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I know the members of ZPI have thought about survival with family and/or friends, but have they took into consideration their own pets? Maybe, maybe not. This is written for people who haven't.
I own a 2 year-old dachshund and have put alot of thought into how to incorperate him in my survival plan. Food, water, excercise, amusement, hygeine, travel, and bathroom breaks all come into play. Iv'e made sure to keep a very high stock of dry dogfood, wet dogfood, and dog treats, as well as always having waterbottles handy if the taps were to ever stop working or become infected with the virus.
As far as excercise and amusment goes , toys will serve this purpose. Playing with your pet will keep them happy and their heart-rate high. I recommend alternating your toys weekly so they don't get bored from playing with the same toy. Also, try to keep your play quite so you don't attract any unwanted attention.
Bathroom breaks will probably serve the biggest dilemma.
I, personaly, plan putting a leash and muzzle on my dog, so he stays close to me and he can't bark. I'll then take him through my backdoor to my backyard, which is fenced, and let him use the bathroom there. Four bathroom breaks a day, 7am, 12am, 3pm, and 8pm. My dog is already in the schedule of going outside at these times. If your not comfortable with being risky and plan on staying inside at all times, I suggest letting your dog use the bathroom in the bathtub. If they have a number 1, rinse it down the drain. If they have a number 2, you can pick it up with a doggie bag or transfer it to the toilet. Sounds nasty, I know, but would you rather have them using the bathroom on your floors?
Hygeine is as simple as keeping your pet clean. In the case of dogs, a quick wash every few months should do. I recommend using dog shampoo, but whatever you have on hand should be fine. Cat's and most other animals keep themself clean.
For travel, you can chose to put your pet in a crate or not. It's all personal preference. When traveling with a pet, you should always have a "pet kit" handy. This includes food, water, toys, treats, doggie bags, hygeine products, leash, muzzle and what-not.
On a closing note, remember that pets have the same basic needs as humans. Try to embrace them in your survival plan as you would a dear family member or friend, because in most cases they are.
P.S. This is my first post just to let you know!
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Very well put together. Thank you for the nice read.
Also, thank you for bringing up a topic that was not really discussed all too well.
Keep up the good work.
"The tender fingers of admin are hovering over the ban button; it is our job to keep them there" - Holy Book of Mod
You have a very good point. I am glad you addressed it. I too plan for my pets in case disaster strikes. Please remember to also include first aid kits for your pets as well. I also recommend a doggy back pack for your dogs so that they can carry supplies and this can also double as minimal protection from attacks.
Ex.
Here you can find a sample list of what to includes in your pet's first aid kit.
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/dog_care/your_dogs_first-aid_kit.html
~* With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility *~
Great Ideas.
I just had to mention the fact that playing with your pet can also make you happy thus alleviating some of the pressure you will surely be facing. Keep up the good work.
"They drew first blood not me..." (Stallone in Rambo: First Blood)
I like the idea of the dog-pack.
My biggest con about pets, is not only do they themselves slow you down if you were to be on the move, but always the supplies they require would slow you down and take up space, so I like the idea that they carry it themselves.
Something small like a dachshund would be easier just be easier to carry in something like one of those chest packs though i think, rather then leashing them.
I would also probably just let there dropping stay where they land (outside of course) to be honest, or better yet save them and add them to your compost.
//Caitlin
Personaly, i have two very cat like (independent, aloof) cats. i would miss one of them, Spider, but not the other one Oliver. I know for a fact that they can hunt, based on seeing S. eating a bird and O. eating a rat. So, provided that we have the relationship between animals and Zombies from DOTD (remake) i don't imagine myself worrying too much.
And if i had a dog (not lap dog. they are canine cats) i would think the dog would be very useful in the Z-war
You are Awesome Latoia Girl!!!!
Ling Ling loves you!
Excellent first post. Keep up the good work.
Woah...Now that does not happen often.
"They drew first blood not me..." (Stallone in Rambo: First Blood)
........ I am however disappointed in this person's post.
"The tender fingers of admin are hovering over the ban button; it is our job to keep them there" - Holy Book of Mod
I like pets but disapprove of taking any extra measures to keep them around post Z-Day. My reasons will be mentioned in one of my several upcoming articles.
"It doesn't matter if you're smart, dumb, ugly, pretty... it's all the same once yer dead... and a corpse can't laugh." - silent Hill 2
Eliot - Site Admin agrees;
"Yendor makes an interesting point."