The Night That Opened My Book: A Sonoma Veterinarian’s Reflection on the 2017 Fires
I’m not entirely sure why I chose the night the Sonoma fires began — October 8, 2017 — to open my book. Probably because that disastrous week imprinted itself so deeply on my mind that it shaped my future self.
Even if you weren’t here, you might remember the images that traveled across the country: orange skies, frantic evacuations, families and animals fleeing with only what they could carry. For those of us who lived through it, the air itself felt changed — heavy, urgent, ancient. It was a week that rearranged something in me.
Natural disasters have become so commonplace that we sometimes forget what they mean. We see them on our phones at any hour — hurricanes, floods, fires, tornadoes, earthquakes — each one a reminder that our planet is doing what any mother would do under strain: providing, healing, protecting… and warning. There is only so much she can do.
That week taught me something I didn’t want to learn the hard way:
Preparation is an act of love. Love for your home, your animals, your family, your future self.
When the world is calm — when the sky is blue and the air is sweet — that is the moment to prepare, not when smoke is already at your door. So I want to gently encourage anyone reading this, no matter where you live, to take a little time now to make sure you’re ready for whatever your region faces.
Pack your go‑bag today.
Keep your medications — and your pets’ medications — where you can reach them in seconds.
Clean your cat carrier and line it with soft bedding.
Make sure every four‑legged family member has ID tags and updated microchip information.
These are small acts that become enormous gifts when the world tilts.
Here are a few links that may help you plan for something that hopefully will never happen!
https://www.rhondastallings.com/ If you have questions or to read more.
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