By Jane Saeman
 Before Hurricane Katrina, there was no law that said that all pets and service animals needed to be evacuated, rescued, and sheltered during an emergency or disaster. When the deadly storm hit the state of Louisiana, an estimated of 600,000 animals were left behind, deserted, and thousands died from drowning, starvation, and sickness.
The devastating affect of this storm has prompted the government, both local and federal, to either change their policies or add new ones to include the safety of these pets and service animals. In addition, different agencies are also teaming up with the government and local animal rescues that will protect our pets in times of disasters.
Our pets depend on us for their safety and survival. As pet owners, we have the obligation to know what to do in case a disaster strikes, which can occur at a moment's notice. Whether they are natural disasters such as fires, storms and floods, or man-made disasters such as terrorist attacks, the best way to beat it and come out it safe is through proper planning.
Having a good
plan of action guarantees the safety and survival of you, your family, and your dogs.
The best time to think about the safety of your dog is before a disaster strikes. Proper planning and preparation is the key to keeping your dog safe and secured during this frightening time. Keep in mind the following safety measures:
1. Crate train your dog. In case of an emergency or disaster, you should be able to put your dog in the crate as soon as possible and without difficulty.
2. You may have to ask a neighbor to help you with the evacuation, especially if you have more than one pet.
3. Plan ahead of time. If you are away from your home when disaster strikes, designate someone who can go to your house as soon as possible to rescue your dogs.
4. Know ahead of time where you are taking your dog, during and after the disaster, until you can safely go back to your home.
5. Leave your house as soon as you receive the notice to evacuate. Never wait until the last minute.
6. Even if the disaster does not strike, evacuation is still necessary until you are absolutely sure that you and your pets are going to be safe.
7. Keep a disaster supply kit for your dog in a convenient location in the house. Among these important items be sure to include food and water (at least 3 days supply for each pet), a first aid kit, crate, can opener, leashes and harnesses, and newspaper or potty pads.
8. Finally, make sure that your dog wears an ID tag with a current phone number securely fastened to his collar. This number should be to a cell phone that you carry with you at all times.
Jane Saeman loves dogs and strives to keep other dog lovers informed.
A whole world awaits other dog lovers.
Find out how cute the dog in your life is at my website which is at http://www.PicturesOfMyDogs.com How To Take Care Of A Blind Dog
By Steve Searls
 Are you one of those people who have a dog with impaired eye sight? If yes, you probably know that taking care of a blind dog is not as easy as caring for the sighted dog.
Your blind dog will bump into things in its path, but gradually will learn the layout of your house, just the way blind people do. However, if you change or shift your furniture, they will again have difficulty in walking and will stumble around for a while. So you have to be very careful when making any interior changes.
At the same time, it is also very important for you to ensure that you keep the path for your dog clear and make sure that everything is picked up and kept away.
Apart from your house, you also need to keep your yard clear, as the dog is likely to wander in your yard. After all, that is his playground. The lawn mower should be put away and the chairs must be rearranged in a position that would not cause any injury to your dog.
If your house has a pool, make sure that it is fenced, as pools could also be dangerous for blind dogs, especially for the pups. This is very important because even if the dog knows how to swim, he may not be able to locate the stairs to get out of the pool. Due to exhaustion, he may eventually drown and die.
If your house has a staircase without the railings, it may be all the more dangerous and can result in severe injury to your dog due to a fall from a height. You must put something up along the bottom portion of the railing to avoid a tragic situation. You may find it a little inconvenient, but the very fact that you love your dog so much will make everything easier for you.
It is not too difficult to keep a blind dog. All you need is a little planning, backed up by some extra patience. Fencing off a pool, leaving the furniture in place, and always keeping walkways clear of toys are the things you can do. If you follow these suggestions, you will notice that your blind dog is not very different from any other dog in your neighborhood.
Different reasons are responsible for blindness in dogs. Some cannot be treated. However, there are many cases in which you may be able to give the gift of sight to your blind dog. Of course, you will need a good amount of money for those surgeries and treatments. Often, due to financial constraints or due to some other reason, people opt to let their dog live with its blindness, but take very good care of it.
One very important thing to understand and remember is that unlike humans who do not like to live with their disabilities, dogs are happy to live their lives despite any physical limitations that they may have.
Your dog is your family member and it deserves all the love and care that you can offer. Besides, it is not all that difficult to take care of your blind dog.
You've decided it's time to start training your dog. Now what? Obviously you should start at the beginning, with some dog training basics for your pet.
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