Featured in Guinea Pig Magazine: The Weaver Tornado Survivors

Many guinea pig and rat fans (as well as animal lovers in general) have stopped by this web site to read up on the Weaver family, who lost their home and many of their pets during the April 27, 2011 Alabama tornado. Moved by the Weavers’ story and their heroic efforts to save as many of their pets as possible, Guinea Pig Magazine has included a four-page feature story in their July/August 2011 issue. In addition to excerpting my blog, Guinea Pig Magazine has also included an entire section on disaster preparedness for guinea pigs: transportation, food, housing, health care, and emergency contact information.

While the Weavers could not have done more to protect themselves in the circumstances they faced, it’s never too early for the rest of us to consider ways we can better prepare for emergencies.

Thank you, Emporia Gazette, for sharing the story of a community coming together to support the Weavers!

Today’s Emporia Gazette includes a great follow-up to the story of the Weavers, whose lives changed when a tornado struck their Alabama home on April 27. Read the story here.

New beginnings for little miracles: the littlest tornado survivors acclimate to new surroundings

After tornadoes tore through parts of the South on April 27, people all over the world tuned in to the story of the Weavers, a family of people and pets who found themselves in the middle of one of the most devastated neighborhoods in Alabama.

As mentioned in the first post about the Weavers, Marsha Weaver is a woman with many real and virtual friends and admirers. She and her husband and children opened their home to many pets from animal shelters and rescues, and fostered other critters until forever homes could be found for them. A gifted seamstress, she ran The Cozy Cavy, which sold handcrafted beds and hidy places for the littlest furry pets.

On April 27, the Weavers lost almost everything: their home, their cars, their sense of safety. But worst of all, they lost many of their pets. As word spread on facebook and through online pet communities like GuineaLynx, people who had never met or even heard of the Weavers worried about them and the well-being of the littlest family members still unaccounted for: ten guinea pigs, ten rats, and several foster rats awaiting permanent homes. Desperately wanting to help, other rat and guinea pig pet owners began to raise monetary support through web sites like Sponsor a Guinea Pig. Plans were made for accumulating people and pet supplies when the Weavers were ready to receive them.

If only some of the Weaver Pigs and Rats could be found alive.

Then a miracle occurred.

Doug Weaver found Emma the guinea pig hiding under a piece of fleece shortly after the storm. Guinea pigs Jasmine, Holly, and Allie-Belle were found the next day. Rats Wesley, Samantha, Lulu, and Makayla were discovered, too. More than 48 hours after the storm, Olivia, sporting a small injury near her right eye, was also found.

As the family recovered from their injuries and sought a new home, the Weavers’ amazing veterinarian housed their pets, along with many other animals injured or displaced by the storm.

Olivia the rat shows off the injury above her right eye while hanging out with her friends at the vet's office. Photo by Marsha Weaver.

Members of GuineaLynx and other friends of the  Weavers in the area began to collect basic pet supplies for the veterinary office.  Shelby, the Weaver’s dog, was recovering from injuries sustained to her face and foot during the tornado and had several follow-up visits to the vet.

At last, the Weavers found an apartment that could accommodate four humans, a dog, four guinea pigs and five rats. The Weavers’ online friends, as well as Marsha’s sister, Marie Forgie, had coordinated the gathering of cage building materials, hay, pellets, and a special dog bed for Shelby. Becky Hines, a gifted seamstress who runs Sewing 4 A Cause, donated several handcrafted beds and tunnels. Gorgeous Guineas donated a gift basket of grooming products. And Lisa Sharp, a GuineaLynx community member, piled the donated supplies into her car and road-tripped to the Weaver apartment to help the Weavers build a proper cage for the little critters.

As the guinea pigs waited in their temporary digs–a cardboard box made as cozy as possible–Lisa and the Weavers got to work.

The Weaver Pigs wait in their cardboard box while their new cage is under construction. Jasmine (black guinea pig) rests in the pink cuddle cup; Allie-Belle hides in the elephant-print tunnel; and Holly paces along the wall. Not visible: Emma. Photo by Lisa Sharp.

The Weaver pets are used to living well, and they were going to have a nice place when Lisa and the Weavers were finished. After a few hours of elbow grease, the Weaver Pigs finally got to explore their new digs.

The Weaver pigs explore their new cage, while Shelby checks out her new mat. Note the scar under Shelby's eye, from an injury incurred during the April 27 tornado. Photo by Lisa Sharp.

Emma heads for the new "kitchen area" as the guinea pigs explore their new surroundings. Photo by Lisa Sharp.

It's not quite the same, but it's better than the cardboard box! Clockwise, from bottom left: Holly, Jasmine (under the canopy), Allie-Belle, and Emma. Photo by Lisa Sharp.

We can’t change the fact that a tornado reduced a huge swatch of Alabama to rubble. We can’t make up for the losses and the tragedies. But we can help the survivors survive. Seventeen days after the storm, the remaining members of the Weaver family are safe and together under one roof.

Many other tornado victims –humans and pets–are still in need of assistance. If you have not done so, consider giving to a reputable charity. Animal shelters and veterinary offices – many of which gave free emergency treatment to animals injured during the April 27 tornado, can also use your support. If you are in the area, consider fostering a displaced pet. More opportunities to help others in need will likely arise as the flooding Mississippi River displaces families and pets. And if you haven’t already done so, it’s never too early to consider emergency plans for your own pets. FEMA offers a checklist if you need help getting started.

A miracle can weigh less than 3 pounds: the littlest Alabama tornado survivors

This is a story of miracles and heartbreak, joy and sadness. This is the story of the Weavers and the Weaver critters, who rode out one of the fierce Alabama tornadoes that touched down on April 27.

The Weavers lived in a pretty house in Alabama, a single-story home with enough room for a family of four, a dog, ten guinea pigs, ten rats, and a variety of critters who were lucky enough to be fostered by the Weavers while waiting for the right forever home.

The Weaver's Alabama home, this past winter. Photo by Marsha Weaver.

Marsha Weaver, a skilled craftswoman who dedicated her abilities to creating beautiful beds and hidey places for little critters, shared her sewing room with her guinea pigs and rats. Marsha sewed products for her shop, The Cozy Cavy, while the Weaver Pigs and the Weaver Ratties kept her company.

The Sewing Room and Little Critter Hub at the Weaver House. Look carefully - you can see guinea pigs in the cages, some pulling hay out of their haylofts. Marsha's sewing machines are in the background. Photo by Marsha Weaver.

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There was almost no warning. The April 27 storm moved in to the Weaver neighborhood almost before it was reported. As the skies grew frighteningly dark and the rain pounded the roof, Marsha ushered her children and Shelby, the family dog, into the hallway. Her husband, Doug, skirted through the front door moments later. Before she could decide what to do about the littlest family members, the house began to shake. The house fell in, then pieces flew in the air. The Weavers felt the pull of the storm. Shelby, hovering off the floor, was anchored to her humans by her collar. It lasted for only moments; it lasted forever.

During a brief lull in the storm, they rose out of the wreckage and fled. Injured. Barefoot. Scared.

—

As reported in Friday’s post, Marsha, her daughter, and Shelby the dog suffered the greatest injuries. Marsha and her daughter were admitted to a nearby hospital. Shelby, whose face was severely injured by flying debris, endured four layers of stitches, administered by a vet working by flashlight.

Despite having their own injuries to tend to, the Weavers were heartsick over their littlest critters. Maybe, just maybe, some of them might have survived. Doug, the healthiest of the bunch, made his first search of the debris field that was once their home.

He found Emma, alive, hiding under a piece of Marsha’s fleece fabric.

Emma, the first guinea pig to be found alive after the tornado. Photo by Marsha Weaver.

Finding Emma alive brought the entire Weaver family hope. The members of the GuineaLynx community cheered. Thank God, we all said collectively. If there is one, there might be more. This sweet little sow who bossed the other girls around had beaten the odds.

When daylight broke, Doug got his first good look at the rubble that was once their home.

The remains of the Weavers' Alabama home, after the tornado. Photo by Steve Weaver.

—

Pieces of their home and pieces of their lives were scattered all over the neighborhood. Marsha’s extensive collection of fabric hung from tree branches like the tattered flags.  He had found one pet alive. There might be more. He began to search.

By now, thousands of people, many of whom had never heard of the Weavers before, were following their story. Fingers crossed, prayers said, tears shed, well-wishers worried over the Weavers and their pets. The situation was made all the more agonizing as communication was delayed by spotty phone service and dying cell phone batteries.

The search continued as the Weavers and fellow rescuers sifting through the detritus.

More miracles.

Three more guinea pigs and three rats were found alive and relatively healthy, though scared and hungry. These little critters had taken shelter wherever they could find it, even in the branches and under the roots of fallen trees.

Holly, one of the newest Weaver Pigs, was so pleased to be found that she wheeked and wheeked hard enough to make her ears flap. Also found were the adorable but naughty little Allie-Belle, and Jasmine, a sweet little girl who found her way to the Weaver home through the Atlanta Metro Guinea Pig Rescue.

Holly, a guinea pig, was found alive after the April 27 tornado. Photo by Marsha Weaver.

Allie-Belle, a guinea pig, was found alive after the April 27 tornado. Photo by Marsha Weaver.

Jasmine, a guinea pig found alive after the April 27 tornado. Photo by Marsha Weaver.

Three of Marsha’s ratties, LuLu, Samantha, and Makayla, were also found, hungry and scared, but otherwise in good condition.

LuLu, a Weaver rat, was found alive after the tornado. Photo by Marsha Weaver.

Samantha, one of the Weaver rats, was found alive after the tornado. Photo by Marsha Weaver.

Makayla, one of the Weaver rats, was discovered alive after the tornado. Photo by Marsha Weaver.

Seven of the Weaver Pigs and Rats were healthy and accounted for, but the day was not without heartbreak. Hopkins, a senior at six years old, was critically injured. He was rushed to a vet, who humanely helped the poor old guinea pig earn his wings. Natasha, the Weavers’ nine-year-old granny pig, had also succumbed to the storm, as had seven-year-old Sherman and fun little Rose. Three rats – Annie, Devon, and Victoria – perished. The remains of two other pets – one guinea pig, one rat – could not be identified. One guinea pig and four rats were still missing.

Then another miracle: Wesley, an elderly three-year-old rat, was found, but traumatized and injured. He was not expected to make it through the night, but surprised everyone as he continued to fight for his life.

Wesley, a three-year-old rat, survived the storm. He is in critical condition. Photo by Marsha Weaver.

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Marsha was released from the hospital and joined her husband in the careful search. Meanwhile, news of the Weavers’ tragedy rippled through the communities of guinea pig owners, Cozy Cavy customers, and numerous small animal rescue organizations. Contributions poured in through the Sponsor a Guinea Pig web site, reaching $8,000 Saturday morning. Jubilation over the miracles was tempered by grief for the losses. Yet, the Weavers’ vet was so hopeful, she joined the search for the remaining missing animals.

Saturday morning, another miracle was announced. Another rattie, Olivia, had been found, scared and thirsty, but healthy.

Olivia, another Weaver Rat, was discovered more than 48 hours after the tornado. Photo by Marsha Weaver.

As the Weavers sorted through the remnants of their home, the mailman came. He noted the missing mailbox, then the missing house, then hand-delivered the mail to the Weavers. Another miracle.

—

One guinea pig and two of the Weaver Rats were still unaccounted for. All five of the foster rats were also missing, with no signs of them or their cage.

Marsha’s daughter, whose shoulder was broken and lung was punctured, was released from the hospital. Another miracle.

Throughout the entire ordeal, the GuineaLynx community remained glued to their computers and phones and iPads. The very few text messages that could work their way through the spotty cellular coverage offered Marsha and her family everyone’s love and support. We were so happy she had so many little critters left to cuddle, and glad that she at least knew others were at peace. We cried for those lost, we cried for those still missing.

Deep down, we knew such tragedy could have happened to any of us. We cuddled our own critters extra tight.

—

Unfortunately, the Weavers’ story is not unique. Many, many people across the south, and especially in Alabama, were devastated by the tornadoes on April 27. Many pets are out there, injured and scared, looking for owners; many owners are out there, injured and scared, looking for pets. Many rescues and organizations are posting information about lost and found pets and ways to give or receive assistance through a special facebook page.

And while there wasn’t enough time for the Weavers to fully engage in an emergency plan, their story made the rest of us pet owners realize how important it is to have one. FEMA offers some basic ideas for how to develop one.

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For the Weavers, the story is just beginning. And as I posted on Friday, despite the horrible loss, there is hope. There are amazing people in the world who will reach out and help others in need. And there are little miracles.

Special thanks to Marsha’s sister, Marie, who joined the GuineaLynx community to keep Marsha’s GL friends updated on the search and recovery process. This post would not have been possible without her.

Please note: information in this blog may be adjusted for accuracy as information becomes available.

The story of a tornado, a family, a dog, rats, a herd of guinea pigs and an online community

“Did you see the facebook post about Marsha Weaver?” my husband called out of his office (junk room).

I opened my own laptop and scrolled through my facebook friends’ updates. Our friend Marsha Weaver’s house in Alabama had just been plowed under by a tornado.

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When my husband and I adopted our first two guinea pigs in 2004, we joined GuineaLynx, an amazing online community of guinea pig owners and guinea pig rescuers. We discovered right away that this community wasn’t just about guinea pigs. It was a social hub. In addition to it being one of the few places where GP owners could seek advice on care for their animals, or post silly pictures of their pets, it was somewhere members could turn to for advice on pretty much anything. During the past six years, I’ve watched members comfort each other through deaths and divorce, cheer when members married, had children, or found new jobs. Even though most of us never met the other 12,000 members scattered across the globe, we knew each other, cared for each other, and cared for each other’s pets.

Even in that group of 12,000, there are those members who stand out, and Marsha Weaver is one of those members.

Marsha, like many other members of GL, is a strong believer in finding homes for abandoned or surrendered animals, and her herd of nine guinea pigs all found their way into her life through animal rescues and shelters. It has been said more than once that a shelter pig who finds his way into Marsha’s home hit the jackpot, because Weaver pigs live well. Big cages, fresh vegetables, fresh hay, lots of love. Marsha’s special gift is sewing, and she sewed beds and canopies and other beautiful things for her critters. She even set up an online store, The Cozy Cavy, where those of us with lesser needle-and-thread skills could purchase her products. Not to forget GPs in need, she donated supplies to animal shelters and rescue groups, too.

Marsha is also an amazing animal photographer, and took hundreds – thousands – of pictures of her pets, capturing their individual personalities. Many of her critters can be seen on her web page, modeling her wares.

So when news of the tornado spread across GuineaLynx and facebook, us GLers took it personally. She was one of ours, her pets were ours, and she was hurting. So were we.

The Weavers lived in a lovely house in Alabama. The house, built on a slab, included an entire beautiful room dedicated to the guinea pigs, rats, and Marsha’s sewing. The whole family, including Marsha’s husband, daughter, son, and the family dog, were all home Wednesday evening when the storm moved in.  With very little warning, the humans and the dog tried to make a dash for safety, hoping for the best.

When the tornado passed, the house was destroyed. Marsha’s heart was bruised, her daughter’s shoulder was broken and her lung was pierced. The dog’s face was badly injured, and their dog was expect to lose an eye. The vehicles were gone. But most painful of all, especially for her fellow guinea pigs friends, was knowing that the guinea pigs and rats couldn’t be saved. The Weaver pigs and rats were buried in the debris.

—

The story could have ended there, with all of us GLers shaking our heads, tears in our eyes.

Instead, we issued a battle cry. We would help. We would do something.

One of our members, GuineaPinny, ran Sponsor A Guinea Pig, a web site that raised funds for guinea pigs in need . After some brief discussion, we decided if there was ever a case for guinea pigs in need, this was it. Some of us had lived through fires, tornadoes, earthquakes. We knew how important it was to have cash on hand, even if you had decent homeowners insurance. We set the initial goal of $1,000.

And we watched a miracle unfold.

The goal was met within hours. As time passed and GLers around the world woke up and logged in, they saw the need and didn’t hesitate to help. As word spread, people who had never even heard of Marsha Weaver stepped forward. In just 24 hours, the gifts added up to more than $6,000, though I hesitate to even mention that amount, because the number continues to climb.

But it wasn’t enough for the members of GL. The community is planning a drive for clothing and supplies, when Marsha’s family is in a position to receive them. And other GLers in the area are hoping to gain access to her home, to try to find any pets that might have survived. Others are collecting photos she’s posted online to build her an album.

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The story could have ended there, too. But luckily, it didn’t. Marsha’s sister joined the GL community after the tornado. It says something about what amazing people are in Marsha’s life, that her sister would take the time to update the GL community about her sister’s family.

Late last night, she posted some good news.

Marsha’s daughter was doing well enough to be taken off oxygen.

And Marsha’s husband happened to spot one of their guinea pigs in the debris. Emma was alive!

Emma the Guinea Pig. Photo by Marsha Weaver.

Despite the horrible loss, there is hope. There are amazing people in the world who will reach out and help others in need. And there are little miracles. We all desperately hope some of the other critters survived. Because guinea pigs, like people, like online communities, are social. They need their herd to be at their best.