Paris The Pomeranian (Click to enlarge)
Think of Paris. Eiffel Tower. Romantic walks along the Seine; wearing a beret, perhaps. The Musee du Louvre . This would be really funny if you could hear me say it. Give me a call, and to brighten your day I will speak in non-sensical French for you. I also speak fluent non-sensical Spanish. Yep, if you want nonsense, I’m your woman. I digress. Today it’s not Paris, France, it’s Paris, 2009 Lady In Waiting for the court of Mardi Paws. And she’s all that, readers. Lovely in anything she’s wearing, of course, but look at those feathers. That is the Pomeranian halo. I’m not sure anyone else sees it as a halo but to me these Pomeranians look angelic. Well, who am I kidding; all dogs are kind of angelic.
This morning I read an article about a man who was reunited with his dog. The Lab, JJ, was left when the man evacuated from New Orleans in 2005 during Katrina. I don’t know all the details of this reunion, only what the reporters care to share. Items that will make people want to read a feel-good story. Luckily reader, I’m not that writer. I want to know more, even if it doesn’t make us “feel good”. For instance, do you think for an instant Paris and her house puppy mates would have been left behind? How about any of your pet family? I think, if you’re reading this, you are not one of those folks who would ever leave any of your pets behind. That’s not how people in the animal-loving world roll. When we’re running like rats abandoning the ship, we’re not leaving our children behind. We’re finding a way.
Which brings me to the discussion of the day. Hurricane season. I know I have readers in Florida and the gulf south. This pertains to you. June 1st marks the beginning of the season. It’s not a time to pull out the tree, although perhaps we should be more festive about it. Maybe more people would prepare if it was fun. It’s a time when we need to make preparations. Saving The Whole Family authored by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is a must read for anyone in the hurricane belt. It takes one through disaster preparedness for all the members in your family, including equines and other livestock. If you have ‘em, you’d better take care of ‘em. Things like micro chipping the animals is something we all should do for our pets anyway, but they mention other good ideas, such as preparing your pet for evacuation by familiarizing them to crates and carriers.
The Humane Society of The United States (HSUS) puts out a booklet, Disaster Preparedness for Pets, which has helpful steps to take before disaster strikes. The operative words here are before the disaster strikes. Make sure all your pets have a travel carrier. Your cats will need a play pen when you get where you’re going. It goes without saying that you gather all your leashes, bowls, toys and medications, but don’t forget comfort foods for them too. How about your shut-in neighbor? Now’s the time to meet her and make sure she’s got a plan. She may have a plan for herself, but what about her dog or cat? Help her. No one has the luxury of saying, “I’ve lived through Betsy, Camile (fill in the blank)” blah, blah, blah. If they don’t have a plan, they will be a drain on our first responders. No one is allowed to say that anymore.
It’s not enough to be prepared. We have to help others prepare. Some of us cannot look at any more horrible scenes of abandoned animals eating those who didn’t make it. Our rescue begins now. Get organized.
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