Japan earthquake and tsunami 2011

Japan earthquake and tsunami 2011

Japan earthquake pictures

Japan earthquake pictures

Japan earthquake

Japan earthquake

Tips to Help Prepare Your Pet for Disasters

The recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan reminds us that its more than just people and buildings impacted by natural disasters. Pets and wildlife too, are affected in many ways. It always breaks my heart to see animals scared, lost, injured- or worse after any disaster. They don't understand what happened, and can't communicate with people. In the case of Japan, the added problem of nuclear exposure to people and pets is another complication. I was happy to see that the rescue teams in Japan were even scanning pets; this Shiba Inu is held as they scanned him for possible exposure to radiation. Hopefully this poor Shiba is OK. (I had a Shiba Inu a few years ago and still miss little Koshimi.)

All this got me thinking about the need to remind folks of basic things you can do to prepare your pet to help them survive should a disaster strike your area. Check out these simple steps:

• Be sure your pet always wears identification tags, even if it is an indoor pet. 
• Keep recent photos of your pet online where you can access them if your home were destroyed and your pet is lost. 
• Keep a supply of pet food & treats stored safely at all times. 
• Have a pet carrier and pet first aid kit available.
• If your pet is prone to stress (while away from home, etc) buy some stress-relief supplements and have them stored.
•  Keep a "to-go" bag somewhere in the house with non-perishable supplies (brushes, chew toys, bottled water, canned food, etc) that you can grab in a hurry if needed.

I remember a few years ago when the fires in Southern California forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes. Many went to a shelter or hotel but didn't have a pet carrier. They sat with their pets for days on end with nothing to help the pet remain calm- some didn't even have a leash. The Petco Foundation distributed chew toys, beds, food, and all sorts of supplies to help people keep care for their pets.


The current situation in Japan is of course, much more tragic than the San Diego fires a few years ago, but it still underscores the need to be prepared. Having a pet is a big responsibility even when times are good. Being a good pet parent also means being responsible to consider the pets needs as well as your own in the event a disaster strikes. Aside from the peace of mind that you helped save your pet, they can also provide enormous comfort if you still have each other when everything else is lost.

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Understanding the Earthquake Richter Scale

The terrible earthquake and subsequent Tsunami that hit Japan is truly devastating- it is still unfolding as I write this post. We send our thoughts and prayers to all affected, and hope there is minimal loss of life.

Living in Southern California, and virtually adjacent to the San Andreas fault line, we know that its not a matter of "if", but rather "when" THE BIG ONE will come locally.

Have you ever wondered what those Richter Scale earthquake rankings really mean? I'm sure there are some scientific descriptions available, but I found some easy to understand information, believe it or not, from the Scholastic Web site. Here is how Scholastic differentiates the different ranking levels:

9.0 — Causes complete devastation and large-scale loss of life.
8.0 — Very few buildings stay up. Bridges fall down. Underground pipes burst. Railroad rails bend. Large rocks move. Smaller objects are tossed into the air. Some objects are swallowed up by the earth.
7.0 — It is hard to keep your balance. The ground cracks. Roads shake. Weak buildings fall down. Other buildings are badly damaged.
6.0 — Pictures can fall off walls. Furniture moves. In some buildings, walls may crack.
5.0 — If you are in a car, it may rock. Glasses and dishes may rattle. Windows may break. 

4.0 - Buildings shake a little. It feels like a truck is passing by your house.

3.0 - You may notice this quake, if you are sitting still, or upstairs when the quake hits. A hanging object in the house might swing.

2.0 - Trees sway, small ponds ripple, doors swing slowly. You can't tell an earthquake is to blame.

1.0 - Earthquakes this small aren't felt, they usually happen below ground level.

I read somewhere that the Richter scale grows by powers of 10. If it increases by 1 point, that means the strength of a quake is 10 times stronger than the prior level. 

For example:

If an earthquake registers 2.0 on the Richter scale, it would  be 10 times stronger than an earthquake registering 1.0. A quake registering 3.0 is 10 X 10 or 100 times stronger than a quake registering 1.0  A 4.0 is 10 X 10 X 10 or 1,000 times greater than 1.0, so it is really something when thy get that high on the scale. Let's hope and pray we never see one that high.

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Earthquake Felt in Palm Springs at 3:40 PM today

Today, at 3:40 PM PT on Easter Sunday we experienced the effect of a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Baja California in northwestern Mexico. We were sitting at home and felt a rumble-rolling like sensation. I could feel the ground shaking under the house. Our two standard poodles, Sheldon and Duncan barked slightly, and our cat Owen looked wide-eyed and alert. John went out of the house, while I grabbed the dogs and held them close to me just to make sure they felt safe and secure, while I kept an eye on the kitty.

It was the longest earthquake I've ever felt since living in Southern California these past twelve years. I heard the crystal and china vibrating as the house shook ever-so-slightly. The sound of the rumbling was definite. We had no visible damage of any kind, and soon it passed. I noticed the water in our pool sloshed around a bit also. I did have a lingering sensation, similar to motion sickness- similar to being on a boat for awhile and returning to land when it feels as if things are still moving. (that may well be in my head).

When it had passed, I jumped online, Tweeted and posted things on Face Book and saw the barrage of comments flying by on Twitter especially. Friends in San Diego reported things flew off shelves, while people in LA said chandeliers swung and blinds vibrated. All in all, a non-event for us living here in the Coachella Valley. Palm Springs was spared any damage, thankfully.

Did you experience the quake?