Hello everyone,
 
I have been reading all of the posts regarding emergency planning and had
this thought to share.  What if there were some kind of database started
that would allow disaster/emergency victims a resource as to who on this
list might be willing to "open their doors" so to speak for assistance to
these people.  Let me explain:
 
If anyone had come into an emergency where they needed to leave their
current living situation due to disaster and was traveling to get to family
members or friends, I would offer my home as a "rest stop".  Now I know
what some of you are thinking....I would not open my home and subject my
family or pets to strangers, I would consider the situation and person very
carefully.  Sometimes when people are forced out of their homes immediately
due to fires, tornadoes, flooding, etc.  they have limited options.  I have
been in that kind of situation before and know what it is like when you are
forced out of your home so quickly and lost many items yourself and for
your pets and are left with limited monetary resources to feed your pets
and plus the expenses to travel to family or friends a long distance.  For
someone traveling to their destination, some of the following could make
all the difference in the world to them.  Now, i'm not saying that we
should go opening our doors to just anyone, or that they would have to stay
in your home overnight but think of what even the smallest guesture could
provide, for example: for the pets: fresh water, t-shirts/blankets for
bedding, helping in getting food, litter or treats that the pets are used
to; and for the humans: maybe a meal, shower, phone to use or place to get
some rest really could make a difference to someone who lost everything and
managed to just get themselves and furry family out in a hurry.
 
Imagine if you were traveling cross-country to a family or friends house
after your house burnt down or was destroyed in a hurricane, etc.  and you
lost not only your belongings, but your pet's belongings as well.  Money to
stay in hotels, gas, food, etc.  seems to dwindle real fast plus, only a
handful of hotels allow pets.  (I know some people have back-up plans and
are prepared, but some are not, some do not have much of a savings to fall
back on in case of a disaster).  Look at the program - Ferrets Across
America....there are so many caring individuals who are willing to drive
some distance to get a fuzzy to their new home (understand there is
criteria involved).  This is similar in a way, except you would be offering
assistance to someone who might be in the area or traveling through.  I
know there are many non-profit organizations across the nation that involve
disaster relief to individuals/families when this sort of thing happens,
but they usually are busy to the point of exhaustion in these types of
situations, and I know that many of you already donate to these types of
organizations when catastrophe strikes (like hurricane Floyd).  But the
idea of another fellow FML'rs company might be a bit refreshing since
we usually can relate to one another.  Just a thought, let me know your
ideas.  :-)
 
Warm fuzzy hugs,
Tracy & her fuzzies
Tango, Chico, Roo, Pepe' and Spunky
[Posted in FML issue 2818]