T and I have periodically discussed and updated our evacuation plan over the years, so when we got Snickers in January 2004, he became part of the plan. (Darn, I keep meaning to buy a doggie backpack for him; I should do that right now.)

Anyway… we’ve always known most shelters won’t allow dogs and we’d have to sleep outside if we were hiking away from NYC towards the midwest (where my sister lives). After reading about Snowball (the poodle that wasn’t allowed to get on the bus out of New Orleans with her boy), T and I talked about it again. We’ve agreed that the only way in hell we will ever let Snick get separated from us during an emergency is if it is truly a matter of life-or-death.

Even then, I think I’d be hard pressed to remember I’m not allowed to sacrifice my life to save him. I know, I know, he’s "just a dog," but he’s also a big part of our little family. Truly, the only way I’d leave him behind is if I couldn’t save T otherwise. Her safety and well-being always come before everything else.