Getting ready for Earl

Gosh.. is it EVER hot out today!   When there's a blue heat haze shimmering on the mountain, we just skip the trails and head straight for the river. We don't usually see fish jumping in the river this late, but its just one more delight to amuse and entertain the dogs.
Like everyone else in Nova Scotia, I'm "battening down the hatches" for the possibility of a hurricane this weekend.  In countryspeak, that means putting away the sundried wood and filling the freezers with tubs to make ice.   Closer to time, I'll get kettles and buckets of water organized.
When I was thirteen we spent a summer in Sardinia, where we found out first hand why siestas are so popular in sultrier climes.   Even though its not nap time here, its a chance to get out of the heat by checking my mail and doing site updates.
I was very pleased to see this waiting in my inbox:
SPCA asking pet caregivers to take precautions and prepare for Hurricane Earl

Nova Scotia (September 1, 2010) – The Nova Scotia SPCA is alerting pet caregivers to take precautions with the upcoming category 3 storm: Hurricane Earl. Though downgraded from a category 4 storm, the still powerful hurricane is expected to hit the Canadian coast this weekend. During a storm, it is important to bring pets indoors and to try to keep them calm. Some simple precautions and preparations include:
1. Ensuring vaccinations are up-to-date and that records are handy
2. Keeping a collar with license and identification on your pet
3. Preparing a special kit for your pet that includes a leash, carrying case, food, water, bowls, toys, medications and any special instructions for the care of your pet
4. Put a sign on your door that indicates how many pets live at your residence in the event that you must leave your home
For more information consult the SPCA, Disaster Animal Response Team of Nova Scotia, or the Emergency Management Office (EMO) or this website: http://emo.gov.ns.ca/content/plan-your-pets.
Its a good thing, imho, to remind everyone to think about what would happen if they had to leave their homes with, or worse, without their pets.  And before the keyboards catch on fire, people generally don't deliberately leave their pets behind but if you will recall the last time they had the fires out at Porters Lake not everyone was home when the roads were closed off by the police during the day.
Its early yet in the week to say for sure how severe the storm will be ... but its a sure thing that its always good to to take a proactive approach and have a plan.