Man's best friend finds new home after surviving Katrina
By Karen Mann Journal Correspondent

Rob Rogowski, of Westminster, and Elvis have developed a bond since the black Labrador retriever since the pair meet in New Orleans, La., after Hurricane Katrina. Journal Photo/Karen Mann

Since finding a new home in Westminster, Elvis has almost tripled in weight.

The black Labrador retriever was adopted by call-firefighter Rob Rogowski after he rescued the dog during the aftermath Hurricane Katrina last fall.

Rogowski, a soldier in the National Guard, was sent to New Orleans five days after the levees broke.

As a member of an infantry division, his unit was sent to Louisiana to keep peace among distraught residents.

Rogowski said while they were saving people from their homes, they also came across a lot of dogs. When the city was evacuated, people were told not to bring their animals with them, nor bring them to shelters.

"I couldn't imagine having to leave my pet behind," he said.

There was no housing in the city for the troops, so they were forced to find their own shelter, said Rogowski. His unit set up in an elementary school because the school was enclosed by a fence, they started to bring the stray dogs there. Elvis was one such dog.

Rogowski found him the first or second week he was in New Orleans, floating on a piece on cardboard.

"When I went down there, I wasn't thinking about pets, I was thinking about the people," said Rogowski.

There were already over 2,000 stray dogs in the city before the hurricane hit, according to Rogowski. The school became the drop-off center for other units to bring dogs as well.

Rogowski said it was good for the soldiers because it gave them something else to do.

"It worked out for the best," said Rogowski. "When you weren't out on patrol, you worked with the dogs and played with them."

They assigned a doggie detail - each day a different group of guys would wash the dogs, decontaminate them from the polluted waters and just play with them. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals got involved, providing the National Guard with food to give the dogs, he said.

They also told the soldiers that they could take home stray dogs. The ASPCA even offered to fly the dogs to Massachusetts.

Since Elvis only weighed 40 pounds, he was sent to a home that was a foster care center for dogs. The owner of the foster care facility assured Rogowski she would call him when Elvis was healthy enough to travel.

About two months later, Elvis was transported in a truck to Massachusetts and became a member of Rogowski's family.

Although he is missing his front teeth and has a bad back leg, Elvis is happy now, Rogowski said.

Elvis loves to play catch and loves people. Rogowksi referred to Elvis as his shadow, and said he takes him almost everywhere he goes.

"He likes to ride around, so I bring him a lot of places," said Rogowski. "The guys at the (fire) station like to see him too."

The veterinarian estimated that Elvis is between five and six years old. Rogowski said he does not know if Elvis was a stray dog, but if an owner ever contacts him, he will give Elvis back.

One hard adjustment for Elvis was the weather. Elvis prefers hot summer days.

"He had never seen snow before, and he didn't like it," said Rogowski.

He also does not like rain or thunderstorms. Rogowski said he will shake and hide under the bed. He will not go outside in the rain or in the dark.

Besides these few things, Rogowski said Elvis settled in easily to his new family.

"He is pretty happy now," said Rogowski.