- September 18, 2024
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by: Katie Share
Animal Services Division, Flagler Humane Society
So many families have been affected by COVID and my family, unfortunately, was not spared. My mother, my daughter, and I have all tested positive for this virus and have been quarantined to our home. As I write this from my bedroom in the comfort of my bed where I have been for the past five days, I ponder life and what others in my situation are doing when it comes to their pets while they are sick. Because that is what an animal lover such as myself is worried about while bedridden.
There were a few days that I could hardly get out of bed to care for my child. The thought of taking the dog outside was almost too much, but I did it anyway because it wasn’t my dog’s fault that I caught this virus. Just as I was an unwilling victim to COVID, so were my pets.
Having COVID means you quarantine and distance yourself from others, but it also means you distance yourself from pets. Many people don’t realize this until they get those discharge papers from the hospital that tell you to social distance from your animals.
So, I lie here and look into the sad eyes of my dog, Clara, and try to make her understand why she can’t lie in the bed next to me. I feel like she understands. I can’t wait to be over this so that I can once again hug my dog and take her for walks.
I never thought this would happen to my family and was totally unprepared for it. It never occurred to me that along with having a natural-disaster plan that I should have a medical-emergency plan as well — a plan for my pets if something were to happen to me.
I encourage all pet owners to make a plan, even if it's an understanding with a neighbor to walk your dog if you’re under the weather.
