal lover, I really enjoyed this book. Terri's work during the aftermath of Katrina was inspiring, and it was great to read about the number of animals that were able to safely make it back to their families. At the beginning of the book, I was a bit skeptical of her abilities, but by the end I was able to see that she has a gift and that it was very useful when she was helping these animals during a very stressful time.

[Nancy Shepherd]

One of the best books I have read this year. I learned so much about the work involved in animal rescue after a natural disaster. The dedicated rescuers deserve a huge "Thank you" from all of us animal lovers!
The compassion Terri Steuben brings to this story is incredible! She has a special gift so needed in her line of work. and she does not hesitate to share it.