Are You Ready for Emergencies?

We have a very important reminder today and that is to remind you to plan for emergencies.  Mommy and Daddy have been talking about an emergency plan but so far they've just planned to have a plan.  Even though we don't have bad storms or tornadoes in our area, there is a remote chance of an earthquake and as we discovered Friday, there's always a chance for wildfires...

Photo by Andy Cripe - Corvallis Gazette Times

That fire began at 8:30 Friday night a half mile away from our house.  Mommy found out about it when she happened to check Facebook one minute after our local paper posted news on it.  She looked out the upstairs window and sure enough, she saw flames and a huge red glow.  The fire looked really close so she started pacing the house and planning for an evacuation.  If we did have to leave our home, one of Mommy's friends offered shelter for all of us at her house which we were very grateful for.  The question came what would they take.  The ASPCA has helpful information on being prepared for disasters which you can see by clicking here.  Yesterday Mommy started stockpiling stuff for us with a purchase of a small litter box and canned foods stored near our PTU's.  She'll get the rest of the stuff and also order a small bag of the litter we like too (we're picky)...

They are closer to being prepared but still have a ways to go.  They'll figure out for sure what needs to be grabbed in a hurry, where it's at and who is responsible for grabbing it.  As for us, Isabella is pretty easy to find since she's usually where they are.  By midnight Friday, she was ready for bed...

I hide in several different places so if the fire department knocked on our door, I'd be hidden in .023 seconds.  I'll come out for the opening of a can of stinky goodness so that's part of the plan - if I'm hiding, Mommy is in charge of finding me by opening a can of foods.  Anyway, the point is to have a plan of action if something were to happen causing you to have to leave your home whether it's immediately, in five minutes or fifteen - be prepared!  The day after the fire near us, the photo below shows how close the fire came to homes and apartments.  The fire department did a fabulous job of putting the fire out and saving every structure...

Photo by Andy Cripe - Corvallis Gazette Times

This has opened our eyes that emergencies can happen at any time for any reason and we need to be prepared.  It could be a natural disaster or something exploding or burning at a neighbor's house which threatens your house.  Please do check out the ASPCA's information to make sure you know what you need to be ready!

Do you already have an emergency plan?  Any tips you want to share?

Hope you have a safe day!

Angel and Isabella

From the archives - You've Come A Long Way Baby!

I first posted this on May 1st, when I was just getting started on my blog. Since I had very few readers at that time I thought I would revive it again so that my new readers can see how Sadie came to be a part of our family.

This article from January 2001 tells of the rescue of 40 adult Huskies and six litters of puppies from Banner County, Nebraska. Our dog, Sadie, was one of the puppies rescued by the humane society. She's the brown puppy in the picture.

My mom was living in Nebraska at the time and heard the story of these dogs being rescued. She called my husband and me in Colorado and asked if we wanted to adopt one. Well, that was an easy decision, absolutely! Mom was the first one through the door at the humane society the next day to put our name on the list of adopters. Luckily she was first and was persistant in calling them regularly because soon after the court hearing allowing the dogs to be adopted, another raid on a Yorkie puppy mill in Nebraska caused all the Huskies except two to be sent to other shelters throughout the region since the humane society needed room for the newest rescuees. The humane society called my mom and told her we could adopt a puppy, the other puppy pictured was adopted by a shelter employee. We were extremely lucky to welcome Sadie into our home and she has been living like royalty ever since!

Although Sadie was rescued early and now lives the good life, we have to speak out on behalf of the animals who are still living in cruel and neglectful conditions. Puppy mills have got to be shut down. Education is the key and once people know the horrible conditions animals are subjected to, it can no longer be swept under the rug. There are many responsible breeders out there but the ones who are not, have got to be stopped.

Our BeadedTail shop features many bracelets with animal awareness ribbons to show your support and we will donate a portion of the proceeds to animal awareness causes. You can also link directly to the ASPCA via the widget on the top of our blog and donate to their fight against animal cruelty and neglect. Support your local shelters too by giving money or your time or adopting a wonderful, loving furry friend. Thank you for helping us make the world a better place for animals! =^..^=

Speaking up for the Animals

This ASPCA commercial absolutely breaks my heart every time it comes on. I can't stand to watch it and I cry every time but yet I know the message needs to be heard. We have to speak for the animals who can't speak for themselves and we MUST help to stop animal cruelty. Supporting animal awareness causes is the reason we opened up our BeadedTail shop so although it's hard to watch, I felt I had to help spread the word of the plight to animals in need. Thank you for caring for the animals.

Hot weather tips for pets

With many parts of this country reaching 100 degrees already this summer, it's a good time for reminders about hot weather care for pets. This list is from the ASPCA's website and is a good thing for everyone to read each summer to keep our fur babies happy and healthy.

- A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must; add to that a test for heartworm, if your dog isn't on year-round preventive medication. Do parasites bug your animal companions? Ask your doctor to recommend a safe, effective flea and tick control program.

- Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle—hyperthermia can be fatal. Even with the windows open, a parked automobile can quickly become a furnace in no time. Parking in the shade offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day.

- Always carry a gallon thermos filled with cold, fresh water when traveling with your pet.

- The right time for playtime is in the cool of the early morning or evening, but never after a meal or when the weather is humid.

- Street smarts: When the temperature is very high, don’t let your dog standing on hot asphalt. His or her body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.

- A day at the beach is a no-no, unless you can guarantee a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water for your companion. Salty dogs should be rinsed off after a dip in the ocean.

- Provide fresh water and plenty of shade for animals kept outdoors; a properly constructed doghouse serves best. Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day to rest in a cool part of the house.

- Be especially sensitive to older and overweight animals in hot weather. Brachycephalic or snub-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus, as well as those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

- When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. And please be alert for coolant or other automotive fluid leaking from your vehicle. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste, and ingesting just a small amount can be fatal. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect that your animal has been poisoned.

- Good grooming can stave off summer skin problems, especially for dogs with heavy coats. Shaving the hair to a one-inch length—never down to the skin, please, which robs Rover of protection from the sun—helps prevent overheating. Cats should be brushed often.

- Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

- Having a backyard barbecue? Always keep matches, lighter fluid, citronella candles and insect coils out of pets' reach.

- Please make sure that there are no open, unscreened windows or doors in your home through which animals can fall or jump.

- Stay alert for signs of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting and drooling and mild weakness, along with an elevated body temperature.