Day 40 of the Apocalypse, Ground Zero, Gerton, NC pop. 231

There’s a homeless dog that has been wandering around since the Hurricane.

He is reddish brown, 50 or 60 pounds, middle-aged, and may be a Black Mouth Cur. His ears are darker than the rest of him, and he is stocky in stature. The dog has moved impressive distances - probably no more than a 15 mile radius, but up and done multiple mountains, crossing creeks, and destroyed roads. Every day he’s in a new place.

People have been posting photos of him in various local Facebook groups. Jeff put out a call for help in his “We are Gerton, NC” Facebook group, since he’s been showing up in Gerton multiple times a week. People responded immediately.

He’s made it as far south as Lake Lure, and as far north as Fairview. No one has stepped up to claim him. We don’t know if his owners aren’t on social media, or were killed in a mudslide, or evacuated without him. He’s got no collar or identification on him. We do know he likes fire stations and churches, as those are places he frequents.

This dog is super skittish and very, very smart. No one, despite radical efforts, has been able to catch him. Yesterday our friend Jamie finally managed to get a leash around his neck (a first!), while someone else distracted him with food, but the dog still got away.

The good news is that he’s finally begun to accept food, in fact we now know his favorites are cat food and chicken. Lots of people are feeding him. Someone even donated money via my husband to ensure he’s got enough food to eat.

Last week someone else in another town named him Gert. Now every time a person sees him they call out “Gert!,” expecting him to magically understand that he’s been renamed by an entire population.

Three months ago things would have been much different for this dog. There would have been an irritated post on Facebook from someone saying a dog kept showing up in their yard.

Commenters would have suggested calling animal control, or a local shelter, to come and deal with him. Or, better yet, accused the person making the post of being irresponsible, for not having already taken those steps.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, there are now hour-by-hour posts with sightings of Gert in different neighborhoods. People volunteer dog crates, or speciality leashes to catch Gert. Many people take turns watching for him to walk by. Others announce what kind of food they gave him, and at what time, perhaps so his menu remains varied, or so others know when he last ate.

Gert is one of thousands of examples of how disparate people in our area have come together over the past 40 days, utilizing social media for good, instead of harm.

I love scrolling through, and seeing the abundance of generosity that is being offered.

Here are some examples of posts I’ve seen in recent weeks…

• “I’m starting a volunteer list here, so we can help neighbors with damaged property. Write your name, availability, and skills below.”
• “Heads-up: The main highway in ___ section is going to be closed today for reconstruction. Let’s help this crew get the work done and not drive that way today.”
• “Free food today at the ____ Fire Department. All are welcome.”
• “I have extra clothes, sized X to X. Can anyone use them? I can bring them to you.”
• “I’ve got a chainsaw, an ATV, and I’m free all day today. Let me know what you need, and your address.”
• “Here’s a list of resources that are open today for food, water, WiFi, showers, and FEMA.”

Even as people are experiencing their own trauma and devastation, their impetus is to help.

The truth is that we are not wrestling against political parties, but against what we stand for as a people.

Today our nation votes for a new President. Tomorrow we still have the opportunity to be kind to our neighbors, and to take care of one another, irregardless of how we may cast our vote.