Joplin Survivor Helps Others in Name of Lost Dog

While many people in and around Joplin work to rebuild their lives, Kari Wilkes works to rebuild her family.

The night of the E-F5 tornado Kari hid in a tiny linen closet with her pets, her American Bulldog, Hanah, in front of her.

"The pressure in the house changed and the roof ripped off, when that happened I couldn't hold the door anymore," she said. "It just sucked her right out of my arms, and I saw her going up the hall. Her feet weren't even touching the ground."

Two trees fell around the closet that Kari hid inside, keeping it up, and the only thing of her home left standing. Once she was able to crawl out and find a first responder Kari had one thing on her mind.

"He said 'are you OK? You are bleeding.' I said 'I am fine. Have you seen a big white dog?'"

Immediately Kari's mother-in-law posted a Craigslist ad looking for Hanah. A man responded sending Kari a picture of the dog. He said he had seen an SUV stop beside Hanah on the road.

"He saw her get inside," Kari said.

Shortly after, the man's number was disconnected.

"I'm not giving up, she is out there somewhere and we are going to get her back," Kari said.
 
Eight months after the tornado, door to door, day to day, Kari and her husband search for Hanah, even refilling Hanah's food and water bowls - just in case their hungry "fat girl," as they lovingly called her, comes home to eat. Through all the work the family one day received some unexpected help.

A woman living in Indiana called Kari saying she saw her ad on Craigslist and wanted to help. Heather Pawluck set up the Bring Hanah Home Facebook page -now with more than 11,000 followers.

"I felt for her," Heather said. "As a dog owner myself I wanted to help."

Although Kari may just have her memories of Hanah, her search for her beloved pet turned into so much more - helping others affected by the tornado.

"Everybody from all over the country started sending my Christmas decorations," Kari said.

Through the Bring Hanah Home page, in December Kari and Heather coordinated donations of gifts and Christmas trees for 50 families still suffering through the aftermath of the tornado. The site has also helped in the searches of other missing pets in and around Joplin.

"Helping is healing," Kari said. "It's an amazing feeling that you get. I'm paying it forward for all those people who have been to Hanah's page."

So as people in the Joplin area lay the foundation for a future, Kari keeps pounding the pavement, sure her Hanah is out there, and that after the darkness of the storm, the light that comes through is often the kindness of others.

"You know what? There is always hope, if people just come together and help one another it can makes things so much better," Kari said.

There is now a $2500 reward with no questions asked for Hanah's safe return home.

The group's newest service project is providing dog beds and treats for military service K-9s overseas, and letters to soldiers as well. To find out more, go to Hanah's page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/BringHanahHome