Retired Cherry Hill, N.J. school teacher Elaine Braslow loves her now-deceased dog Bentley so much that she keeps the cremated remains in her home. She told Philly.com that funeral arrangements have already been made for her and Bentley to be buried together in the same coffin when her time comes.
Braslow’s love for her dog is not an uncommon phenomenon. Mintel Group, a market research firm, found in a 2009 survey that 76 percent of people with dogs consider them a part of the family. When prepping for economic collapse, acts of God, or worse, you must account for your dog the same way you do every other family member. You will either have to leave the dog behind or take the preparation required to ensure your four-legged companion is not a detriment to your survival seriously.
Prepare A Bug-Out Bag
Your dog will literally have to carry its own weight in a SHTF scenario. Purchase a dog backpack and place everything for the dog in it to make sure it fits. This includes a week’s worth of food that is ready to go at a moment’s notice. The key is to pack light and compact without sacrificing quantity.
Put dog food in Ziploc bags and squeeze out out as much air as possible. Just replace the food and all medical supplies every couple months to ensure freshness. A set of shoes, a sweater and spare leash should also be included in the bag.
Make sure the first-aid kit for your dog contains a de-worming agent and flea treatments. Get the dog a vaccine for canine parvovirus now to minimize the risk of contraction later.
Boot Camp
You can expect disaster if you do not expose your dog to what is to come in a SHTF scenario. Strap the backpack on your dog and go on several brisk walks. Wear your pack on these training session too so an association can be learned.
Take your dog on hikes with poles and exploratory walks in wooded areas. Purchase a dog training collar at SportDOG.com to help reinforce new commands for new environments. Make certain to expose the dog to all weather conditions.
Remember to gradually build up activity levels. Do not just throw a 20-pound pack on your dog and expect it to complete a five-mile walk. Be patient and have fun with the entire process.
Tough Decisions
Survival in SHTF scenarios will be difficult even for the most diligent of preppers. Some will be forced to make a very difficult decision when it comes to their dogs. A Labrador with hip dysplasia or a Maltese who sits in your lap four hours per day are not great candidates for bug-out companions.
The main reason to take your dog along, no matter the breed, is the unconditional love. Humans can eventually adopt cutthroat tendencies when food and water supplies get low, and hope is dwindling. Your dog will sacrifice its life for you. They also have superior senses of smell and hearing, both of which could come in extremely handy in sticky situations.
The decision is yours and nobody will criticize you either way.
Jeremy Martinez
freelance writer, world traveler, prepper
Very good article. What about cats? My cat gets daily tactical training. Check out the video: