The Reality of Evacuating your Pet

Two weeks ago, the Waldo Canyon Fire exploded over the Rampart Range ridge and started to eat its way down to the city of Colorado Springs. Before this unexpected tragedy, I had been following the fire news religiously. Evacuations had started and people were making their way to friends houses or to the local Red Cross Shelters. Those with pets had to take them to the humane society and weren't allowed to keep their furry family members with them. Since Charlotte is my first pet, I've never thought about what I would do in an emergency situation such as this. But the thought of dropping her off during a time of tragedy did not sit well with me. As the fire burned, other local shelters advertised that evacuees could bring their small animals with them. They talked about families needing to stick together, including pets. Anxiety can be high for dogs and cats and they want to stay with their humans. Charlotte can't even handle me walking out to the garage for 30 seconds, much less being dropped off and locked in her kennel for an unknown amount of days.



Don't leave me!

Thankfully,  the city of Colorado Springs is not being threatened by this fire anymore. While the damage to property is enourmous and heartbreaking, the loss of life was minimal by comparison. Over 100 pets were rescued and taken to the humane society and animals are still being reunited with their families. I have a new appreciation for those who would have taken all three of us in, had we been in an evacuation zone. But with a seven pound pup, I may have tried to sneak her in anyway.

For those of you would still like to help out the fire fighting effort in Colorado, check out http://www.wildfiretees.com/. This website is made up of local designers and marketers who are volunteering their time. All proceeds go to local organizations like Care & Share. You can also buy a t-shirt for a firefighter!

A letter to my Pup

Dear Charlotte,



Riding Together



When I saw your sweet little face for the first time I knew I was going to adopt you. I made Barry bring cash with us on our visit because the thought of not having the chance to take you home that day was already heartbreaking to me. You were so cute and tiny playing with your parents that evening. I didn't even flinch when your breeder told me your nickname was "Killer". I laugh about it now because I knew nothing about dogs, much less puppies. I didn't know I'd be up in the middle of the night taking you to the bathroom. I didn't know of your capcity to cry for two hours straight in your kennel. On day four, when we'd had a particularly hard night, I sat on the couch with you crying because I thought Barry would take you back. But he said to me, "When have we ever given up on anything?" I sat there all red eyed and snot-nosed and said, "Never. We've never given up on anything." Then I determined in my heart that no matter how hard it got or how much sleep I lost, I wouldn't freak out on you or take you back. You found a place deep in my heart and curled up in there. You like to burrow, so it's not surprising.



Riding in the Car





On her LoveSac thone



And then something amazing happened. Taking care of you became second nature. I can't remember not having you. I vaguely remember the quiet. You fit into my life. We play and walk a lot. You're not the greatest cuddler except when we're in the car and you lay in my lap. You're finicky when it comes to chews and treats. Sometimes you like it, other times you hide it and bring it out later. But you love to be around us, even if it's in the same room. I laugh when you lick my toes and I'm trying to teach you how to do eskimo kisses. You never come when I call you. In fact, you literally lay down and stretch your whole body out as if to say, "You come to me." But I love your little personality that needs to talk to me when I give you a command. I guess you're a little stubborn like me too. You love Barry and cry when he leaves the room. Yesterday you slept in front of the door while he napped on the other side. I don't blame you, I like to be around him as much as possible. You may be a dog, but you're my dog and a part of the family. I hope one day you'll be able to share us, but for now it's the three of us and it's perfect.



Love,

J



Asleep in her favorite corner



 







Lilly and the Etiquette of Poop

I don't know how the rivalry started, but I remember how it ended.

Late one night I took Charlotte out to pee. In the dark a black lab stealthily creeped up to us like a panther ready to pounce. I grabbed Charlotte and held her close. I was ready for an attack. This dog sniffed a little, pooped near my feet and took off. Her mom called out, "Don't worry, it's just Lilly."

Lilly lives across the street and walks around the neighborhood off leash. A lot. Without her owners. Big dog off leash around my little dog equals nervous owner!

Charlotte would lead us across the street to eliminate. Most of the time it was near the side of the road on no ones particular property. Other times it was at Lilly's house. One time she even dropped off a pine cone near a rock, so Lilly could see it from behind her fence. It felt mocking. Or at least that's how my husband and I would talk about it.

Way to go Charlotte. You really showed her! (And then I would tell myself to get a life.)

One day I took Charlotte out to pee and she led me to Lilly's house again. In the middle of a poop Lilly's mom came out.

"Are you letting her poop right there?"

Letting her? I didn't think I had a choice. A dog's gotta go when she goes.

"I'll clean it up." Ugh. Why did I say that? Lilly comes up to our yard which is no where near the street just to poop.

"It's just that we're trying to do something with this area." What? Grow grass? We live in the forest.

I walked Charlotte home and grabbed a plastic bag. I walked back over and picked up her poop. Lilly's mom started to back down.

"Oh, you don't have to do that. It's so small, it's really not a big deal."

"No, I understand," I said. "We're trying to do something with our yard too and Lilly walks up there to poop sometimes."

"Oh. I didn't know. I'll try to keep her from doing that."

Charlotte and I walked away. I felt bad. I've lived in this neighborhood nine years and the first time I talk to this neighbor is about our dog's poop. Nice.

I took Charlotte around the block to clear my head. I need to make this right. I don't want to be that neighbor that lets her dog poop anywhere and isn't friendly.

We made our way back to Lilly's house where my neighbors sat on their porch.

"Hey, I think we got off to a bad start talking about our dog's poop. I'm Julia and this Charlotte."

We must have talked for 15 minutes about our pups, work, and her husband's terminal illness. They're no longer just Lilly's parents. They have names and stories.

And I'm no longer imagining a rivalry. I also pick up  my dog's poop.

Worst Pets Ever

Guinea pig. Turtles. Fish. Silk worms.

What do these animals have in common?

They were my childhood pets. The guinea pig, specifically, was mine for a short period of time before I realized I was completely allergic to her. She was also really boring for a young girl. I watched her sit in her cage and ...well, that was it. I eventually gave her to a preschool class.

The other animals aren't worth talking about. The turtles were eaten by raccoons. The fish eventually had to be flushed. The soft silk worms turned into nasty, dusty moths and flew away.

Every member of my family is allergic to at least one real pet with fur. Cats. Dogs. Guinea pigs.

My mom would load me and my siblings up on Benadryl to prepare for sleepovers or even just a BBQ.

Better than a bunny

My best friend, Steph, practically grew up on a farm they had so many animals. I was in LOVE with her rabbit! But, Joey would not sit still long enough for a short cuddle. And then I had to wash my hands immediately after contact.

You can imagine my joyful, yet skeptical surprise, when I found out about hypoallergenic dogs. A dog that doesn't shed or cause sneezing, itching or watery eyes?! Where can I get such a creature? (This was before the internet.)

It wouldn't be until years later that I finally adopted little Charlotte. I'm not a dog person. So this has been interesting...