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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | AUGUST 2018 53 We live in an area that is susceptible to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and wildfires or even a residential fire. Although we have emergency plans for humans, we need to also make emergency plans for our canine pets. News reports suggest that both the instances and severity of natural disasters are on the rise. While many companion news pieces have focused on helping people prepare for the arrival and impact of natural disasters, less attention has been spent helping people successfully negotiate them with their companion animals. Imminent disasters often lack adequate forewarnings, leaving people panicked and surprised. Fortunately, prior preparation greatly increases the likelihood that both owners and their pets can successfully withstand a natural disaster. Encounters with natural disasters are nearly impossible to avoid. Preparing for emergencies helps empower owners to successfully manage them. While planning for them will not minimize the forces of nature, it will greatly increase owners' and pets' chances for survival. It is better to plan ahead than to try to provide for our pets at the last minute when we could be under considerable stress to try to "think of everything." Here is a checklist of things to consider in advance to make an Emergency Preparedness kit for your canine. • Sterile bottled water • Food, three to seven days worth • One bowl for food and water • Sleeping crate or carrier • Leash and/or harness • Identification tags – name, telephone number, and local license • Medications • Veterinarian records including proof of current vaccinations, particularly rabies. • At least one identifying picture (can be on your smartphone) • Several pet waste bags • One small flashlight with fresh batteries • List of pet friendly hotels • Waterproof bag to store the items listed above Most importantly, pet owners should also make agreements and arrangements with trusted people, preferably neighbors, due to proximity, to evacuate their pets in case owners are not home at the time of the disaster. Pack walks, all dogs are welcome and we practice techniques to calm barking dogs. On Saturdays at 8 am, we meet in front of the Lodge building. On Wednesdays, we meet at 7 pm at the Summit parking lot. Please, no retractable leashes. Dog Owners Group, Patrick and his dog, Ricky Ricardo: dog_ owners@yahoo.com. ~ Patrick Gerety D.O.G. Tails & Trails - All Pets See a loose dog? Do NOT chase! This is the absolute worst thing we could do. Our good intentions can have some serious ill effects, so for the safety of all involved, it's important we fight this instinct. It's very scary for dogs to be chased by humans; they simply don't understand we are there to help. Rather, they sense danger and will run faster and harder to get away. This will cause them to get exhausted, dehydrated and weaker quicker. With our summer temperatures and lack of nourishing resources on the streets, we are unintentionally making their situation worse; perhaps even fatal. There is also a huge risk they will run into the streets to be injured or killed by a car. In our exuberance to get them to safety, we humans run the very same risk. NEVER put yourself at risk to secure an animal! The Tails and Trails Committee ask that the following steps be taken to ensure the best outcome for all involved. Please have a description and location of the dog and a picture if possible. 1. Call Animal Control at 769-8500 2. Call The Lodge at 769-6358 a. Owners who reported their dog missing would be notified. b. Tails and Trails Committee will be contacted to assist as needed. 3. Post on Four Seasons Dog Facebook page for extra visibility. 4. Post on Nextdoor App for a wider audience as the dog may not be from our neighborhood. To further assist, if you so choose, the following are techniques professionals advise using. Although not foolproof, as every dog reacts differently (especially if they are in survival mode), at the very least we have not created more stress on an already stressed dog. Patience is the key! • Lie down –a dog will get curious and often come back to see if you are okay or to see what you are doing. • Sit down with your back or side to the dog and wait –you appear less threatening and they are more likely to approach. • Open a car door and ask if they want to go for a ride – many a dog will hop into a car because they have associated the car with good things. • Food – a few yummy morsels strategically placed can assist in securing the dog. We thank you for helping the fur babies in our community get safely home. Our next meeting will be Aug. 22 at 7 pm, RCN3. To learn more about Tails & Trails and our mission, contact us at fsbtailsandtails@ gmail.com. ~ Toni Adams EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR CANINES

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