We survived Hurricane Ike. As a matter of fact, we got nothing. I've learned there is a dry side to a hurricane, which is the west, and there is the nasty side, or the east. Fortunately for us here around Yoakum, we were on the dry side and did not get a drop of rain. The wind blew but not bad. For those folks in Galveston and north on up to Houston, they got the pounding. There is a horse rescue operation, Habitat for Horses http://www.habitatforhorses.org/, in Galveston County and it suffered mass devastation. They are still in desperate need of water, hay, feed, and money.
Even though we weren't going to get the big hit of the storm, I made preparations for the worst. The news predicted we would get up to 60 mph winds so I thought of tree limbs falling on the fence and Copper getting out. I ended up using a paint pen to write my phone numbers on Copper's neck and shoulder. I also braided some mane at his withers and wrapped duct tape around it for an additional place for my information. I did not leave his halter on him because I don't have a breakaway one. I decided to leave him out because it seems he goes wild when a storm is brewing.
I got up that Friday morning at 5 to check the computer to see if the hurricane was still heading north of us. Even though we are over an hour from the coast, a hurricane is enough to send me packing - with my family and all my animals of course. Luckily I have a big horse trailer, so we would all fit comfortably. To me, it's just not smart to underestimate a storm like this. And I can't understand people who think they won't be swept away when the news is telling you to evacuate or certain death is imminent. That would be the red flag to get out of dodge pronto. For all those families rebuilding, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
