Help Us Rebuild After a Devastating House Fire In the early morning hours around 1:00 AM, I woke up to screaming — “The house is on fire!” Within seconds, everything changed. Flames were already spreading fast. There was no stopping it. My only focus was getting everyone out safely. I threw on my shoes and made sure Jessica and her daughter were out of the house. Thankfully, they made it out. Then I remembered — our pets. Two cats were still inside, one of them pregnant. I went back in. The smoke was thick. I couldn’t see. I could barely breathe. I have asthma, and the heat and smoke were overwhelming. I tried to find them, but conditions became too dangerous. The front of the house was collapsing, and I had to escape through a bedroom window. I thought all the dogs had made it out during the first rush. Later, I learned something that broke me. One of our dogs — Angel — had followed me back inside when I reentered the house. I didn’t know she was behind me. She became trapped and didn’t make it out. Angel was the best dog I have ever loved. Loyal, gentle, and family. She will never be forgotten. One of the cats survived by a miracle. The younger cat did not. I was taken to Piedmont Newnan Hospital for smoke inhalation and breathing complications due to asthma. We stood outside and watched everything Jessica worked her entire life for burn to the ground. Jessica worked tirelessly to pay off her home and land. There was no homeowner’s insurance. Everything is gone — clothes, furniture, family heirlooms, collectibles, coins, baseball cards, irreplaceable memories. We escaped with only what we were wearing. Right now, we have no stable housing and no safety net. Every donation will go toward: Temporary housing Basic necessities (clothing, hygiene, food) Pet care and recovery needs Saving toward rebuilding our future This has been emotionally devastating. Losing material things is painful — but losing our pets has been the hardest part of all. We are not asking for luxury. We are asking for a chance to rebuild. If you can donate, share, or even offer guidance from your own experience, it would mean more than we can put into words. From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping us take the first steps forward.