Super sitter survives Hurricane Helene - Vikki & Diane’s story

When pet parent Vikki recently posted on our Community Forum looking to praise and recognize her super sitter, Diane, we had no idea how amazing their story truly was. Now, we know our sitters often go above and beyond, but pet sitter Diane went one step further, as during her cat sit in North Carolina she was faced with an extreme situation: Hurricane Helene. Let’s rewind and start from the beginning…

Going above and beyond as a sitter

Pet parents, Vikki and Paul, and their two adorable kitties, Noni and Mandarin, live in Asheville, part of the beautiful mountainous region of Western North Carolina (WNC). This part of America is usually untouched by hurricanes or tropical storms, but that all changed in September 2024. After causing catastrophic damage to large areas of Florida’s west coast, the Category 5 storm made its way up to WNC.

“The media around the world can give you the devastating results of this deluge. Our beautiful area has changed for a generation, perhaps longer. Lives and homes are lost, businesses transforming, and thousands of trees are gone.”

Thousands of miles away from home and faced with an unprecedented situation, Vikki and Paul's thoughts were with their beloved cats, their home, and of course, their sitter, Diane.

“Paul and I were out of the country for two months thanks to Diane’s past seasoned care of Nonie & Mandarin and our small home. We knew of Diane’s capabilities, however, the longevity of such devastation, the loss of life, all utilities, and the stress is tough for most. Except, of course, for Auntie Diane.”

Diane looked after our home and kitties as if they were her own

Diane (or ‘Auntie Diane’, as Vikki fondly calls her) is an experienced sitter and true animal lover. But as it turns out, Diane has more than just pet sitting wisdom under her belt... 

“As a child in New England, her parents taught her survival skills - conservation of resources and she was a true MacGyver – someone who can repurpose and reinvent any items on hand. Diane looked after our home and kitties as if they were her own.”

So when Hurricane Helene hit, Vikki knew her home and precious pets were in good hands. But Vikki was about to find out just how remarkable and resourceful Diane truly was in a life-or-death situation (with two cats in tow!). While surviving a tropical storm is one thing, sometimes the horrific aftermath can be the real test of character. 
“Electricity was back on for us within 15 hours; cellphones were out for days; the internet was unstable for a couple of weeks but a water main break from our pristine 23,000-acre reservoir in the mountains was catastrophic. That pristine water looked like chocolate milk. We decided together after two weeks of these MacGyverisms, that it was best for us to come home and not go on to Norway. Running water was not available until October 14th, about three weeks after Helene.”

Once back in WNC, Diane was happy to share how she made it through such awful conditions while also lovingly caring for the two family cats.

“I asked Diane to leave me lists of how she managed the lack of water; washing dishes (you use paper/plastic products - if you can find them after a disaster); no laundry and very important, toileting - the toilets need 1 ½ gallons a flush. Showers? Not available until comfort stations were built. Need I say more? She found ways to conserve immediately. What is also amazing, as soon as Diane could, she started cooking immediately for a food pantry locally.” 

Vikki, Paul, Noni, and Mandarin could not have been more grateful for her care and devotion. What’s more, Diane has agreed to sit again for Vikki in the not-too-distant future!

“There are not enough words to describe our special connection to Diane now and thank goodness she has agreed to come back to us in January. North Carolina is a special giving place and Diane fits right in!” 

“There are not enough words to describe our special connection to Diane”

It’s so heartwarming and touching to hear how a beautiful bond was made from such a devastating event. Diane is an inspiration and we’re lucky to have her in our wonderful community. As for Vikki, her consideration and consistent communication meant she was able to support Diane even whilst on another continent. 

While we sincerely hope our readers will never have to go through a similar experience, Vikki has a few pearls of wisdom for other pet parents who may end up in a similar situation.

“As much communication as possible is essential, and make sure that your sitter is ok with any agreed plan of action. I also believe that any additional expenses be covered by me, as the owner, to support the care of our home and animals. It is a partnership, like any good system. Diane is a true super sitter.”

Our thoughts go out to those still dealing with the devasting aftermath of Hurricane Helene. We truly hope you, your pets, family, and friends stay safe and well.

Read our members’ other extraordinary tales - like Trish’s incredible story of battling cancer while traveling America, or hear how the amazing Clanfield family used their membership to travel with their five children.