Bella's Blog

 02:25 PM CDT on Wednesday, September 3, 2008

 By DAN X. McGRAW / The Dallas Morning News
dmcgraw@dallasnews.com

Betty Betts didn't think much of her Chihuahua's yapping bark this afternoon until she heard a loud creaking noise coming from her kitchen.

When she went to check it out, Ms. Betts found a large pecan tree leaning against her West Dallas home, separating her kitchen wall from the rest of the house.

"When I looked out, I could see the clouds,” she said.

Ms. Betts, 68, yelled at her son to get out of the house.  By the time they both got out, the tree had fallen fully through the side of her home in 1700 block of McBroom Street.

"I thank God for the dog because if it weren't for that dog, I don't know what would have happened," Ms. Betts said. "I love my dog."

The fallen tree destroyed her kitchen.  Ms. Betts said the fire department was working to put a tarp over the open portion of her home until it could be repaired. She's hoping it doesn't rain.