71 year old woman calls FOX for help…
Powerful television on FOX a short time ago. Floritta Greve, a 71 year old woman living in New Orleans just called in to FOX News and spoke with Bob Sellers. The woman didn’t try to evacuate because she couldn’t carry her dog through the water. Sellers had the woman give out her address over the TV.
UPDATE: FOX brought Greve back on the air about half an hour later. It sounds like there was some confusion over the spelling and pronounciation of the address she lives at…
Transcript of first interview follows…
SELLERS: As the cleanup continues in New Orleans, we’re joined now on the phone now by Floritta Grieve who is one of the folks trapped in their homes in the New Orleans area. Floritta, are you with us?
GREVE: Yes, I am.
SELLERS: Tell me where you are.
GREVE: I’m at 4613 Dryades.
SELLERS: 4613 Dryades?
GREVE: Right. Between Napoleon and Valance.
SELLERS: Between Napoleon and Valiant?
GREVE: Valance.
SELLERS: Valance. So that’s in New Orleans, correct?
GREVE: Yes.
SELLERS: So tell me what’s been happening. The hurricane hit almost a week ago. Tell me what’s been happening.
GREVE: Well, I woke up the next morning and they had about nine inches of water out there. I have a dog that’s about fifteen years old. I just didn’t feel like go off and let him starve.
SELLERS: Right.
GREVE: So, and I had no way of getting out, and I know him. I’d have to carry him and some belongings, you know, supplies that I would need. So, and I have food and some water, so I’m not what you call desperate, but in about another week or so I will be.
SELLERS: Right. So you got through the hurricane okay and then the levee broke and then things changed, or has it been the same since you got through the hurricane?
GREVE: Uh, it’s been, let’s say the hurricane happened one day. I woke up the next day and there was water surrounding me.
SELLERS: So where are you now in the house?
GREVE: I’m in the kitchen, on a wall phone.
SELLERS: So you’re okay? And how much water do you have in there?
GREVE: I don’t have any in the house.
SELLERS: It’s out around the house?
GREVE: It’s out around the house but it’s not in the house. It’s only about maybe five or six inches of water.
SELLERS: Do you feel like anybody’s on their way to get you?
GREVE: No, no one’s coming to get me.
SELLERS: Okay. Have you seen helicopters?
GREVE: Oh, helicopter’s is been flying over like crazy
SELLERS: Okay. Have you been able to signal them or anything?
GREVE: No.
SELLERS: Are you in touch with anybody?
GREVE: Yeah, I’ve got some, a friend in Jackson, Mississippi, and I’ve got another friend, a Mike. I really don’t know his first name, but he’s the one that’s started me off on this. I’ve spoken to several people. Right now I’m so nervous that I’m not thinking straight. I just cant remember. I’ve spoke to Maury.
SELLERS: Okay. So have these folks that you’ve talked to, they’re trying to contact the authorities and let them know where you are, right?
GREVE: Right
SELLERS: And then once again, you’re at 4613 Drive? Is that right?
GREVE: Right. D-R-Y-A-D-E-S.
SELLERS: Now, can you get outside? Is there a porch you can wait..?
GREVE: Yes, I can go on the porch.
SELLERS: When the helicopters are going by, can you get out and wave a towel or something?
GREVE: Yeah, I guess so.
SELLERS: Well, they might know that you’re there if you’re able to do that. I’m not saying that that’s the definite thing to do, but if you feel up to it. Cause it sounds like physically you’re doing alright.
GREVE: Yeah. Like I say, I’ve got food. I’m eating out of a can. But I’ve got food and I’ve got water, and I’ve got dog food and water for the dog.
SELLERS: How’s your dog doing?
GREVE: Well, you know he’s old, you know, but he’s surviving.
SELLERS: What’s his name? What’s your dog’s name?
GREVE: Dusty.
SELLERS: So if Dusty hadn’t been around, would you have evacuated?
GREVE: I’m not sure. I didn’t really thing it would get this bad. I was one of those people who thought when the hurricane hit, yeah, it was bad and all, but at first I didn’t have any flooding or anything, you know.
SELLERS: Yeah.
GREVE: And it wasn’t until I went to bed, and I woke up the next morning, and I looked outside and I was shocked.
SELLERS: Right. Have you been through hurricanes before?
GREVE: Oh yeah. I’ve lived here all my life, and I’m 71 years old.
SELLERS: And it wasn’t like this before.
GREVE: Never. We never had flooding. We were out of maybe water or electricity for a few days, but that was it.
SELLERS: Now, you’re aware that he levee has broken, correct?
GREVE: Yes, yes.
SELLERS: And you’re aware that this water is not going anywhere for a long time.
GREVE: Yes, I heard approximately 36 days before they’d get it cleared away.
SELLERS: Yeah. Because in the past, I think a lot of folks like yourself see some water and say, well you know what? Another two or three days and this water will be gone.
GREVE: No, I know it’s not going. I heard that on the radio. I have a little transistor radio.
SELLERS: So, if you could get emergency folks to come by and get you, then you would be willing to go with them, correct?
GREVE: Right.
sounds like an assignment for heraldo.
Comment by anonymous — September 4, 2005 @ 4:38 pm
Anon hit this one on the head. Geraldo just arrived in a boat and picked up the woman and her dog “Dusty”!
Comment by johnny dollar — September 4, 2005 @ 5:36 pm
Not that this is of any dire importance but I am wondering how it is that this woman actually had phone service??? I thought the service was wiped out. Kudos to Fox and Geraldo for being on the ball and getting her out of there asap!
Comment by Ruthie J. — September 5, 2005 @ 1:22 pm
Did you see Dusty being dragged at the end of the Fox News piece? Wonder how they are doing?
Comment by cg — September 5, 2005 @ 2:26 pm
Did Dusty make it out OK? In the last film footage, it looked like he was in bad shape just before being loaded into the chopper. Donna - visitoralpha@aol.com
Comment by Donna F — September 5, 2005 @ 2:32 pm
Great story! Check out my site sometimes. We bloggers need to stick together. Like the dog? Combo of owner and dog on Photoshop
Comment by Kemi lane — September 5, 2005 @ 2:45 pm
Charles,
I would like to help Florita who are you and what are you doing to help?
Comment by Jennifer — September 5, 2005 @ 7:35 pm
Trying to touch base with Michelle M from Slidell who is staying in Orlando. I live in Orlando and would love to help her out as best I can. I think a local preschool would take her daughter in. she has an ongoing blog on foxnews.com Please have her e-mail me thanks
Comment by Jennifer — September 5, 2005 @ 7:47 pm
e-mail is shaynajade @ Bellsouth . net
Comment by Jennifer — September 5, 2005 @ 7:47 pm
It was terrible when they were dragging Dusty. I was jumping up and down and screaming, the dog! the dog! you are killing the dog! I can’t stop thinking about poor Dusty. I wish I could find out how he and Floritta are.
Comment by Carol — September 5, 2005 @ 8:30 pm
I am so glad to see somebody talking about this. I lost sleep last night wondering if that poor dog is okay and in searching, this is the only place that has anything about the dog. Does anyone know if Dusty made it?
I was yelling at the tv too, in disbelief that here this woman who stayed because of her beloved dog, and when Geraldo was telling her story, the dog was a big deal, then the military guy was so busy talking to Floritta and carrying her bags, that he had no clue that the poor little thing couldn’t keep up.
I’m thinking that the tarmac must have been hot and the distance too much and the dog started wobbling and then flopped onto his back. Why wasn’t someone carrying that him? I’m sure he doesn’t weigh much, so another 5 pounds in the man’s arms…well it was just shocking. I hope Geraldo was screaming someone’s ear off over that.
Can anyone find this info out? How sad that would be to that woman after all of that. And yes, I know there are worse things happening out there to many others.
Comment by Susan — September 5, 2005 @ 9:52 pm
Sorry for those typos folks…been sick all week.
Comment by Susan — September 5, 2005 @ 9:53 pm
I was outraged by Dusty being dragged. I called Fox News to complain minutes after seeing it. It was horrible.
Comment by jen — September 6, 2005 @ 9:36 am
I agree about Dusty being dragged and flipping over and being dragged some more. That man HAD to know that he was dragging the dog. Poor Floritta Greve; she will eventually see the footage. HOW IS SHE???
Comment by MARY MATHIS — September 6, 2005 @ 11:57 am
I too have lost sleep and felt the sorrow for the lady and Dusty to live through all they did, only to see the poor dog be dragged like that. I want the idiot who was in charge of helping the lady and dog to pay for his careless actions! Granted, its not a human, but it is a life, and when you take the oath that man did when he joined the service he is in…you have to pay attention to what you are doing! I sure hope they dont let that jerk fly a helicopter!! He must be held accountable for his carelessness! Please find out how they are doing and post here.
Comment by Ed B — September 6, 2005 @ 1:25 pm
Let’s try to stay positive!! Lets send our blessings and our prayers. I am sure no one meant any harm to the dog.. But it is priority to help the people first. 1,000’s are hungry and dieing and she is lucky they even let her take the dog with her. remember the space the dog takes up is space a human can not take… SO let’s say great job for what they are doing and have done and hope floritta and Dusty are both ok.. But lets try not to bad mouth anyone who is doing the best they can with what they have!
Fred
Comment by fred — September 6, 2005 @ 2:01 pm
I saw the video with Floritta and her sweet dog Dusty walking on the tarmack and was so upset watching that poor dog struggle to keep up. How could that guy not know he was dragging Dusty. When he rolled onto his back with his feet up I was screaming at the tv “The Dog! Pick hi up!” Please email me and let me know that Dusty is ok. I thought about it all weekend and really want to know how he is.
Thanks,
Patti Talley
Phoenix, AZ
Comment by Patti Talley — September 6, 2005 @ 2:43 pm
Ok Fred, I see your point, even though most people would think to put the dog in someones lap…to save space…instead of allowing it to take up space…say…for a news reporter tagging along with a cameraman and a sound man. I know the guy didnt do it on purpose, but pay attention to what you are doing fella!! The dog warned her and pretty much saved her,and is all the lady has left. Ill be the first to nickname that guy “Clark Griswold”. And I assure you, it was no vacation for the dog.
Comment by Ed B — September 6, 2005 @ 3:04 pm
i also wanting to what happen to floritta i would like to give her a place in our home and she would have family then please respond if any one knows her wherebout of floritta greve
Comment by teresa — September 6, 2005 @ 5:29 pm
I thought I was the only one that noticed Dusty flipping around and being drug with his feet up like that. I woke up in the middle of the night and I couoln’t beleive what I was seein. That poor15 year old dog. I thought it was so funny. I’m sorry that it happened but as soon as I saw Dusty walking funny, I new he was going to fall. His feet were all tangled in the leash and it got worse untill he finally flipped over. Didn’t that man feel the leash bouncing around? I think that was the funniest thing I ever saw, I was laughing so hard I was crying! And reading all of your statements was very amusing. I wish they would show that video again because nobody believes me! I feel bad if he got hurt, but it was still funny. Poor Dusty is really Dusty now I bet.
Comment by Summer Mac — September 6, 2005 @ 5:29 pm
Summer Mac you are a heartless waste of life! I would like to see someone do that to you.
Comment by Ed B — September 6, 2005 @ 6:16 pm
I think it was terrible the way Dusty was treated shame on anyone that thought it was funny. I hope that he is ok and with Floritta as she has had the dog a long time. Being a animal lover I hated to see that.
Comment by jean ybarbo — September 6, 2005 @ 6:17 pm
Summer Mac you are obviously NOT a dog lover and if you have a dog I feel sorry for the poor thing. To laugh at the suffering of a living thing is despicable. I agree with the statement from Ed B.
Comment by pt — September 6, 2005 @ 6:45 pm
Just watched the”O Reily” Factor on FOX…Geraldo was on and said in response to ALL the mail and calls about Floritta nad Dusty the dog….they are both doing fine in a Shelter run by the 4 H in Georgia. Thank Heavens for THAT BIT OF GREAT NEWS!!!
Comment by BB — September 6, 2005 @ 8:33 pm
I just found out that Floritta is OK. Thank God. I hope that you didn’t have to leave Dusty behind. I would like to write to her. What is the address for the shelter in Georgia? I too have thought about opening my home to her and Dust.
Comment by Ruth — September 6, 2005 @ 8:57 pm
Geraldo - thank you for all your efforts during this tragedy. So glad to hear Floritta & Dusty are OK. And, Summer Mac: well how you can say that “poor 15 yr old dog” and then proceed to say what you did, that was just SICK!
Comment by Nancy — September 6, 2005 @ 10:47 pm
I guess it did sound bad the way I worded my last statement, sorry if I offended people. I didn’t want the dog to get hurt. I love animals, I have 34 of them here at my house and I would rather stay behind at my house than to leave them alone in a hurricane. And I take in sick animals around the naeiborhood. I don’t have to prove myself to anyone as an animal lover. I love animals more than some people I know. All I said was that it was funny about the dog flipping over that is all. I didn’t say it was funny about it getting hurt. Sorry man! Animals are my life and I was just being honest. Again sorry if I offended you guys.
Comment by Summer Mac — September 6, 2005 @ 10:49 pm
Ya’ll really hurt my feelings so I take back what I said okay? I have to be more carful about sharing my feelings from now on. Thank goodness Floritta and Dusty are okay. I’m sorry that I feel that it is funny when people or animals fall, I do feel guilty about thinking it was funny. But I fall all the time and I laugh at myself. I really didn’t want the dog to get hurt. Sorry for double posting.
Comment by Summer Mac — September 6, 2005 @ 11:05 pm
I just heard on the news that Dusty and Florita are okay. I wonder why Geraldo didn’t say anything about the dog falling over? And I feel bad for what happened to the dog but I don’t think that man did it on purpose. And to you all, lay off on Summer Mac, she appologised and seems to love animals. Don’t judge.
Comment by Johnny — September 6, 2005 @ 11:32 pm
I was watching “Countdown” Tuesday night, and the segment came up during a semi-regular outro to commercials where they select “today’s worst person in the world.” Rush took 3rd place for naming the hurricane “Katrina Van Hoevel” (supposedly named after a left-leaning columnist I never heard of). 2nd place went to Michael Jackson since he’s writing another benefit song for Louisiana. (Yeah, that’s what the world needs right now.)
The 1st place in the “Worst Person in the World” competition went to Geraldo for that rescue mentioned above. According to a reporter for the website Salon.com, a medical responder at the scene told the reporter after the medivac left that Geraldo shot a rescue scene twice; that he made the woman walk back to the Fox van and walk back again for the cameras.
Comment by Dave Pelletier — September 7, 2005 @ 1:11 pm
I also lost sleep over Floritta and Dusty. After watching the video, I was able to speak to a producer who directed my calls to other departments to no avail. Thank you BB for the “O’Reily” update. I would like Floritta’s address too if anyone locates her. Did anyone watch the FOX broadcast on 9/5 which aired a segment (multiple times) about a woman and her dog who were ready to leave the city but rescuers would not take her dog? This woman, while crying, vowed to stay with her dog (named Tinky, possibly a Chow). She spent the entire week saving other peoples lives. I have not heard the end of this story and want to help.
Comment by Cathy Boas — September 7, 2005 @ 5:58 pm
does anyone know how to delete a post i left my e-mail and now all sorts of freuds are e-mailing me…
Comment by jen — September 7, 2005 @ 7:10 pm
I haven’t heard about the woman on the bridge with the Chow Chow named Tinky. I saw her on the bridge crying so hard. It was heartbreaking. Her name is LaWanda Poley, her husbands name is George Davis and they’re from the 8th ward. I saw another article about them saying how they rescued people all week. I think it was before she was ready to leave though because they didn’t mention her leaving the dog.
If you find out, let us know.
I did hear that they rescued “Snowball” the dog that belonged to a boy that vomited from being so upset that his dog couldn’t go with him.
That crap makes me so sad
and violent..and not necessarily in that order!
De Anna in Scottsdale, Az.
Comment by De Anna — September 7, 2005 @ 11:57 pm
Animals are what makes peoples lives more complete, it wouldn’t be that hard for them to let the pets come too. A lot of people could have lost their lives because they stayed with their animals and didn’t evacuate. They should build more animal shelters just for natural disasters, they could even substitute other buildings as temporary shelters.
Comment by Johnny — September 8, 2005 @ 1:11 am
Thank you for having this forum. I can’t stop thinking about Floritta and Dusty. I would love to know how I can help Floritta and her little dog Dusty. Does anyone know how I can help?
Comment by Matt — September 8, 2005 @ 3:10 am
I love all animals, have two wonderful loving dogs, and would never leave them behind in a situation like that. But, that still has to be the funniest video I have ever seen. I have it Tivo’d and play it back often.
Remember, DUSTY IS FINE!
Comment by Save Dusty — September 8, 2005 @ 3:32 am
Where can I find the whole video that shows poor Dusty getting dragged? Does anyone know?
Comment by Matt — September 8, 2005 @ 7:15 am
I discovered this blog from another site last night with new info on Floritta and Dusty:
The dog’s fine. He’s in a cage at the shelter. Geraldo was on Hannity’s radio program, and he mentioned that someone that the elderly woman knows lives 2 miles away from the shelter that she’s at, and that she has some spare bedrooms (her kids moved out a while ago). So she’s going to live with her for a while, and there’s a yard so the dog can roam. Geraldo’s going to visit her this weekend, so expect an interview on At Large!
Comment by Cathy Boas — September 8, 2005 @ 9:43 am
Here is the link to the Daily News story about Lawanda Poley, her husband George Davis, and Tinky:
www.nydailynews.com/front/story/343552p-293261c.html
Comment by Cathy Boas — September 8, 2005 @ 9:52 am
Dear Mr. Save Dusty!
I MUST have a copy of that footage that you have TIVO’D of dusty and Floritta being dragged to the helicopter. Can you please turn it to an AVI or other file and email it to me at squiggy82@yahoo.com? I am desperate to see this footage.
Comment by I LOVE Dusty — September 8, 2005 @ 8:28 pm
I was also wondering about the woman with the Chow named Tinky. It was just so sad…..
Comment by Terr — September 8, 2005 @ 9:28 pm
I’ve searched a bit more..still nothing on LaWanda and Tinky.
Comment by De Anna — September 8, 2005 @ 10:36 pm
Greta just announced on her “On the Record” newscast that viewers have been inquiring about Lawanda and Tinky. She said FOX news would also like to help but cannot locate them. She appealed to her audience for assistance regarding the whereabouts of this woman and her dog.
Comment by Cathy Boas — September 8, 2005 @ 11:10 pm
DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO DELETE SOMETHING WE WROTE.. I THOUGHT I WAS BEING NICE LEAVING MY E-MAIL and it is sick how many scams now are coming thru my e-mail… someone I can e-mail to remove it????
Comment by jen — September 9, 2005 @ 9:09 am
There’s a message board on Yahoo where people have been inquiring also.
Comment by De Anna — September 9, 2005 @ 5:00 pm
Special on Geraldo tonight..Saturday…Going to show Floritta
and Dusty..LIVE!!!! Both are doing fine.
Searched to see if any news about LaWanda Poley and Tinky,couldn’t find anything,but will keep looking.Would also like to know if the little boy has been reunited with “Snowball”.
Comment by BB — September 10, 2005 @ 10:17 pm
The story of Florita and Dusty was just beautiful. Geraldo’s got heart. I’ll never forget how he pleaded for help that Friday night from the Convention center calling it ‘Dante’s Inferno’. I think the pressure from the media caused the postive change we saw that Saturday with the rescues.. Anyway Geraldo is about to do his update right now on Florita and Dusty 9-10-05 10:ooPM
Comment by Annie — September 10, 2005 @ 10:17 pm
“LEWANDA POLEY, NEW ORLEANS RESIDENT: We’ve been taking food and water to people all week and we’ve been taking families up to the bridge that want to evacuate and now that we want to get out they won’t let us take our dog and I can’t leave her. I want to go. I want to leave but I can’t leave her.”
I still have not heard one thing about her and her dog. I’m going to email greta van sustern but I’m not hopeful that she even reads all of her email. Anyone else heard anything?
I can’t get her out of my head. I’ve seen my mother cry over her pets the same way- when she had to finally let them go- age or illness. She just reminded me so much of my Mom.
It’s heartbreaking!
Comment by De Anna — September 13, 2005 @ 12:22 am
Update on Lawanda Poley — Oprah to the rescue!
www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050914/NEWS01/509140328/1002/NEWS
Comment by Cathy Boas — September 19, 2005 @ 3:23 pm
Oh YaY! Thank you so much for posting that. I’ve thought about her everyday. I’m not usually ‘freaky’ like that but like I said- she reminded me so much of my mom.
I just love Oprah!
I’m glad the news ran a lot of personal stories. I think it’s those in depth stories about individuals that really help us identify with them and reach out.
Cathy-
thanks for posting the update. I wondered after a while if people lost interest or forgot…
YaY, again!
Comment by De Anna — September 20, 2005 @ 10:34 pm