Last week the first case of a pet (a cat) infected with (N1H1) flu was confirmed in the US. While I had never thought about having to put on a mask to protect my pets, as the news story suggested, maybe we should at least consider the possibility that we might (at some point) need protection from our pets. Being exposed to N1H1 by a pet is surely a low risk threat, but something we should file away for future reference, should this variety of flu evolve into a more virulent strain. Again, I am not sounding an alarm, just think being informed is a good thing.

Several years ago when avian flu (N5H1) was expected to break out, it was pointed out that our pets were susceptible to avian flu. It is worth remembering that our pets will surely investigate any dead bird (possibly dead from N5H1) they find outdoors, and who knows might become the very transmission vector that brings the flu home to us, as a Trojan horse.

Back when the Avian H5N1 Flu was thought to be the next possible pandemic flu, I gave some consideration to my dog and how to handle her with a self-imposed quarantine (to protect against getting it). My conclusion was that she would not be allowed to go outside. She's in indoor dog anyway, but still goes outside for "business." That would have to change in a self-protection quarantine mode.

My solution was to use a small plastic kiddie pool, put some sand and/or pea gravel in it, put it in the garage, and teach the dog to use it. It was the best thing I could think of to deal with the situation. I don't have cats, so I can't comment there.