Storms, Dogs, and Cats

This is a story about hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, snowstorms, dogs and cats. It sure was disturbing in the early days of the evacuation of New Orleans to see elderly people forced to abandon their pets as they were loaded into boats and whisked away. I was relieved to later see that the rules were relaxed a bit and people could carry their dog or cat with them. That was a solemn sight to see dogs trapped by high water on porches and obviously starving to death.

In the last day or so, there has been a concentrated effort to rescue the dogs that were left behind and try to reunite them with their owners. Saw a couple of the reunions caught by TV cameras and I couldn’t tell who was happier—the dog or the humans.

I don’t know what I would do if I had to leave my little puppy behind knowing almost for certain that she would drown or starve to death. I don’t think I could do it. I believe we would just take our chances and stick it out.

That story unfolds time and time again, not only with hurricanes, but with tornadoes, snowstorms, ice storms and flash floods. On some of our coldest winter nights, I have seen dogs out wandering around and I don’t see how in the world they could find a warm spot. I do not understand people who will have pets and not protect them from adverse outside weather. Could never, ever do that.

-J. B. Elliott