How about keeping a leash handy for the family pooch who will undoubtedly be freaking out at all the comotion.

And don't forget the zanax!

Pooly

Greenghost, I have gone one step further : NO PETS !! The way I see it is that in cases of SHTF, a pet is an additional source of stress, additional thing to prep for.

Kids have had some gold fish and few pets in the past ( after showing moderate objection ). They got the pets for some time and now they had enough.

I'd prefer to focus my preps and attention towards family members , and even then I don't think I have all bases covered.

Re: the zanax, I found that vitamin supplements really help in times of stress and fatique. YMMV.

Talk about timing! 2 hours after I posted this my 18 y/old step daughter brought home another dog after we told her explicity NO! It gets to stay FOR NOW only because my wife basically pleaded with me to give it a try, (she doesnt want it either but loves her daughter in a powerful way and is the family peacekeeper)

Empty nester is sounding better all the time

LOL

I write in a local forum that is focused on family life. One lady told me that she repeatedly read my wish of spending some time alone ( in the desert or remote beach) and she was kind of (what's wrong with this guy). She said that earlier, if she spent two hours by herself she would become crazy. However, after having kids who consume all her available time she would LOVE to spend a few days alone. LOL.

Really, between family and work ( not to mention elderly parents and modern society with all its faults) , a personal crisis is not at all something imaginary. Even day to day events slowly but surely push our nerves to the limit. Take for example my boss decision. We needed to order a few things and he said that money and endless redtape makes it hard to get them . OK ... but he later ordered something else that NONE of us need, nor do we have a space for, and its price would have paid for what we need.

Grrrr....

That stuff will arrive, and it will be OUR problem to find where to put it, and who will take care of it !!!

I am more than angry !!

The personal crisis bag as described in the video is not too bad. I think the idea has been a lot more fully fleshed out as part of this fantastic blog "Listening to Katrina."

Listening to Katrina

It uses its version of the "Personal Crisis Bag" as part of an overlapping set of plans and gear to react to everything from "house is on fire - get out in under a minute" to things with a few days of warning, like a hurricane. The most methodical, well-thought-out and detailed personal emergency planning I've seen.

our dog is part of the family. it would be very hard to just ditch her.

I'm with Bob on this...The right kind of dog can also be very useful in many situations as well..

A walking sensor package. A good dog is very good to have.

Eat, Pray, Love, obviously.

Well, BOB, that is why I have a NO PET law in my house. If we don't have her to begin with, we don't have to struggle with ditching her later.

About the useage of a dog in a SHTF, maybe , but depoends on what type of SHTF. In MY most propable scenario, I want to move as quickly and quietly as possible. I can't see myself and family in a confronation of any type. Even a big dog won't help us much against several bad guys with guns, if it comes to that.

YMMV.