Animals are so much more in tune with the subtleties of mother nature. They know things. Animals know.
If they are let loose in the face of impending disaster, if they have enough time, they have the sense god gave them and can often look after themselves quite well. It seems we humans have a tougher time figuring out what to do and without the weather man telling us to watch out, the sky is falling, most of us don't have a clue.
After a natural disaster people have been heard to say that the dog/cat/horse/ birds were acting strange. Too bad we are not sharp enough to pick up on this more often. It would do us all good to become better observers of our critters..if we know how to put meaning into what we observe.
Here, floods, twisters and earthquakes are not too likely. But fire? Forest fire is a very real threat, especially with all the dead pine from the pine beetle kill. We have evacuation plans in place and right up there is opening my hen house and getting my birds OUT! I will not be able to crate them up and move them in an emergency, but I will allow them the best shot to save themselves.
Yes Foehn, god bless the animals, those who cannot save themselves. And what a loss and blow to the scores of people for whom those animals meant meat or milk or eggs. I keep my birds for fun. I cannot imagine the devastation of losing livestock when I cannot replace them and they were a large part of what sustained my family. A prayer, a humble gratitude for the blessings I have, a glance at my safe and sleeping child and husband...thank you Foehn, there is much to think about.