Emergency Preparedness: Tornado Season

"Storm Clouds"
(C) Allen Pearson

Emergency Preparedness is an important topic year round.  But, here in the early part of the spring season, it’s barkingly necessary to write about it.

Why?  It seems spring is the worst time for storms that are harder to predict or to prepare for tornadoes.   In the summer to late fall, there are hurricanes which you should prepare for, however,  you usually have more time to prepare- not the last minute or last second "surprise I'm here" act like you have with tornadoes. 

 

My human and I have never been directly in a tornado.  We have been through “Tornado Watches” or “Tornado Warnings.”  Hopefully that will be all we have to worry about but we've prepared for the worst, as a just in case. 

• A “Tornado Watch” means conditions are right for a tornado in the watch area.  
• A “Tornado warning” means a tornado has been spotted in the warned area and you should put your emergency plans in action. 

"Storm!!"(C) Allen Pearson

At home, our emergency plan of action for a tornado is to head for the basement or the hall bathroom.  I can’t make myself go down the stairs to the basement so we use alternative is to head to the hall bathroom since it is the innermost room of our house and curl up together.  Despite my stubbornness, my humans refuse to leave me upstairs alone so we head to the hall bathroom during a Tornado Warning.

I suggest that you practice your Tornado Emergency Plan a few times each winter before the spring season begins.  

If we are in the car when a tornado warning is announced on the radio or a Tornado hits, now this depends on whether it’s an actual tornado or a warning for one as well as the localities.   And, our distance from home.  This is where common sense and listening to the weather will come into play!!  If we cannot get home safely, Dad will put the leash on me, grab the folder about me and head to the nearest shelter and hide.  Dad will hold on to me for dear life and I will hold onto him for dear life.

What is this folder about me?  The folder contains a copy of my vaccination record, a data sheet which lists everything you could ever want to know about me in an emergency, and several pictures of me.  He keeps one in his car, mom’s car, and the emergency bag we bought from Doggy Baggage.

The Doggy Baggage?  It comes in handy for any and all emergencies.  It’s great for packing all of the items you would need should you have to evacuate your home due to an emergency.  It’s difficult to prepare for a tornado since seconds count and those few seconds need to be spent getting to a safe place which makes it hard for humans to grab anything but me. 

It’s urgent that your human has put a dog tag with your information on it on you or have you micro-chipped.  And, you could have your emergency information folder in the Doggy Baggage!

A Bow Wow Luau, Hawaiian-themed Doggie Yappy Hour

My friend Patrick Cole who gets to work with animals at the Animal Welfare
League of Alexandria sent me an email with info. I have to share with you.  This sounds like a lot of Barks! Yaps!! AND PAWS!!!!!

The Canine Wingman Company is sponsoring the inaugural Bow Wow Luau, a Hawaiian-themed Doggie Yappy Hour at Hotel Monaco Alexandria. The event will raise funds for the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) and the homeless animals in their care at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter.

Here's the dog-friendly event info:

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Bow Wow Luau

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  (weather permitting)

Hotel Monaco Alexandria courtyard

480 King Street

Alexandria, VA 22304

The Bow Wow Luau includes a costume contest for dogs and their human companions, drink specials courtesy of Jackson 20, photo opportunities, door prizes, and much more.

Leis will be sold for $5, or 3 for $10, and complimentary sunglasses and other door prizes will be given to all guests and their dogs. 

The Canine Wingman Company will sponsor a photo booth, where guests and their dogs can have pictures taken in front of an island backdrop with their personal cameras.

Admission to the Bow Wow Luau is free of charge

Hotel Monaco Alexandria, a pet-friendly hotel, has a long history of hosting Doggy Yappy Hours, which feature treats for dogs and the Jackson 20 bar menu for adults. To welcome the warmer weather, the Canine Wingman Company is transforming this popular event into the Bow Wow Luau. The Luau includes a costume contest, with prizes awarded to the Best Dressed Dogs and the Best Costume Combination of dog and human. Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts, and traditional island attire are all encouraged. Guests can also participate in a 50/50 raffle to support the AWLA.

“The League is thrilled to be part of the Bow Wow Luau,” says Patrick Cole, Director of Communications and Outreach for the AWLA. “Not only is this a festive way to celebrate our canine companions, it is a chance for animal lovers to help the AWLA’s adoptable dogs find great homes so they might be able to attend an event like this in the near future.”

 Adoptable dogs from the AWLA will be present with League representatives  available to discuss other ways to support Alexandria’s homeless animals.

Friday's Friend - PetConnect Rescue (On Saturday)

No, I'm not mixed up, lost or confused- my human went to BlogPaws Conference and I didn't get to finish my Friday's Friends.  Although I really miss him, I'm glad he got to go to BlogPaws to learn about blogging! You should see his blog, or should I say, read it!!  Anyway, I digress- "Cat Lady" has brought me a new arrival at PetConnect Rescue and we'd like you to meet him!

Please meet my new friend Bill!

"Bill"
Used by Permission of PetConnect Rescue

Bill is approximately 6 months old. He was a frightened stray as he was rescued as a baby which makes him initially timid around people! Once he know he can trust you, he's really affectionate dude!!

If he wants more attention, Bill likes to sit up on my back legs and butt my head against my humans' hands until they scratch me between the ears.

Bill is a sweet guy. He has rich jet black fur with a white flash on my chest and on my belly!

Bill would be happiest in a quiet home without young children, where he can learn to love my new family at my own pace. Bill is a healthy guy, neutered, and had all his shots. Bill would love to meet you!

If you would like more information please visit, here and fill out our online application. Someone from PetConnect Rescue will contact you.

"Bill"
Used by Permission of PetConnect Rescue

Thank you to PetConnect Rescue for supplying information for Friday's Friend. 

Friday's Friend - Ambassador Pit Bulls

I hope you've had a great week and I know you are happy the weekend is almost here.  

One of my friends from Ambassador Pit Bulls asked me to introduce to you a buddy looking for his "Forever Home!"

"Mickey"
Used by Permission of
Ambassador Pit Bulls and
Dirty Paws Photography

If you would love you wake up to a smiling, wiggling, bundle of happiness and hilariousness every day, Mickey is the dog for you!!

He's an awesome, laid back dog and is such a happy boy he's even been caught him sleep wagging. His manners are great, totally house trained, and gets along well with other dogs. 

Mickey would greatly benefit from having a canine companion with him in his "Forever Home."  If he's the only pet, he needs to have the exercise and attention that he desires, and also a doggie playmate that he can romp with at least once a week. Also, Mickey is great with children.

Mickey is quite the smarty pants and already knows "sit", "down", and "shake". He loves to lean into you for you to pet him and also flops on his back for belly rubs. 

Mickey is a little independent at first, but once he takes some time to get to know you, he's your best pal! His smile is contagious and he is sure to brighten your day!

If you would like adoption or other information about Mickey, please contact the Ambassador Pit Bulls.

"Mickey"
Used by Permission of
Ambassador Pit Bulls and
Dirty Paws Photography

Thank you to Ambassador Pit Bulls and Dirty Paws Photography for supplying information for Friday's Friend.  

BlogPaws 2013

"ME!!"
(C) Allen Pearson

Well, here we go.   The moment I have been dreading since last November.  Though I had hoped something would change, it didn’t work out.  Am I depressing today?  It’s because I am sad.

I realize that I can’t always have my way.  Yes, believe it or not, I understand that but PLEASE don’t tell my human as he doesn’t know that I know, you know?  And, you’ll mess it up for me.

My human is heading to BlogPaws in Tysons Corner, VA later today.  Since it isn’t far from us, I was hoping to attend.   Barkingly disappointed and pawed to no end, I am not going to get to go.  And, though I understand, I am still very sad.

Since my human will be photographing the event and attending workshops, that makes it a bit difficult for me to go- he figures I’ll want to wonder around since I am a very active dog- sitting for hours isn't my top skill- laying next to my human for hours getting my belly rubbed is a different story. 

I was working on my sitting and laying for hours skills when I saw pictures of guinea pigs, ferrets, hamsters and bunnies on the website as pets who might be attending- when I licked my chops and started drooling- that did it.  Well, I am part hound and it shows sometimes!

So, my human will go in my place and learn, I hope- you know him, some things we can use to our my blog.  RUFF!!!!!!

My Mom human might drop me by the event on Saturday for awhile if it works out- that would be so pawsome!

I wish everyone attending BlogPaws a great time and congratulations to all of those who receive recognition and awards!!  PAWS TO YOU!!!!!!!

  

Do You Allow Your Dog to Sleep in Your Bed?

"Napping"
(C) Allen Pearson

On one of the social media sites, please don't tell my human I've been to one, the question keeps coming up, "Do you allow your dog to sleep in your bed!"  

The answer is "YES!! They do!!"

I would like to request that you "STOP!!!!!! Asking the question!! I don't want my human to get any ideas!!"

Thank you and have a pawsomely great day!

National Pet Month!

"Me!"
(C) Allen Pearson

The purpose of National Pet Month is to let you know how barkingly great and pawsome it is to have a pet, to have that special someone in your life, to have someone greet you when you come home –even if you just went to the mailbox, to have someone bounce head over heels just seeing your face, to have someone be security guard for your property, to have someone to celebrate the special days with, to have someone to pet during times of stress, to have someone to help you lower your blood pressure, to have someone around during times of grieving a loss, to have someone to encourage you to exercise, to have someone to live for, to have someone to take you on those long walks to watch the sunset, to have someone to grow old with, to have someone to do homework with, to have someone to watch the sunrise, to have someone to share those long lonely hours while waiting for the news to come, to have someone to cook for, to have someone when doing household chores, to have someone to quietly share those “not feeling so good” moments that come along,  to have 

"Precious Kitty"
(C) Allen Pearson

someone to help reduce your chances of a heart attack, to have someone to do yard chores with, someone to nap on the deck in the backyard with, someone to read the bestseller with, to have someone to nap with..........   

Got it?

Ooops.  Sorry for the tangent.  What was I going to write about, oh yeah…. Well, I think you've gotten the idea-  consider adopting your pet from a local animal rescue or shelter.   Of course, I’m taken, but am sure you can find a pet that is almost or, er, nearly like me!   

And, I want to recognize all the rescue organizations and shelters whose volunteers and employees do such a great job with caring for the animals assigned to them!

Pets make your life so much more exciting and fun- consider getting one soon. 

"Roscoe"
(C) Allen Pearson

National Pet Month is celebrated in the USA during the month of May and in April in the U.K.