Katrina survivor and Miss Kitty's owner dies

[Debau2005]

"Bill Harris, whose story captivated MSNBC.com readers, succumbs in La."

This breaks my heart, I had followed his search for Miss Kitty and cried when they were reunited.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10179439/

RIP Mr Harris.

[Bitter Betty]

1. That is really sad

I too followed that story & cried when they were reunited.

[AZBlue]

2. OH NO! I'm so sad!!

I watched that story (with tears too) and was so excited when they found each other. I'm so sorry to hear that. Now I'm crying again.

[prole_for_peace]

3. so sweet and sad at the same time

at least they found each other before he passed.

[CatWoman]

4. Niagra Falls here

:cry:

[la la]

6. From the movie-

Flower Drum Song--

'cry for happy' !

[myrna minx]

5. Awww...

:cry:

[whatever4]

7. How many are going to die?

That's a shame. I notice he died of a gastrointestinal problem? Easily related to the post-hurricane conditions of the area, maybe?

And that makes me want to ask, I wonder what the number of people dying, dying earlier than they would have otherwise, might be? Is it going to be very many, and will it even be counted? He was only 63. I don't know if that was a healthy 63 or not, but he was younger than my dad. Sixty three is older, but it's not at deaths door for most people.

Not in America, or it wasn't in the modern-day America I grew up in, anyway. Would this be regression? To third world? Not to be too ridiculous, but I want to point out how easy it would/will be to hide what this hurricane mismanagement has done to the people, if their gradual, early deaths from any number of illnesses, are never counted. What if we never know the true death toll resulting from afflictions related to the environment and living conditions? What if all deaths, that should be counted as a group, never are related and counted?

It matters because of the hitory of these events. We all know the death totals and the handling of the many victims (NOLA, left on the streets, in their homes, sometimes for months, sometimes for relatives to find, identification riduculous sometimes, etc) has been suspect at best. Still over six thousand people missing. This story makes me think the health of the victims ought to be tracked, because I'm willing to bet we aren't hearing about any issues that might be involved. But I do know we heard repeatedly that it's a toxic wasteland.

[AZBlue]

10. He should be counted as a Katrina victim, but he won't be.

From the msnbc article: "he had been hospitalized for a chronic kidney condition that worsened as a result of his ordeal during the storm."

[DeltaLady]

11. The levels of continuing stress and despair are causing those

with medical conditions to succomb more readily to their diseases. A sense of abandonment and hopelessness has set in; many have no place to call home and no support system in place. Some haven't even been able to access their medical records or doctors due to badly flooded medical facilities.

[pitohui]

16. they don't count those

my friend who died in the evacuation don't count either

stress is not considered a cause of death, just a contributing factor

it sounds like mr. harris was quite ill and the stress of the storm shortened his days, it is quite tragic but i'm sure it is a story repeated thousands of times

new orleans area has many people being treated for cancer, such as an oschner hospital, many people experienced an interruption in their chemotherapy and apparently some are not back on track yet, you know not all those people will make it

and of course as in this example you have thousands more with other illness, such as mr. harris w. his kidney issues

it is very sad, before this disaster, i never really considered how a storm could disrupt a proper course of medical treatment for chronic disease

[chat_noir]

8. tears are flowing here, too

The video of their reunion moved me so deeply. God bless you Mr. Bill, Miss Kitty, and the people that helped them.

I have studiously avoided all New Orleans pet-related threads here on DU because I can't bear to learn about animals' sufferings.

I don't watch tv, but happened to be at my mother's house when Oprah showed the 24 year old man who refused to evacuate because he could not leave his dog, which he had owned since he was 10. It broke my heart.

[FreedomAngel82]

9. How sad

:cry:

[KamaAina]

12. I'm thinking about a gray tabby I once knew and loved down there

in Rhiannon's case, she was murdered (really) while I survived, but still... meow. :( Had she survived the attack with three legs (the fourth was wrenched off :grr: ) she would have been mine, as it would have been impossible for her to go outside, and her human did not want an indoor cat. I'd like to think the two of us would have become as close as Bill and Miss Kitty (and I lived on the second floor so we both would have made it :-) )

[AZBlue]

13. KamaAina - I'm so sorry.

I can not ever understand anyone who would harm an innocent animal. You know there was a thread started the other day that asked if torture was ever ok - I just realized I should have responded that yes, if someone harms an animal like that, all bets are off!

[Gelliebeans]

14. This was so sad

I have followed this story too and I had hoped that Mr. Harris would be reunited after he got out with his beloved Miss Kitty. :cry:

[pitohui]

15. poor soul

at least he passed knowing his pet was saved

[Caoimhe]

17. God bless an old man who can love a cat

and a cat that can love an old man. What a great story. I hope Miss Kitty gets a new home that will never flood!

I forwarded this story to many pet lovers I know. I am glad that Mr. Harris is no longer in pain, but I bet his beloved kitty misses him!

[BJW]

18. Thank you for posting this

I too was moved by their dedication and devotion to each other. Sad, terribly sad and tragic.

Thank you Mr. Bill and Ms. Kitty, for inspiring so many people and reminding the world that it's a good thing, a wonderful thing, to love and care for, and to be loved and be cared for, by our non-human friends.

[newyawker99]

19. Rest in Peace, Mr Harris.

:cry:

[nicknameless]

20. Oh no! That is so sad. After all they have both been through...

:cry:

[Raine]

21. Aw so sad

:cry: but at least he was at peace when he died because he had his beloved Miss Kitty. I hope someone will give her a good loving home.