On Monday, January 8th, 2024, I experienced shock for one of the few times in time in my life. As I walked up to my street at 4:45pm, I quickly noticed my street blocked off by fire trucks, police vans and ambulance. Continuing on my walk to my rental apartment, in a four-unit house, I quickly learned that the house was on fire. A heater in the neighbour's caught fire quickly igniting my downtown Hamilton home. The firefighters entered through the side of the house and in the midst of the chaos, my one and a half year old dog Bruno, a Golden Retriever Rottweiler mix, had escaped. My heart sank as I realized that my rescue dog was lost and my unit of the house was inhabitable. I now have to move out by Monday, January 15th due to structural issues and fire damage with as estimation of 6 months+ repair-time. Among all of this repair, I received support from the Hamilton community through neighbours searching on their spare time, Facebook reposts and sighting comments as well as the immense skill of the Hamilton Dream Search and Rescue Team. I was able to reunite with Bruno at 11:30pm that same day and I've never been more grateful. I am also in such awe with the care and comfort provided to me by the staff at my workplace, St. Vincent de Paul. The school community rallied together in raising about $750 for myself and Bruno. Thankfully, every person and animal living in this house was okay.
None-the-less, I have created this fund to support myself during these devastating times with the cost of hotels, lost items (television, couch, tables, etc) and the entire process of an unexpected and imminent move.
I cannot thank those enough who have supported me already though these difficult moments and if there is one thing I know, is that I AM RESILIENT!
Organizer
Caitlin Doesburg
Organizer
Hamilton, ON