Are your pets afraid of storms?

You know, I think it varies as much as it does with children and adult humans, whether pets are afraid of thunderstorms. But our recent rash of severe weather got me to thinking about how different it is for special needs pets--especially those with physical disabilities--to cope with this common fear.

Winkie and Boo Kitty often cuddle on the deep sill of our stone farmhouse

As much of a weather weenie as I am, I'll admit that I'm often still frightened by really close or intense lightning, or especially by very loud thunder. I don't think it's at all silly that I see Winkie's one eye grow very large as he leaps down from the windowsill where he loves to lay and then skitters underneath the nearest piece of furniture. The same happens with Weaver, if things get really loud, and with Boo Kitty.

But they have something of an advantage over Idgie, who is completely blind. Not only can they see quick escape routes from the window, which must feel tremendously exposed to the horrors of the storm; they can also see the nearest point of refuge. On top of that, their hearing is average, so the thunder is simply loud and frightening. Whereas Idgie's hearing is so incredibly acute to begin with, that this sudden onslaught of booming decibels must be absolutely terrifying.

Idgie is a constant fixture at my open office windows. Here, she sits in the front.

I've learned to pay attention to the animal signs just as I do to the cloud signs when it comes to forecasting the weather. Ever since 1991, when the annoying clickety-clicking of our two black Labs' toenails on the kitchen linoleum ended up saving us by keeping me awake long enough to hear the tornado coming when we received no other warning, I've known that they can sense things before we do. The restlessness those dogs instinctively felt allowed us time to reach the basement before that damaging storm was upon us. And this summer, I've paid attention to Idgie's physical attitude on days when there's a severe weather threat.

For the past three weeks, when most of it has taken place, it's been so hot and sultry that we've had the air conditioning on constantly. That means no window-sitting for the kitties, and it really shows in their affect. By early this week, I really believe Winkie (who enjoys this the most) had actually become depressed. So I was thrilled when I woke yesterday to temps in the low 80s and reasonable humidity levels that allowed me to open up the house for a while.

Even when Weaver, our tuxedo boy, does manage to find a window spot,
he rarely gets the solace he prefers. Winkie loves his big bro and
will do what it takes to get as close as physically possible.

Within moments, every cat had found a place in an open window. Even Weaver, our older boy whose heavier weight usually keeps him pretty sedentary and less inclined to the kind of leaping it takes to make the window. Even he was glad for the respite from artificial air, and managed to heave himself up onto the hallway ledge.

But when the storms come during a time when we don't need the AC on, I notice a change in the kitty's behaviors. They become more alert, more restive, even as they relax in the windows. I notice that as I track the storms on radar and they move closer to our area, the kitties, one by one, abandon their posts in the windows. Since these are much-coveted spots, I know something's coming that may be dangerous. The only exception to this is if the coming storm spurs an unusual amount of activity at our bird feeders. Then, that show is simply too tempting to keep even storm-shy kitties away from a front-row view!

Probably because she's so much more my constant companion in the office, I particularly notice this with Idgie. I also note that as the surface winds shift, she's more likely to move from the front window to the side and back, since this is a sensory stimulus she can read. So I've come to be aware that when she spends more time in the side, or south, window, we're probably in for a more potent southerly storm, bringing heat and moisture up from the Gulf.

Idgie at the side window in my office. She knows something's on the way.

But all this gets me to thinking: What's it like for critters with impaired mobility when a storm strikes and they can't move away from windows by themselves? Not that they'd necessarily be IN the windows to begin with, but I think the standard anxiety response is to dive under the bed or other furniture. What if they can't do that? What do people do who can't be home with their special needs pets all day, the way I'm lucky enough to do? Do you pay attention to the forecast and anticipate this need?

I suppose this is the kind of musing only a truly weather-obsessed person would wonder about, but I'd love to hear from parents of special needs pets to hear what they have to say.

Meanwhile, let me leave you with this absolutely stunning "concert" depicting a thunderstorm. All done without any musical instruments or voice. Enjoy!

Woodson and We

John Grogan, author of Marley & Me

Most of you have heard of John Grogan. He's the author of the runaway (pun intended) bestseller, Marley & Me.

What you may not have heard is that he's now got a new yellow lab named Woodson. Turns out Grogan's a fellow Pennsylvanian (go, Keystone State!), and when he adopted Woodson, a 15-week-old ball of fur, from the set of the movie made from his book, the pup immediately loved his new surroundings.

Woodson

But there was a surprise in store for Grogan and his family. As he puts it, "What we did not know that day -- what no one knew, not the trainers or the producers or the breeders -- was that Woodson was, indeed, special. And not just because he had enjoyed a brief run as a movie star."

Turns out Woodson was a dog with a disability. Grogan goes on to explain that when he found out, "I called the breeders, not to complain, just to inform. They were mortified. 'Just bring him back,' one of the breeders said, 'and we'll swap him out for a new puppy, your pick of the next litter.' I have to admit the offer was tempting, like turning in a lemon automobile for a gleaming new model. But dogs are not commodities to be discarded when they break, and I assumed that if Woodson were returned, he would be euthanized."

You can read the whole story at Grogan's blog, but I wanted to post this introduction here, because it's a great stride forward for the special needs pet community that he recognizes this issue and has become such a strong champion of the concept that disabled animals are not trash to be thrown away. He even wrote about it in a piece for USA Today. Thanks, John!

Ivan - A Love Story

Every once in a while, Barb Techel over at Joyful Paws lets loose with one of her "Occasional Paws" feature stories. I just had to share this recent one about Ivan the Beagle, because it so perfectly embodies what we're about here at Almost Perfect Pets.

Those of you who've been following for a while might recognize Barb's name - we featured her blog a bit ago: You know, the one about Frankie, the Walk & Roll Dog. Frankie's another example of the absolute best that can be brought out of a difficult situation. Barb wrote about her wheeled dachsie in her own book, too!

You know, when I started this blog, I wondered how I was going to keep up with it among all my other obligations. But I've come to realize that I look forward to coming here and sharing with you all the beauty of what can happen when humans learn to look past the disabilities to the shining, pulsing vibe of pure love and, yes, joy that just emanates from special needs pets. It's such a balm against all the bad news that threatens to beat us all down each day, and I'm happy to be able to spread some of the good stuff around this place.

When I got the idea for Almost Perfect, I never dreamed how it would change my life. I just thought it was a neat idea for a book. But through this project, I've met some of the most incredible, dedicated, loving and just downright decent human beings I will ever know. And you know who you are. :)

Frankie, the face of inspiration

I feel truly blessed to have stumbled upon the wonderful community that has arisen around this topic. Barb was right on when she named her blog and her website "Joyful Paws." Thanks for sharing all the wonderful stories with us all, and for being part of the solution, Barb!

No More Homeless Pets

One of the most incredible groups working for the humane treatment of companion animals is Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah. You may be familiar with the organization through the TV show Dogtown on the National Geographic Channel. (If you're not, you don't know what you're missing!) Word Forge Books, our publishing house, is a member of Best Friends and supports the work of this incredible group of dedicated professionals and volunteers.

I especially like the organization because, unlike many rescue operations, not only does Best Friends NOT discriminate against special needs animals, it actually welcomes them. After all, Best Friends is what's known as a shelter of last resort, meaning they take the most difficult-to-place animals no one else wants and everyone else has given up on. (However, I want to make clear that not every person or group who sends animals to Best Friends wants to do so; often, they simply don't have the resources to deal with such demanding cases.)

Still, that means Best Friends often takes in disabled, neglected and abused pets...and that makes them some of our...best friends.

Photo ©2009 Best Friends

Recently, in the March/April 2009 issue of their magazine (a beautifully produced member benefit), Best Friends featured a story called Going the Extra Mile: Transporting pets out-of-state for adoption is a growing trend, in the "No More Homeless Pets" section. It's about the increasing movement to enable homeless pet adoption by transporting them from areas of high concentration with few adopters to areas where people looking to adopt are more plentiful but have fewer animals from which to choose. I think of it as the "bringing the mountain to Mohammed" approach, and it's just brilliant. I guess it's only become feasible recently to do such transport; otherwise, why didn't someone think of this before? It's such an obvious no-brainer!

Anyway, I'll leave the whole story for you to enjoy at their website, but I wanted to feature here some information from this article's sidebar. It's great stuff, very actionable on both an immediate and an extended basis, and it's something you can print out or bookmark to use later and to refer friends to, who seem interested in helping but don't know where to start:

How You Can Help
Here are just a few ways you can help transport animals to their forever homes:
• Find out which animal shelters and rescue groups are in your area. Ask around, do an Internet search or try the phone book. Most of the groups will need volunteers for various aspects of transporting animals, including scheduling volunteers and driving “legs” of a journey. Contact them.
• Help spread the word about transport needs. Social networking sites are loaded with animal lovers. Working with the shelter or rescue group, post messages on the Best Friends Network, Twitter.com, Facebook.com, LinkedIn.com, MySpace.com, Craigslist.org or online forums. Send text messages to your animal-loving friends by cell phone.
• Know who wants to help, and stay in touch. Many transport requests are urgent, so it’s important, in advance, to build a list of volunteers that includes basic contact information such as e-mail addresses and phone numbers. Keep e-mail alerts short and to the point, and write in all pertinent information, including necessary contact phone numbers and addresses and photos of animals needing transport.
• Provide temporary lodging or transportation. Rescuers often seek overnight foster homes for pets on the way to their destinations. Also, they may need someone to take them to and from a foster home or a veterinary clinic.
• Volunteer to drive or to be a passenger. You can also donate the use of your own van or SUV.
• Donate pet carriers, fluffy pads for carriers, pet food, and cash toward fuel costs.
• Walk the dogs before a trip or help load the vehicle.

See? So much of this is stuff you can do easily, on an irregular basis, or just when you have the time (I know you're busy). None of it is glamorous, showy work -- leave that to the celebrities -- but it's all necessary, and it's all appreciated by and tremendously helpful to those who spend most of their time doing this work on behalf of our fellow species.

So next time you're feeling overwhelmed by the apparent inability of one or two folks to do anything positive about the problem of unwanted pets, think again: There's lots you can do, and all of it matters. I'll leave you with the immortal wisdom of cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

Rock on, Marg.

Help for People With Special Needs Pets

Caring for pets with special needs does not have to be a burden. It can be a richly rewarding experience, as shown in our book Almost Perfect: Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them. But being the "parent" of pets with physical handicaps or other challenges does require a big heart, patience, and -- sometimes -- specialized knowledge.

The love, compassion and patience are up to you, but we'd like to share a great information and support resource for those considering adding a special needs pet to their families: SpecialNeedsPets.org.

This website s dedicated to providing helpful resources to help assist you with finding information that will help you care for your disabled pet. This includes pets with physical disabilities, chronic or terminal illnesses, who are recovering from a serious injury, has emotional or behavioral problems or is elderly and requiring at-home hospice care.

There are areas on the site that deal with veterinary care and how to find the right vet, species-specific concerns, pet advocacy, holistic health care and nutrition, hospice and euthanasia. There are support sections for caregivers and pet loss, a listing of recommended books, and even support groups and forums.

The knowledge contained on this site could mean the difference in a potential adoptive family believing they couldn't cope with a disabled pet, and deciding the extra effort would be worthwhile. Give it a look!