Devastating News - Maria and her birds

[kjhna]

Maria's home caught on fire this morning. They believe it was a gas leak. All of her birds are gone, including Abby, as well as 5 foster cats. She of course is devastated. She wanted me to post and let you all know.

The fire was mainly in the laundry room / kitchen area, but the fumes were just to much for the birds. She lost 21 birds and 5 cats. I pray they just went to sleep peacefully. I am heartbroken for her and have not stopped crying. I just cannot imagine what she is going through.

She had 4 dogs that did make it. Two were in the back yard, and two the firemen got to in time and were given oxygen. They are at the vets office.

Please, keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She is going to need our support.

Kim

[sweetmarie]

Words cannot express how I feel right now. I mourn for Abby and Maria's 20 other birds. I cannot fathom the loss. I am shocked and bereft for Maria. This is truly devastating news.

[Optimistic]

I am at a loss for words and its so hard to type this through the tears. I worked with Maria and gave her the money to rescue Reno and Maggie the two BG'S and I know the compassion, love and dedication Maria gives to all the birds, dogs and cats that she rescues and opens her home to.
I have a horrific battle on my hands right now and my health is not the greatest, but I will do what I can to try and help Maria, she is a very deserving person who deserves all the help she can get, PLEASE Kim, let her know that I am thinking of her and PLEASE keep me informed of her well being.

Patti

[Beatriz Cazeneuve]

OMG! What terrible news! And we were just talking about how fire is always the worst worry for people with a lot of animals... Poor, poor babies! And poor, poor Maria! I can just imagine what she is going through. Please, Kim, convey my deepest sympathies to her. Only people who love animals can understand the depth of her sorrow... But please assure her that they must have died of smoke inhalation way before the fire got to them and that's not such a bad way to go.

I am terrified of gas, that's why, even though it's much more expensive, everything in my house is electric and brand new wiring for that matter. I would not have it any other way. Too many animals.

[Karen]

This is so very sad. My deepest condolences.

Karen

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Don't know Maria or anything about her or her animals, but having that many foster animals, she has to be a good and special person. Very sorry for her, terrible news indeed. Glad she made it out OK. Sincerely, Bob

[sweetmarie]

I am in mourning over Abby and all of Maria's birds and cats. Maria, I wish I could embrace you and kiss you and commiserate with you over your deep loss. I am still reeling from the news this morning and awoke with that terrible feeling. I cannot imagine what you must be coping with right now. My heart is with you.

[Catray44]

I am so very sorry, Maria.

[kjhna]

Article from the paper...my heart is just broken. Sending much love and many prayers to you Maria...

http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071030/A_NEWS/710300329

Blaze claims nearly 30 animals


By David Siders
October 30, 2007
Record Staff Writer
STOCKTON - Five cats, a rabbit and at least 22 birds were killed Monday in a house fire in central Stockton.

A crippled Chihuahua that hid beneath the covers of a bed survived, as did a dog to which the Stockton Fire Department gave oxygen, said Maria Couragee, the owner of the Baker Street home.

She knelt where firefighters laid those that did not live, and she cried.

All were rescued from pounds or less desirable places, she said. Some were to stay there. Others were to have been adopted out, Couragee said.

There was Frieda, a Siamese cat, and Marvin the rabbit. Baby, a sulphur-crested cockatoo, came from Reno and "talked really well," she said. So did the African grey parrot, Rosie, she said.

The bird used to say, "I need your love. Step up," Couragee said.

All died of smoke inhalation, she said.

The fire started about 8:15 a.m. in the laundry room at the back of her house, fire Capt. Curtis LaFever said. Its cause remained undetermined. The loss was estimated at $60,000, officials said. No person was injured.

Couragee, an English teacher at Stockton School for Adults, was at work when the fire started. Neighbors fetched her, she said.

"I don't care about the house," she said.

A firefighter at her home soaked the roof later Monday. The Rev. Eddie Green, a department chaplain, told Couragee it was not her fault.

But she said, "I took them off the street to give them a better life."

Then this.

The Chihuahua, Doodle, and the dog that required oxygen were at a veterinarian's clinic for observation, Couragee said. Two other dogs that were outside and hid in bushes were staying at the clinic, too.

Three of Couragee's students came to her house later Monday to bury her pets, she said.

Contact reporter David Siders at (209) 943-8580 or dsiders@recordnet.com.

[kjhna]

Hi everyone,

I thought I would give you a brief update because I know you are all thinking about Maria. I spoke with her a little while ago. She is at the house. There are people there boxing up almost everything she owns because it is either damaged by smoke or water. She was able to get a few items and articles of clothing and is getting them cleaned. The other items will be placed in storage for the time being and she is not sure when or what she will get back.

She is being very brave though this whole ordeal, but as you can imagine, very, very, heartbroken as well. She is still in shock and I’m sure the days ahead will not be easy. It will take time to heal from the loss of her birds and other pets.

They will have to gut the whole house and rebuild it, so she will have to find a place to rent for the time being. The insurance company is being very fair thank goodness.

In the interim, what she will need is everyday items and some personal things as well, i.e., sheets, blankets, towels, toiletries, dishes, cook ware, glasses, etc.

If you would like to help, as I know most of you do, you can send any of these items to the address provided below. Another thing that might be easier would be to send a Target gift card. She has a Target store right down the street so this would make things very convenient for her.

For now, she is having her mail sent to the following address, as it is a friends business:

Simoni Chiropractic
2904 Pacific Avenue
Stockton, CA 95204
ATTN: Maria Couragee

She also still has an outstanding bill at the Medical Center for Birds if you would like to make a donation to help pay that off.

Medical Center for Birds
3805 Main Street
Oakley, CA 94561
ATTN: Donation for Maria Couragee

The phone number for the vet is 925-625-1878.

The paper ran a story on the fire today, here is the link http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071030/A_NEWS/710300329

and she was just interviewed by Fox News, Channel 8 out of Sacramento, if anyone wants to check it out on line later tonight.

She commented to me, “You know I have been rescuing animals for a long time and no one has ever wanted to interview me about it, but now that I have had 30 animals die in a fire, everyone wants to interview me. Sad isn’t it.

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Thanks, kjhna, for posting the story and informing us (who don't know) a little more about Maria. See, I knew she was a good and special person. Doesn't make the news any brighter, though. I'll keep her in my prayers. Bob

[Beatriz Cazeneuve]

What size sheets? And what size clothing is she? We might all have some stuff that we never wore (I know for a fact I do because my daughter is always buying stuff she never wears and then gives it to me) that she can use.

[sweetmarie]

Does she have a bed? Please be more specific with your list, dear Kim. Thank you for keeping us apprised of the situation. I admit, I had a hard time going to sleep last night. The night before I cried for the birds and last night the tears were dripping on my pillow for Maria. The injustice of life never ceases to upset me.

[kjhna]

Okay, I am thinking Maria's ancestors were Amazon women! She is 6 ft tall, long arms and, shall we say..."big boned" . Pants size 26/28 ( long I would think), shirt/dress size 22 ish ( or maybe a 1X/2X). Shoe size 11 - 11 1/2 Good grief girl!!

The insurance company told her to buy a bed ( the old one is condemned), but she will need sheets, probably queen size would work, and she said just basic kitchen stuff to get her by for now.

You can also do the target gift card as an alternative!

She has taken the week off to try and get some things done, i.e. find a place to live. I called her this morning after watching the news and seeing they had an earth quake in San Jose/ SFO area ( very near her) another Good Grief!! She is okay from that.

Hope this helps... Kim

[Beatriz Cazeneuve]

Oh, geez, bless her, yes, she is a big woman but then she would need a big body to house a big heart! Let me see what I can do.