hurricanes/doggies

Heh heh, OK I'm beginning to get a complex posting on this board 🙂

I showered, put on deodorant, brushed my teeth and gargled. Perhaps I'm a bit more approachable now.

By "...he never goes inside", I meant he never does his business inside.

I didn't ride one out and never actually thought about your question....I guess until the storm builds you just let him out. If you're that concerned about it, keep some bags of sand and plastic bags around. I'd guess during a hurricane that where the dog poops is probably one of the lesser concerns! 🙂

I have not been through a big one, but the closest we have come is Francis in 2004. We bunkered down in the downstairs studio with all the animals. When the pooches had to go they were on leashes. They were not interested in hanging out. They were as nervous (if not more) as us. You should have some extra bags of food for him wherever you are storing your food and goods.

Thanks Becky R and Onika! If not for you both, I might go back to lurker status rather than participant LOL

The poop is easy enough to clean up if I can convince him that it's OK to do it in the house. I was thinking more about the pee. Again, he's a pretty big boy.

How big was Francis here, Onika? I imagine that when the winds reach a certain speed that it won't be safe for man or beast to go for a walk.

Up to what wind speeds do you folks go out and brave the elements? When is it time to hunker down?

We went through a big one on PR, we could tell by the noise when it was time to "bunker in". Trust me, you don't want to go out when it starts screaming on the other side of the door. The dogs are uncomfortable just like everyone else.
The large tray of dirt (or pile on a tarp) in a corner and plastic bags is the best idea I have heard - stacks of newspapers can be useful too. They will pee when they can't hold it anymore - same with the poo.
Just hope and pray that you don't have a dog with a nervous tummy - aaaaakkkkk!

My dog would not go in the house. She understands and will hold it in until it's time. At least that's what she did during Marilyn!

RL

Aussie, I live in S. Florida presently and in the last few years we've had more than our share of big storms/hurricanes. We have two large dogs, 1 about 50lbs and the other about 110lbs. During storms they go out in the back yard to do their business as long as wind permits...and let me tell you, they do their business quickly. They don't' want to be out in the craziness anymore than we do 🙂 In all the storms the bathroom issue just has never been an issue. The only time we've had concern is post storm...downed eclectic lines and that type of thing.

Thats to funny what wind speed will you go out in. LOL

Heh heh, I'm glad you found the question amusing, aschultz. What may be even more amusing to you is that I'm actually serious!

I LOVE storms! I've been out in 65+ MPH winds (about as high as I've seen them in VA) and found it totally exhilarating! That may not sound like a high wind speed to you but 40 and 50 foot oak trees start rockin'. rollin', and comin' apart at those kinda speeds. I have every intention of standing on my porch when winds reach hurricane force. The question is, from my perspective, at what speed will a palm frond or mango kill you? LOL

Just be sure to duck those flying coconuts

Never had a dog, but lots of people here with boats have this same dilema, one solution they use is fake grass on the boat and I suppose at some point the beast figures its the fake grass or a tummy ache...(you kow the out door carpet that resembles grass)

It is dangerous to go outside during storms, mainly because of the debris in the air. On the other hand, people being the curious lifeforms that they are... In a hurricane, the wind clocks around in a pattern, so that at first, it may be coming at your door so you can't get out. But wait a bit, and it will be coming from a different direction (depending on if it is passing north or south) and your doorway will be as still as can be. I have only gone out during daytime storms in this way. At night, they switch off the power. Between the darkness and the storm sounds, you might want to be under the bed with the dogs! :O

Ok multiply the rocking and rolling oak trees by 2 - that is some scary wind. It isn't the palm fronds or mangos that get you, it is the 2x4's from yr neighbor's demolished roof!!! We had a coconut hit our metal hurricane shutters at about 115mph - it would have killed you instantly - the dent was frightening.
EE is absolutely right about the swirls - you can have patches of total calm in the middle of roaring hell. I wouldn't let go of the door handle tho!!!

I've been through some bad ones & that's the last thing I worry about. Mine also (the one I had then) held it) but the ones I have now wouldn't. I have pads they can use.

I don't know if they're available in the VI, but there are puppy training pads (or "pee pads" as a friend of mine calls them) that can be purchased. They're kind of like a giant, flat diaper and are specially scented to indicate to the puppy that it's okay to "go" there (fortunately they are scentless to human life forms!). Same friend also uses it for her older dog so that she doesn't need to get up in the middle of the night.

Many thanks for the info folks! The puppy pads and fake grass are excellent ideas.

I'll watch out for those flying coconuts 😮