I wrote this after I question myself if I had a choice to save a pet, or leave one behind during a disaster such as hurricane victims are facing, what decisons would be made, and why?

With hurricane Rita threatening destruction again on Louisiana and now the Texas coast also, people are once again faced with hard questions of what to take with them that they are allowed to bring, while moving out to safer grounds on a bus. Reports show that many people will not ride the storm out this time, because they can take one pet with them, as long it is in a cage upon entering the bus. This is a great improvement and way of convincing people to leave, and bring much relief from owners, especially if they only own one pet.

But, what about the people and families that own more than one pet, and all the pets are like family members to them? Which one do they choose and hope and pray the other, or others survive the hurricane? How does the family make such a decision, especially when members of the family have a different attachment to the different pets? Who wins the decision and choice of which pet goes with them? For example, Sara is only five and she got her puppy for Christmas, and it has been her best friend and companion and sleeps in her bed, and listens to her cry! But, there is the cat that Mom has had for 11 years, and she nursed it from a baby, and she will be devastated without her cat. And in turn, Dad has his dog that he has had for 6 years, and it has protected the family, and they have a very close relationship. Who wins? And why?

My husband and I live in Huntsville, Al., and while we have some pretty strong storms, and a tornado or two has been through, I really do not think we will be faced with such a decision concerning pets and hurricanes, and making these choices. We have four dogs, and love each one of them dearly. If we had to narrow it down, two came to mind immediately, but it would still be such a hard decision to leave any behind. He would want to take his dog Silas, as Silas is his best friend, and our protector, and he got him when I had to be away a lot taking care of my mom. I would want to take my dog Precious, as I have had her for a long time, and her personality matches her name, and she got me through several depression periods. How would we decide which one would go between the two? We discussed this at length tonight, and never made a decision, as we did not have to make such a lifetime decision. But, if we had to, what type of decision would we make, any how would we decide? How would this effect our lives? I know that if I had to leave Precious behind and I had a choice, I would be resentful. Thankfully, we do not have to make that decision in the near future.

But, what about the families that have to make this hard hearted decision? With everything else going wrong right now faced with evacuation of hurricane Rita, what kind of impact will a decision of this make on their lives? News reports that hurricane Rita went from a category 2 to 5 within two hours, and more than 1.3 million have been ordered to evacuate. That is a whole lot of danger, and a whole lot of people, and many of these people have to make this choice of what pet stays and which one goes. What family member wins on this choice and why?

While the majority of the people that read this, thankfully will not have to make a decision of this, nor face the horrors so many people face or have faced concerning the hurricane, or hurricanes. But, if you had to face the decision of which pet to take, which one would you or your family choose and why? ( I know I am being redundant here.)

To many people, pets are just something nice to have, and expendable. But those who love their pets so deeply in their hearts, and have a special relationship and bonding with their pets, I would think quite traumatic for them to make this decision. To many, our beloved pets are like our children, especially if they never had children, or their children are grown and gone, like ours. How do you decide?

Just something to think about. Besides, the way things are going with the world now, especially the weather, you can never be really sure when you might have to make a decision and choice such as this. And a quick one at that.

Katie Fairchild

Sept. 21, 2005