Dog Crates something to think about....

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

We all know the typical reasons as to why we should crate our dogs, but if there was a natural diaster in your area of where you live, could you use a crate to save your dogs life? Some of you may think this will never happen where you are, but it could. I see a lot of people on here post they don't use crates anymore, and that's fine, it's always your choice, I use an open crate with my girls all the time, unless I'm away, but if something where to happen and they needed to be crated for long periods of time, like from the fires in CA. or earthquakes, or tornado's...or floods from hurricanes..have you considered what this will do to your dog's when all of a sudden they are confronted with using a crate again. We had an apartment fire where we lived and one of the neighbors dogs could not be crated because it totally spased out their dog, they had to borad the dog at a kennel, this was costly to the owner which was also NON refundable with their insurance. Shelters set up for diasters are now accepting pets, and it's always great to be able to keep your pet with you in these times, and this is where crate training can be a valuable tool....thought's ...comments...

[Paula]

I agree. Although we don't use our crates on a daily basis we do keep up the crate training in case of emergency. I would hate for either of my dogs to feel more distressed than need be in that type of a situation. I find that crating them once a week or so while I do errands seems to be sufficient. We do leave the doors open all of the time and sometimes they choose to nap in the crate. Not often though! ;-)

[Tammy & Gracie]

We use a crate occasionally during the day and every night for sleeping. Last spring, during tornado warnings in my area, we moved the crate to our safe spot and I corralled all the pets in one to containg them in case of the worst scenerio. Luckily it was just an exercise in that case but you never know.

[Karen & Lucy]

I used to keep Lucy's crate out all the time, with the door open, too. She loves her crate, but it is sooooo big and takes up alot of room. I never use it anymore to keep her in it when we go away, so I decided to take it down. I do use it though when I am having family dinners etc. because she still will sit with her head on your's or anyone that is eating lap. She doesn't mind it at all. It is a good idea and if it came to an emergency or disaster she would be in it.

[Janie]

In an emergency mine to would be in their crate. I put crates in the mud/play room with the doors open that way they can go in if they want to.

[sandy b]

Max sleeps in a crate but lately has been sleeping in our bed. But I'll always keep crates around. Several years ago 2004 to be exact we had to evacuate because of a hurricane. At that time we had a very small dog and a cat and I also took 2 other cats that belonged to a friend who was away. So we had 4 crates in our car!! But I'm so thankful we had them - can't imagine 3 cats and a yorky running around in our car!! At that time no shelters would accept pets and only a few hotels but a lot has changed since then.

[Tammy & Gracie]

Funny thing. I wrote a post a day ago, right before the heavens opened up and we had tornadoes and monstrous straight line winds. All is well though, we threw the dogs in the crate in the safe hall and waited it out. All is well, no damage other than limbs down in the yard. And oh yeah, we are now camped out in a hotel because it may be so long before the electricity is repaired. At least we have air conditioning and a familiar crate that will comfort Gracie when it is time to sleep tonight! . Two other interesting facts
Gracie was very nervous preceeding this storm. It was like her nose was attached to my calf as I was preparing the house, looking for candles, etc. I just sort of ignored her but let her follow me. As soon as the storm slowed down she returned to normal. I guess they just "know".
And now, she is really unsure about the elevator in the hotel. She is not terrifired now that we've been up and down several times but she is funny to watch kind of planting her feet firmly on that floor that seems to move!

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Wow Tammy and Gracie, glad to hear your family is safe, and hope you get electricity soon so you can return home. It's really scarry and for someone like me, we rarely get a tornado in this part of PA. Last September before I had Honey, Hannah and I and my Sister went through a tornado for the first time in Allentown PA. We had just finished up cleaning, and went grocery shopping. I never seen anything like it, and it took out parts of the High School I went to, along with some house dammages and property. In fact they still are repairing parts of the High School that got damaged. We were lucky, but I often wondered watching the weather channel, and seeing all the flooding and diasters what would some do with their animals. God Bless and stay safe...Denise HannahNHoney