What would you do when ordered to evacuate your home? With a category five hurricane looming, all Susan could think of was saving
her personal petting zoo: four cats, two dogs, two birds and four fish. After the last frightening hurricane, her family vowed to never ride through one again.
“We knew that we might return to nothing so we packed important papers, clothes, computers, chargers, laptops, and pet harnesses, cages, dishes, pet food and water,” said Susan. “It was difficult fitting possessions and pets in carriers into our small Volkswagen and Ford Fiesta.
At 5 a.m. on
Saturday, we drove north following thousands of families. Heading south, we saw caravans of FEMA and utility vehicles on a vacant freeway. The entire state of Florida was under threat, so no hotel rooms were available. The seven-hour drive took 10 hours.
Our pets seemed to understand the emergency; but our rescue dog, Gracie, had to have homeopaths for stress and car sickness. Our 20-year-old cat complained but soon settled down. They sensed our terror and did very well.
It was a tough situation for us all.
We made stops so the animals could relieve themselves. We arrived to a filthy hotel, the only one available, and our pets were grateful to be out of their carriers.
Surprisingly, in the cramped room, no one fought, even though they spit or hit each other at home. They were all on their best behavior. They would not eat at first, taking a while to settle down.
We were prepared with enough
animal food, but not human food. We left for home the following Tuesday. Gas stations didn’t have gas or electricity and 90% of the state was closed. We did not see anything open the entire way back and barely made it home. Our little cars with great gas mileage paid off or we would have been stuck for days until the gas stations reopened.”
Susan’s family had no idea if they had a home to return to, but as they pulled into their neighborhood they all began crying. Two
tire tracks of debris five feet high lined their road, but miraculously their home was intact.
They and their pets were thrilled to be home, but for everyones’ safety they checked for blown-in windows before unloading their pets. Miraculously everything was intact! Amazingly, their power came on ½ hour before they arrived home so their much needed air conditioner was working.
The cats emerged from 10 hours in their carriers and explored every inch
of the house. Gracie “ran rips in the back yard” - thrilled to be in her yard again, and their other dog, Echo, walked in the house and flopped on the floor as if hugging the linoleum.
“CJ our cockatiel entertained us by singing the entire drive - each way! I think my hearing is now impaired because of his volume!” laughs Susan. “The fish were so happy, that they were speechless at being home
again!”