Daily Kos

View Story | 389 comments

  •  Dogs (4.00 / 3)

    We use 3 big dogs as deterents. They are trained to run up barking and smack the front door when someone approaches it.
    That tends to run off anyone we don't know.
    Of course the people that do know us think nothing of it. As soon as we approach the front door and yell sit all the dogs move back and sit quietly as they are supposed to.
    Mostly though we let them bark and fuss till we look out the window to see who is there.

    If I want feel good, happy, happy I will smoke a joint. For President I want a real plan.

    by J Rae on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:08:14 PM PDT

    [ Parent ]

    •  my dog does the same thing (4.00 / 5)

      he's ridiculously ferocious behind the door.

      Of course, when a ballsy burglurar opens the door, my dog runs off to show him where the silver is kept, and helps carry the TV.

      I love that dog.

      "Man is free at the moment he wishes to be." - Voltaire

      by DrFrankLives on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:10:35 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Trained to run up and smack the door? (4.00 / 3)

      Wow, I never knew our dogs were trained in personal protection, but they run up barking and generally crash into the front door as they do so. And here I thought they were just clumsy balls of fur.  Of course, the terrier/chihuahua mix isn't likely to scare anybody off (although they might die laughing when they watch him try).  However, the 100-lb german shepherd more than makes up for him in the "visible deterrant" department.

      by dianem on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:19:19 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  LOL (4.00 / 2)

        This has to be one of the easiest things to train your dog to do. Have someone stand outside and ring the door bell, most dogs react with excitement to that anyway. Encourage the running to the door and banging on it with a treat. Then after you have them doing that train them to back off on command and sit. That part is a bit harder but not much.

        If I want feel good, happy, happy I will smoke a joint. For President I want a real plan.

        by J Rae on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 02:29:39 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Pet Checklist & Call to STOP SHOOTING DOGS (4.00 / 6)

          Disaster Preparation Checklist

          If at all possible, do not leave animals behind. There is no way of knowing what may happen to your home while you are away, and you may not be able to return for days or even weeks. Animal companions left behind may become malnourished, dehydrated, or crushed by collapsing walls. They may drown or escape in fear and become lost.

          All animals should have collars with identification. Make sure that you have a current photo of your animal companion for identification purposes, the same as you would for a child.
          Place an emergency window sticker near your front door in case a weather emergency or fire strikes when you are not home. This sticker will alert rescuers to animals in your home who need help. Be sure to note how many animals are in the home and where they can be found.

          Have an animal emergency kit readily available. The kit should include a harness and leash or carrier, bottled water, food and water bowls, and dry food. If you have a cat, keep litter and a small litter tray ready to go. Click here to order a PETA Rescue Kit to keep in your car that contains a collapsible carrier, leash, and towel. The kit is helpful if you must grab your animals quickly or if you encounter an animal on the road in need of help. You might also need blankets or sheets to cover carriers and help keep animals calm during transport.

          Hotels often lift their "no pets" policies during emergencies, but keep a list of hotels that always accept companion animals, just in case. (Most Motel 6s accept animals.) Include your local animal shelter's number in your list of emergency numbers--it might be able to provide information during a disaster.

          (Other Hotels/Motels accept Pets, which ones?)

          If you are unable to return to your home right away, you may need to board your animal companion. Most boarding kennels, veterinarians, and animal shelters require medical records to make sure that rabies vaccinations are current, so keep copies of these records with your emergency kit.

          If You Must Leave Your Animal Behind

          Never turn animals loose. Do not tie animals outside or keep them in a vehicle unattended. Leave them in a secure area inside your home.

          Leave out at least 10 days' supply of water. Fill every sink, bowl, pan, and Tupperware container with water, then set them on the floor; do not leave just one container--it may spill. If your toilet bowl is free of chemical disinfectants, leave the toilet seat up to provide animals with one more source of water, but do not let that be the only source.

          Leave out at least 10 days' supply of dry food. Canned food will go rancid quickly.

          If you can't get to your home, contact a reliable neighbor or friend to check on the animals and get them out, if possible. Provide specific instructions on care.

          Helping Wild Animals

          Wild animals may also need our help during severe storms. Strong winds and gusts generated by tropical storms and hurricanes often throw young tree squirrels, flying squirrels, and baby birds from their nests. Flooding from significant rainfall may also force small mammals from their subterranean homes.

          Following severe weather, be sure to search carefully through debris and nearby creeks and streams for animals who have been displaced from their homes. These animals may need help right away. Before inclement weather arrives, check out the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association Web site and locate the nearest rehabilitator so you'll know whom to contact in the event of an emergency.

          from Peta:
          http://www.helpinganimals.com/f-disasterchecklist.asp

          ......................

          from Peta:
          http://www.helpinganimals.com/f-latestnews.asp

          The Latest News From the Gulf Coast and What You Can Do to Help

          September 9, 2005, 12 p.m.:

          Officials Shooting Dogs in Louisiana--Feds Must Hear from You Today!

          In the latest and most graphic display of our government's abandonment of animal-handling guidelines in disasters that were created with PETA's help years ago, some law enforcement agencies are now shooting dogs left stranded in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana.

          Revolting video footage posted on the Web site of the Dallas Morning News shows officers shooting dogs. At least one of their victims survived the gunshots and was apparently left to die a slow, agonizing death amid debris from the storm.
          Of course, shooting is not an approved, reasonable, or reliable method of animal control.

          In fact, The 2000 Report of the AVMA [American Veterinary Medical Association] Panel on Euthanasia--the veterinary medical authority on euthanasia--states, "[G]unshot should not be used for routine euthanasia of animals in animal control situations." This dangerous method often fails to achieve instantaneous unconsciousness; animals can be injured by initial gunshots and suffer tremendously before dying, as seems to be happening in St. Bernard Parish. Gunshot is also categorized as an inhumane method of killing in The Humane Society of the United States' "General Statement Regarding Euthanasia Methods for Dogs and Cats."

          This horror for animals, which is but the latest of many to be seen in Katrina's wake, underscores the urgent need for you to call on those in charge, today, to end immediately their callous policies toward animals suffering and to make the plight of animals affected by these disasters a part of planned investigations and hearings.

          September 9, 2005, 10 a.m.: Ask President Bush, Senate Committee to Make Plans for Animals Affected by Future Disasters Part of Their Investigations

          September 8, 2005, 6 p.m.: Distraught Couple Reunited With Forcibly Abandoned Animals; Officials Continue Heavy-Handed Evacuations of Vulnerable Animal Guardians

          September 8, 2005, 11 a.m.: Proceeds From Auction to Support Animal Emergency Fund

          September 7, 2005, 9 p.m.: Americans Urged to Tell New Orleans Officials to Allow Animals to Be Evacuated

          September 7, 2005, 9 a.m.: PETA Dispatches Rescue Team; Rue McClanahan Asks for Compassion for Katrina's Animal Victims

          September 6, 2005, 5:30 p.m.: PETA Asks Lt. Gen. Honore to Allow Companion-Animal Rescues

          many green, yellow, blue and now purple dogs are a majority.

          by Prove Our Democracy with Paper Ballots on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 05:09:11 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Ready preparedness for pet evacs (4.00 / 2)

            Although we live on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, we haven't evacuated yet(never say never, but with elderly non-ambulatory parents, oxygen, many pets . . . .)  I keep a pet carrier for each pet inside the house, clean and ready to go. The dog carrier is a collapsable one that she knows and likes as a den (standard poodle). My dog will not drink water while traveling in a car or at rest stops.  However, she will lick ice cubes from her dish AFTER we attain freeway speeds and my vibe is in a relaxed state.  (I know it seems like a goofy post, but it will make you CRAZY if your dog, especially a puppy, won't drink.  If you move puppies, unflavored pedialyte is good to keep on hand, since they can crash rather quickly.)

            Note that if cats are stressed and are very hot, and begin to PANT, you should lower their body temperature by placing a cold wet (really wet, not damp) towel in the carrier for them to lay on, and one over them.  (This I learned during fire season in Los Angeles!  I moved from earthquakes to hurricanes; go figure.) Cats can live for long periods with no food but will succumb quickly without fresh water.

            Living on the Gulf Coast, my indoor cats' rabies tags, which they don't wear, are always on my key chain.  The certificates are folded in my credit card wallet 365 days of the year, so I don't have to search for them in an emergency with the possibility of moving interstate.

            Many flashlights and flourescent lanterns are now available using AA batteries and are very lightweight and long lasting.  Rayovac and store brands, at Target and Walgreens,the stand up lanterns were hands down our #1 tool during Ivan, Tropical Storm Cindy ('05), and Katrina. That and a small walkman-size radio with the local television channels' audio feed are always in a basket in the den with a camera (insurance pics) and extra batteries.

            Sorry if these are duplicative.  I'll mind the thread and add more when appropriate.

            Books are humanity in print. Barbara Tuchman

            by gazingoffsouthward on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 07:37:13 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  La Quinta Inns (none / 1)

            Accept pets.  They have a limited number of "pet" rooms set aside for regular guests; don't know about emergencies.  Holiday Inn and Hampton often take animals.  None of the Marriott brands accept pets.

            Books are humanity in print. Barbara Tuchman

            by gazingoffsouthward on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 09:44:52 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

            •  Pet accepting hotels (none / 0)

              Actually, that's not quite true.  The Residence Inn by Marriott hotels will take pets.  In addition to the moderately-priced hotels mentioned above, most high-end hotels will take pets if notified in advance:  Four Seasons and Fairmont for starters.  Also Kimpton Hotels (like the Hotel Monaco mini-chain) all accept pets too, but don't need any notice.

              - The Great Skeeve

              by Skeeve on Mon Sep 12, 2005 at 04:43:58 PM PDT

              [ Parent ]

          •  If I have to walk out and sleep in the cold... (none / 1)

            my dogs go with me.  I'll sleep in my car before I'll go into a shelter that won't let me take my babies.  I just couldn't live with myself if I left them behind to face danger alone.  They trust me to take care of them.  And my husband feels the same way. The very first thing we take in a crisis is the dogs. Then the cat (she's a pain in the butt, but she's our pain in the butt, besides we can feed her to the dogs if we run out of food ;-)).  Then any valuables we have time to grab. But they go first.  

            One thing that truly breaks my heart in New Orleans is the animals, and thinking about all of the animals that people had to leave behind, because they had no car and the buses and shelters don't take pets.  I had to stop reading what you wrote halfway through at the part about shooting dogs.  I won't be able to sleep tonight if I think about that.

            The big risk in our area is fire.  My husband and I have already talked about where we would meet if the worst happened, and agreed that if there is even a remote risk of a wildfire in our area we are taking the animals to work with us.  Three dogs will cramp our style a bit, but we won't leave them if there is any known risk.

            by dianem on Fri Sep 09, 2005 at 10:43:36 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

View Story | 389 comments