Sky the Storm Chasing Dobie

T H E A D V E N T U R E S O F C H A S E R D O G "S K Y"

A NOTE FROM SKY.....

I love to storm chase, excitement....travel....and the BEST food anywhere! Jeff and Kathryn make sure I stay comfortable during storm chasing...I have a big soft cushy bed in the back of the chase vehicle with plenty of room to stretch...I like to sit up and look at the scenery of the many states that we travel through. For instance this last chase we traveled through Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana! Every now and then I go up to the front and check on XM weather to see how the chase is going and give Jeff and Kathryn a couple of kisses.

Recently, I read articles on StormTrack by storm chasers making fun of the FOOD that storm chasers have to eat while on the road. They must not be going to the places that I go because I eat like a queen when I am out storm chasing....my favorite(s)...McDonald's Regular Cheeseburger (hold the pickles and onions)...Wendy's Chicken Nuggets...Sonic extra long coney (hold the onions) and Beef JERKY Yummmmmm! For breakfast, I sometimes have an Egg McMuffin or McDonalds Big Breakfast (just alittle syrup on the pancakes) I noticed that Jeff and Kathryn snack on apples and oranges....great people food ....but dogs don't really care for that kind of thing. I drink bottled water on the road...staying hydrated is essential on these long storm chases. Oh and Kathryn brings PLENTY of Meaty Bones or Bil-Jac Dog Bisquits for me....Heaven, pure Heaven.

My storm gear includes, a full reflective jacket in bright greenish yellow, a sturdy black leash attached to my Harley Davisson Spiked Collar and of course my information tag, which I wear ALWAYS when outside of the chase vehicle. Every dog should wear a tag, with information inscribed on it that includes their home address, dog name, and contact person just in case we get lost. I have a storm chaser hat (see above photo) and rain booties (which I seldom wear). Also, sometimes for night time chases I wear a small flashing bikers light on my collar...safety...safety...safety.

When we arrive back home from a chase....everything settles back down to normal...I eat my regular dog food...run around in my big back yard....bark at the golfers...play with my toys....drink tap water....scare the cats (just having fun cause I really love cats)! Jeff and Kathryn play with me daily, give me plenty of hugs and kisses, take me for short rides in the car, take me on walks to the park and give me cookies at night before I go to bed.

As I type this out on the back porch...I notice the sky is clear and looks capped....no storms today....but get ready...another GREAT STORM CHASE is just around the corner...I'll keep you informed.

STAY SAFE!

SKY
Chaser Dog

April 14, 2006

Sky, settles down for the night....thinking about the model data that is pouring in for April 15th chase. Will the moisture (dewpoints) make it up into Nebraska? Is the cap going to break? Will the winds be veered or backed? Her eyes grow heavy and she falls asleep with visions of softball sized hailstones dancing in her head.

NEXT DAY......MODERATE RISK

April 15, 2006

Waking up at the crack of dawn, Sky gets on the computer and looks at the SPC (Storm Prediction Center) Convective Day 1 Outlook. The moisture return is good and the outlook poses a significant chance of tornadoes...target area St. Joseph, Missouri.....She runs to wake up Jeff and Kathryn.

Sky watches intently as Jeff shows her where he thinks the storms will begin that day.

OK, I've seen enough data...Nebraska here we come!

Sky meets a sweet dog, named Lucy, whose owners home was hit by a tornado...she was lucky...but there are other animals who are not so lucky during a severe weather event. Pet owners please read the instructions on pet safety during a storm...follow the link PET SAFETY....and for those animals not fortunate enough to have owners please donate to the SPCA or your local area SPCA. STAY SAFE!