Clothier/Rice Barn Fire - How you can help

FROM BARN FIRE to BARN OF JOY: St. Patrick's Day 2004, our barn burned to the ground, taking with it our beloved pig Charlotte, turkey Mabel, cats Dudley & Jessie and many chickens and turkeys did not escape. ( Please click here for details.) The incredible outpouring of support from all directions has humbled and staggered us - we are truly blessed. The new barn that stands now is the barn that love built, and includes a room for seminars & training so that the love that made this possible can be passed along for years to come. Thank you for your support & patience during this difficult time. - Suzanne & John

On St. Patrick's Day around 1 in the afternoon, our barn caught on fire and burned to the ground. Thankfully, both John and I were home, and he noticed the smoke just a few minutes after the fire started.

John was able to move almost all the animals to safety. Despite the panic and fear they must have been experiencing in such thick smoke (John could only see bellies and legs of the horses), every animal cooperated as if trained for fire drills. Thank God for John's training as a fireman, and his long experience as a forest ranger in dealing with fires - he knew what to do, did it perfectly, and did not get hurt in even the slightest way.

Within 15-20 minutes, the flames had totally engulfed this wonderful old barn which had stood since roughly 1913 and weathered countless adventures. Within the hour, it had collapsed and was gone. It was terrifying to watch, especially as the flames added another whole story to a 3 story structure. Whether the hand of God or the breath of our great bull Jeremy whose spirit watches over the farm (or both), the winds blew in an unusual way, so that the fire was directed away from the house. No question that we were protected that day.

Our beloved turkey Mabel died in the fire along with other chickens and turkeys. Single-handedly, Mabel helped change many people's minds about her species. There are quite a few people who will always remember the feel of her beautiful feathers, her warm, softly feathered head, and how willingly she would cuddle up next to almost anyone for a snuggle or even a long nap.

Mabel was an extraordinary ambassador for her species, and for animals in general. She taught us so much about, and her gentle wisdom will be missed.

Two dear cats - Dudley, our 13 year old black cat, and Jessie, our 3 year old tortoiseshell - are among the missing and presumed dead. Their sweet, loving presence will be sorely missed. We still hold out some slim hope that they are simply scared and may yet return. Our other 3 cats have been located and are safe.

Most difficult loss of all was Charlotte, our wonderful pig. Though she had been safe with all the other pigs, Charlotte ran back into the flames and then ran back out. It is possible that as the incredible mother she was, she was trying to make sure that all were safe. We will never know why she went back into the burning barn, straight into the flames.

Initially we thought Charlotte was okay, though badly singed and with some burns. But as the horrible day wore on, it became clear early in the evening that her breathing was labored - every breath was a struggle. We realized that while in the flames, her screams of pain meant she had breathed in flame and in doing so had charred her lungs. That night, just past midnight, as a terrible ending to an awful day, we put her out of her misery, and released her magnificent spirit.

It is impossible to describe what it is to stand on a cold winter night, with newly fallen snow all around you, your favorite pig dying at your feet, flames and smoke dancing in the dark from the still burning barn, so many animals confused, cold and without shelter and needing to be fed and watered and cared for. Our horses and donkeys stood quietly awaiting us, their warm strong bodies most welcome shoulders to lean on as we cried and tried to figure out what comes next.

Yet just a few steps away, the house stands unharmed, filled with light and warmth, and the love of the animals inside who are blessedly safe. All I could think of was the bombing of Dresden, Hiroshima, of wars and 9/11, of the tremendous tragedies that have been and are being suffered by so many in the world. Though saddened and shocked, I said many prayers of thanks that this was not as bad as it could have been, and prayers for the countess in the world suffering far more than we will ever suffer.

We are stunned, grateful for all our animal friends who survived and who cooperated so beautifully with John when he moved like a true hero to clear them all from the barn. Mostly, right now, we are simply numb and beginning to grieve the loss of some great friends, and trying to figure out how to attend to the needs of the many animals left without shelter. So much lost with the barn that we haven't even begun to grasp - it will all become clear as time goes on.

The house and all the dogs are fine. We are physically fine, though our hearts are heavy with our losses.

We do not have words to express our thanks for the support & love that began flowing our way so quickly. Please just know that we are deeply grateful, and more than little overwhelmed.

A Yahoo email group has been set up. Our friend Kathy Marr will post updates through this list. To join the list, please go to SCJRbarn-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Kathy Marr is coordinating help & donations. Please contact her if you have any questions or to offer assistance.

SPREAD THE WORD - Please feel free to crosspost this information. This is going to be an uphill climb.

PHOTOS - For those who have been to the farm, we know that many are having trouble trying to visualize precisely what has happened. These photos document the staggering changes wrought by the fire. What they cannot capture adequately is the mixture of gratitude and grief that fills our hearts.