I wouldn't leave my dog.

I think the problem of relocating folks so far away is significant. I also think the problem of "them" not smart enought to put a message system and identidy system in place is only second to not getting food and water to Superdome.

They are children.

:-(

DemEx

I recently lost my wonderful doggie, who had been my friend, companion and source of unconditional love for 13 years. I had hoped to outlive her 'cause I knew what a crushing blow it would be to lose her. And it was. I still cry and dream of her. She quietly slipped away one morning, as if she knew it would totally break my heart if I had to make the decision to put her down. There is no way I would have left her anywhere in any circumstance. I hate that evacuees in NO were being required to leave their pets behind. What a cruel and evil thing to do, IMHO! I know the circumstances were extraordinarily awful and people were lucky to escape with their lives, but having gotten to the point where they could evacuate and being told "no pets" is just unforgiveable! I just heard on the news that's been changed, so I am greatly relieved.

Tired Old Cynic

I recently lost my wonderful doggie, who had been my friend, companion and source of unconditional love for 13 years. I had hoped to outlive her 'cause I knew what a crushing blow it would be to lose her. And it was. I still cry and dream of her. She quietly slipped away one morning, as if she knew it would totally break my heart if I had to make the decision to put her down. There is no way I would have left her anywhere in any circumstance. I hate that evacuees in NO were being required to leave their pets behind. What a cruel and evil thing to do, IMHO! I know the circumstances were extraordinarily awful and people were lucky to escape with their lives, but having gotten to the point where they could evacuate and being told "no pets" is just unforgiveable! I just heard on the news that's been changed, so I am greatly relieved.

Tired Old Cynic

Not a chance. She's a rescue and she's already been dumped once at a local shelter. I'd never abandon her. Never.

:shrug:

I could leave a pet behind. I'd hate it and cry. I would hope it would somehow survive and we'd be reunited.

Sometimes hard choices have to be made and sadly, this hurricane and the aftermath makes us face them.

Of course I am lucky enough that I would have gotten them into the car and been out of there. I could not leave them.

most people are, at least to me. I'd rather be dead than live with the knowledge that I left them, so dependent on me, to die abandoned. No way, no how.

And thats if their dog doesn't eat them first.

Don

I am sure millions across this country would be willing to adopt these abandoned pets if somebody would coordinate the efforts.

I wouldn't leave her but I do have two cats and I certainly wouldn't leave them. I mean come on, how is it these people can't see that asking most people to leave their companion animals behind would be like asking them to leave a child behind.

They've lost everything but their lives and we expect them to leave their companion animals. Sorry, just the clothes on your back ma'am.

My heart is breaking for all the suffering animals, along with the humans of course, in the wake of this catastrophe. :cry:

If I left them behind to die I'd never forgive myself - I'd be better off dead.

I've been through about 3 hurricanes and about 9 hurricane warnings and until they have a shelter that will take me and all my pets - I'm staying.

separated from pets probably didn't mean to leave them. They might have been separated in a rescue or because of the storm, but there's no way I'd let them take me w/o my dog.

I was stuck in the blizzard of '78, alone, in a mobile home, with my cat. No water, no heat, no electricity. The only thing that worked was my phone and a wind up alarm clock. I survived on canned food.

Six days later, the NG knocked on my door, telling me to evacuate. I yelled at them at full volume because they weren't there sooner - the NG armory was 1/2 mile down the road from me. Then they told me I couldn't take my cat. I told them I couldn't leave my cat, but thanks anyway.

They did chop out 4" of ice from around the tires on my car, so I could leave when the roads were open.

I always tell her "I will always come back for you". Then when I get home I tell her "See, I came back, I will always come back".

May that never turn into a broken promise.

and you know what -- most people who work in rescue know this.

My husband is a retired volunteer fire chief -- and he and his EMTs and firefighters knew that one of their jobs was to calm the victims of a fire or vehicle accident and let them know that their pets were taken care of. ONCE concern for the pets was something they didn't have to worry about people allowed themselves to be helped.

Most are pet owners themselves -- as is my husband.

For many people pets are FAMILY MEMBERS.

This is human nature -- in fact there is a lot of evidence that dogs domesticated humans.

Also stripping people of their personal items (such as photos etc) before they could board the busses was cruel and uncivilized.

In fact I would say a whole lot of the treatment of the Katrina victims was UNCIVILIZED.

And if YOU don't understand this and want to criticize someone who doesn't want to leave their furkid behind -- well just bite me. (and go to **** as well).