Stuck in the Storm -- Emergency Plans Needed for Animals

Like thousands of drivers, I was stuck in the snow storm on Wednesday night.  Max & I  picked up Natalie from a dance class in Rockville, Maryland around 5:30 p.m. and pulled into our Silver Spring neighborhood well after 2:00 a.m. on Thursday morning.    We made one  pit stop during the trek home.  At around 9:45 p.m. we  arrived at friends' house, about 6 miles from our home; we could have spent the night there, but Nigel and the cats were home alone.   The cats had food, water and clean litter, but Nigel had not eaten dinner and does not use a litter box.  We decided to keep traveling.  So, close to midnight we set out for the final leg of our long journey. 

Charlotte insists on
experiencing her first
real snow fall from the
screened in porch

You hear about what you should have in your car for such emergencies -- food, water, shovel, cat litter, a scraper, and something to keep you warm.  But, I never thought of having an emergency plan in place so Nigel and the cats would be safe and comfortable if I could not get home  When we finally opened the door at that early morning hour, Nigel rushed outside, happy to see us, and lifted his leg for what seemed like 5 minutes!   We went into our dark house -- like thousands of others in the area our power was out -- fed Nigel a meal that was neither breakfast nor dinner and fell into bed with cats cuddling close.  

Nigel greets Max and Rachel
after they return from sledding



The next day, still no power, but we were safe at home.  Nigel went outside several times and Charlotte insisted on seeing the snow from the screened in porch. 

As soon as the snow melts,  I will venture back on the road to get my next door neighbor a key for such emergencies.