What about the animals?

Last night I was watching some images from New Orleans of the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, only these were of the four legged variety.

I'm talking about dogs, cats, and any other kind of pet left behind by their owners, probably because they thought they would have come back right after the storm had passed. I even saw a dog chained to a column, so the poor thing had no way of escaping or go out looking for food or clean water for days. Thousands of animals have been left stranded in the wake of the hurricane.

I know the priority has to go to the people, they should be saved first, but what about their pets? They look at us, their masters, for food, water, love, company. What happens to them when we leave them behind? Many probably died in the storm, but their animal instincts probably saved hundreds more than their two legged companions.

There are even stories of rescuers denying the rescued to take their pets with them. I'm sorry, this is just wrong. If someone has been able to survive this horror, and so has his pet, and they were able to stay together in the aftermath, waiting to be saved, they shouldn't be forced to part ways now, moments before being taken to safety.

Being an animal lover, and having two dogs of my own that I couldn't imagine leaving behind, ever, I decided to post a few pictures that clearly show how animals need our help too.