What Happened to Harvey Duke?

Written by: Rebecca Callahan, volunteer

On August 29, 2017, the Fantastic Four Shelter Team began its mission to open a shelter in Dequincy, LA near Lake Charles. Mayor Lawrence Henagan and local business owner Chad Kellogg allowed the American Red Cross to use a recreation center donated by the city. My co-lead Irene Gray and I began to plan the layout and assess the needs of the shelter, while Shelter Associates Robert Brown and Allen Harper brought Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) and helped prepare to assist people affected by Hurricane Harvey.

After cots and blankets were ready to go, we began the hurry up and wait process that responders experience during incidents at one point or another. About an hour later, we were a surprised by a two month old labrador retriever named Duke Salazar who ‘checked-in’ to our shelter and proceeded to make himself the center of attention.  Duke loved the affection, so after the owner formally introduced Duke, he was left with us and proceeded to follow me around. As the team began to hunker down for the night and Irene and Allen went in for the first sleeping shift, Robert and I decided to keep watch in case some late night folks came into the shelter. At around midnight, Robert suggested we take a nap. No sooner had I dozed off than there was a wet nose on my sleeping bag wanting more attention. So for the rest of the night we hung out and slept in the back of the ERV.

Soon we learned that Duke had a case of worms. I will spare you the circumstances, but we decided to nickname him (what else!) “Harvey.” No other local residents required shelter that night, so the only registered client for the shelter was Harvey-Duke Salazar at the address next door.

As the waters began rising in Lake Charles, the Operations Management team deemed that the shelter was no longer viable due to the likely flooding of the recreation center. As a result, we began breaking down all the cots and packing the ERV to restore the shelter to the condition we received it in. Hopefully the Mayor and community will loan it to us again if a future disaster occurs. All the while, we were followed by Harvey and his cute looks while we packed up. When we completed the breakdown and everything was ready to go, I prepared to take Harvey-Duke back over to the Salazar family when my teammates Robert and Allen handed me a container of canine deworming medicine. I haven’t the foggiest idea how they managed to locate it, but it was a great way to help Harvey-Duke get better over the upcoming days. I was uncertain about how the family would handle the puppy considering all of the damage around them, but they were extremely grateful for the medicine. Afterwards the team drove our ERV to open a larger shelter at Burton Coliseum, in Lake Charles, LA.

No matter what our role within the organization, Red Cross employees work toward a common goal: supporting our mission. We strive to follow key values—known as the “Five Cs”—that guide our actions, every day.

1. Compassionate: We are dedicated to improving the lives of those we serve and to treating each other with care and respect.
2. Credible: We act with integrity, are transparent guardians of the public trust and honor our promises. 
3. Committed: We hold ourselves accountable for defining and meeting clear objectives, delivering on our mission and carefully stewarding our donor funds.
4. Collaborative: We work together as One Red Cross family, in partnership with other organizations, and always embrace diversity and inclusiveness.
5. Creative: We seek new ideas, are open to change and always look for better ways to serve those in need.

I must admit that it is sometimes difficult to incorporate all the values. For example, I was trying to balance my compassionate and creative sides while wanting to rescue Harvey-Duke and simultaneously committing to the Salazar family and maintaining my professional credibility. Fortunately for me, I had a collaborative and committed team to help ensure that all of the Five Cs stay in balance.

Shortly after my return from the Red Cross disaster response and back to my everyday job, I received a call from someone in Dequincy, LA. I answered the phone thinking it was the Mayor with some follow-up information, but instead it was Mrs. Salazar! She had not been home during our time at the shelter and wanted to thank the Red Cross and our team for taking the time to get the medication for Harvey-Duke. She said, “Dear God! Where on earth did you get the medicine? I just asked my kids, ‘Please tell me you thanked them!’ Harvey-Duke is playful and is feeling much better. He is playing in the backyard with my son Joe and with my four grand-babies and he is feeling much better. He makes them so happy and we can’t thank you enough!”

For all those who are responding to Harvey, Irma and any other incident that the Red Cross is simultaneously helping with around the world, always remember that the impact you have is of value. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to learn the outcome for Harvey-Duke and the Salazar family. It is a rare gift to learn that after the flooding, that the kids, grand-kids and dog are okay. Now, if I can only convince my own dog Gizmo not to be so jealous about me snuggling with another dog.