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Evacuating Before Hurricane Irene With Pets

Hurricane Irene found part of my family evacuated from our South Jersey home in the summer of 2011. Thankfully two family members were already out of state visiting relatives so that left myself, my adult son, my Vos Eclectus Ruby and our 16 yr old cat having to find a safe place to stay in a very big hurry. A young couple (very dear friends) quickly invited us and another couple to come 5 miles inland and take shelter with them in their very tiny one bedroom apartment. It took an entire day to secure our house. We truly appreciated having a place to go since it would have been very difficult to find a motel that would accommodate a parrot and a cat! Our friends did not bat an eye as two families moved in with big bags of personal necessities that we all were afraid to leave behind as well as our litter box, table top perch plus cat and bird carriers! Ruby, who is a habitual plucker due to food allergies, has recently started on a strict all raw veggie/fruit diet plus specific healthy seeds and nuts as well as Lucy's Unpellet and other nutritious food selections from Phoenix Foraging Rolls, LLC.

My biggest concern was not having access to fresh foods for her since the stores and all the roads were closed even where we were staying. What was I to do to insure Ruby had healthy food to eat for the duration since she refuses to eat frozen fruits and vegetables? I soon found I was able to relax and rely completely on my supply of Lucy's foods for the two nights/three days we were evacuated. It turned out this also helped keep Ruby calm because it was the one familiar feeling of home....she was without her cage, her toys and her home surroundings but Lucy's foods were now also her comfort food and I found listening to her rhythmic munching had a calming effect on me as my son and I spent the time wondering if we'd have a house to return to. Evacuation was lifted on the third day and we nervously drove through familiar streets now littered with the remnants of Irene. We were overjoyed to find our house was just as we left it with only downed trees and debris to contend with. There was not even one broken window!

The first thing I did was place Ruby back on top of her huge cage and she promptly tucked her head under her wing and proceeded to take her first deep sleep in three days as my son and I started to put furniture back in place and hook electronic equipment back up in the rest of the house. It would take a good three days to get the house all put back together but it was only three hours after we returned home that I truly knew all would be ok because that is when I heard coming from the bedroom Ruby's loud girly laughter. My little redhead was happy to be home and as I let out a big sigh of relief, I realized so was I. 
 

Mulberries- Mulberries are high in several antioxidants including anthocyanins, reservatrol and zeaxanthin.  They have significant amounts of several others, as well. They are high in Vitamin C and are a good source of B complex, Vitamin K, A, E, iron and other minerals.

Pine Nuts- High in protein, rich source of monounsaturated fats, Vitamin D, A, E and a good source of thiamin.  Also, have lecithin. Our pine nuts are soft shelled. So they are a good foraging treat but are not difficult for birds to open.  Most of them can be opened by  squeezing between your fingers.      

Pistachios- have a high quality protein with all 9 of the essential amino acids. They have a low glycemic load and are mildly anti-inflammatory. They are a good source of Thiamin, B6, copper and manganese. They are also rich in monounsaturated fatty acids.

Forbidden Black Rice- extremely high in anthocyanins,  Forbidden Rice is also rich in iron. A new study shows that a spoonful of black rice bran or 10 spoonfuls of cooked black rice contains the same amount of antioxidants as a spoonful of fresh blueberries.