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The phrase "Hell or High Water" has been on my mind these last few weeks as I read the news headlines. First, wildfires are eating up big portions of Montana, Oregon and California. Then, we see the flooding due to Hurricane Harvey and we can only imagine what Irma is going to bring to Florida today. The loss of homes and damage to property is astonishing, but it's the people and the animals that really catch our attention as we scroll through our social media feeds and see their images on TV. Whether we are talking about hurricanes or tornados, chemical spills or wildfires, disasters can come to almost any part of our country. Having a good solid plan to evacuate is necessary and it is vital that this plan includes the four-legged, winged or scaly members of your family! How can you best prepare to keep your pets safe if you have to evacuate your home? After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, it was very apparent that we, as a nation, needed to address the concerns evacuating people had when it came to their pets. The answer came the following year with the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act, or PETS Act. This new law mandates that any state who expects help from the federal government during and after a disaster, must make provisions for the accommodations and transportation of people's pets. Despite what you are seeing on Facebook right now, this does NOT mean that all hotels and shelters are required to take pets during these chaotic times. So, it's really up to YOU to make sure your furry friends are safe. I spoke to Dr. Jennifer Hennessey of the Animal ER of Northwest Houston and she told me that the biggest thing she saw during Hurricane Harvey was that people did not adequately prepare for the amount of time they and their pets would be gone. She says that most people were thinking they would be back in their homes after the weekend and it ended up being longer than a week in many cases. Far too many pets did not have enough food or important medications during their evacuation. Your pet's evacuation kit should contain the following items: Enough food (dry and/or canned) and water for 1-2 weeks Water and food bowls Liquid soap for clean up Chronic medications for 1-2 weeks (such as thyroid pills, seizure meds, insulin, etc) Paper towels Proof of ownership, such as a high resolution picture and microchip information Current vaccination records Emergency contact list including local animal emergency hospitals and possible shelter sites Cage or crate that is large enough for your pet to lie down comfortably. If you have a cat, consider a cage large enough that a shoe box could be used as a litter box inside. Cat litter Leash and collar/harness for proper restraint "Comfort" items, such as a favored blanket or sweatshirt. One big thing that Dr. Hennessey reminded me was that having some sort of favorite chew toy or play item is really helpful. Playing ball with your dog while the power is out will help keep his mind and your mind off of the situation and, like we always say, a tired dog is a good dog! Many of you are looking to help the people and animals effected by these incredible disasters. For Hurricane Harvey, the Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation is a great place to start. As with all disasters, cash donations go a LONG way, but I know it often feels GOOD to donate something else. Local efforts across the country need bottled water, pet food, cleaning supplies, diapers and baby wipes. Your local American Red Cross chapter or Salvation Army group are likely looking for support as you read this. For the wildfires in Montana, a local shelter in Helena has set up a donations page for affected pets. To help livestock and families affected by the fires in Montana, the 406 Family Aid Foundation has set up a page. As we know more about the effects of Hurricane Irma, we will update this page. For now, keep all these folks, both human and animal, in your thoughts and prayers. #PetPalsTV #disastersandpets #hurricaneharveypets #ThomasDockCVJ #CertifiedVeterinaryJournalist #disasterpreparednesspets #veterinarian #veterinary #dogscatshorseslivestockpets

(Photo courtesy of Arkive.org) It’s big, it’s slow, it’s impressive! The Giant African Land Snail (Achatina fulica) is one of the world’s most invasive species. It has been introduced around the world from its native home in eastern Africa. The shell of the giant African snail is a reddish-brown color, with pale yellow vertical markings, although coloration can vary depending on the surrounding environmental conditions. When fully grown, the shell of the giant African snail has seven to nine whorls and is most often narrow and conical in shape. Some appear much broader and shorter, while others are much taller and more slender. Mainly active at night, the giant African snail feeds on living or dead plant matter from as many as 500 different plant species, including many economically valuable crops such as cabbage, cauliflower, cacao and banana. The largest recorded specimen of this species measured 15.5 inches from snout to tail when fully extended. Its shell length was 10.75 inches and it weighed two pounds. You can even buy one for a pet! Want to see a giant snail in action? Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njN3h1cHV7s

Have your heard about the latest strains of the Canine Flu? Timely advice from Tom Dock with Noah's Animal Hospitals.

In 2013, the blobfish was voted the World’s Ugliest Animal by the Ugly Animal Preservation Society. OK, that sounds like an honor, sort of. But, despite its scowl-y face, the blobfish is a pretty harmless creature. This deep-water, bottom-dwelling species endemic to the waters of the South Pacific is made of a gelatinous material less dense than water, which allows it to float about in the water despite reaching such a large and ungainly size. Due to the low density of its flesh, the innocuous blobfish floats leisurely near the ocean floor, quietly gobbling down small crustaceans and other edible matter that floats into its mouth. With very little muscle, actively hunting prey is nearly impossible. The little creature grows to be approximately a foot long. Because they live at such depths, there is very little information about the population of blobfish. Some experts fear that the fish could be facing extinction. It is commonly the victim of bycatch from seafloor trawlers.

She was abandoned in the brutal Gobi Desert, but she has a wonderful human to care for her now. Meet the amazing Gobi, the tough and terrific tiny terrier, and her owner, ultramarathon runner Dion Leonard. Caroline Thau has the heartwarming story that will bring tears of joy to your eyes. MUST SEE GOBI'S STORY! Oh, and there's a book out, too!! Learn more about the book at FindingGobi.com

Tom Dock from Noah's Animal Hospitals drops by to explain why pet owners need to be aware of their critters’ “potty” habits. Some dogs need some anal expression. It's not a pretty topic, but it is important.

(San Diego Zoo Photo) What is that thing? A hog? An anteater? A hippo? Nope, it’s a tapir. According to LiveScience.com, tapirs are large mammals that look like wild hogs with anteater snouts. In reality, tapirs are most closely related to horses and rhinos. The word "tapir" comes from an indigenous Brazilian language and means "thick," referring to the animal's hide. "Tapir" can be pronounced at least two ways: It can rhyme either with "paper" or with "appear." Tapirs are about the size of a donkey. They have round bodies, short legs and stubby tails, sort of like a hippo. Their eyes and ears are small. They have four toes on each front foot and three toes on each back foot, according to the San Diego Zoo. Their most distinctive feature is their snout, which is flexible like an elephant's trunk. However, the tapir’s trunk is actually its upper lip and nose and can grab things with their trunks, somewhat like an elephant. They use them to pluck leaves and fruit out of trees. When threatened, tapirs will submerge themselves in a river and use their snouts like a snorkel. Most tapirs live in South America, from southern Mexico to Venezuela, Brazil and Paraguay. Want to see one in action? Go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFRrsX_HxD8

Feeling crabby? Not nearly as crabby as a giant crustacean that weighs up to 44 pounds! The Japanese spider crab gets its name from its eight legs, each so long that a pair can span up to 18 feet from tip to tip. Its body only grows up to 15 inches wide. The Japanese name for the species is taka-ashi-gani, which means “tall legs crab,” a marine crab found in the waters around Japan that has the largest leg span of any arthropod. Currently, the record holder is Crabzilla, whose legs measure 12 feet long. He has been on display at the Sea Life Scheveningen in the Netherlands since 2010. Another Japanese spider crab held at Sea Life Blackpool in the UK, named Big Daddy, has legs that measure 10.2 feet across. The giant spider crab can live to be up to 100 years old! Want to see one in action? Click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8P_OV8DFSk

What does the term “non-allergenic dog” mean? Is there such a thing? Tom Dock from Noah's Animal Hospitals explains about allergies and pets and sheds light on this hot topic.

We'll update you on our friend Brandon Scott and his search for a new service dog after his beloved Rona passed a few months ago. Brandon will explain some of the process he went through and why Kary was selected to be his constant companion and helper. Wonderful work by our friends at Canine Companions for Independence (CCI).

It's a bittersweet remembrance of race car driver/dog lover Bryan Clauson. He died last year in a race in Kansas. I'll visit with Bryan's mom and fiance as they reflect on Bryan's life and legacy . . . and his love of dogs. Bryan was only 27 when he left those he loved, but his canine companions continue to spread cheer even after his passing.

You're gonna meet a woman with a magic wand. Rita Spalding is an artist who loves painting portraits of pets! You'll even see her talents in action as she tackles the face of my Stewie! Don't “brush” this story aside, it's a “must see”!