You know it's windy when local weather stations are forced to offer unofficial "small dog warnings," as the National Weather Service in Cleveland, Ohio did this past February 12th, because there's a chance any small pups could be literally blown away.
With incoming gusts up to 50 miles per hour, the Cleveland NWS tried to keep local pooches safe by tweeting this message:
"We have an unofficial "Small Dog Warning" Wind Advisory for northern #Ohio and NW #Pennsylvania this evening through Wednesday. Wind gusts 45 to 50 mph! A few trees may be blown down. Scattered power outages possible."
Hold on to your Pooch!...We have an unofficial "Small Dog Warning" Wind Advisory for northern #Ohio and NW… https://t.co/Ufyijccfsr— NWS Cleveland (@NWS Cleveland)1549985386.0
Twitter couldn't help but chuckle at the very serious warning:
@NWSCLE https://t.co/MjAcVxg2Os— chaser (@chaser)1549985596.0
The smaller the dog, the larger the danger.
@NWSCLE Thanks for the warning. https://t.co/QZg8pcrxgU— Givon Wayne Gilliam (@Givon Wayne Gilliam)1550186474.0
@nahmias https://t.co/XftFCD6erf— more schools, fewer prisons (@more schools, fewer prisons)1550234045.0
@nahmias 😂 https://t.co/F8Kfs4HE0i— TheGeekRican™VO (@TheGeekRican™VO)1550237400.0
The dramatic winds reminded many Twitter users of other dog who got carried away by some unfortunate gusts...
@NWSCLE https://t.co/hPaBHqPhaw— Wendy (@Wendy)1550003787.0
@NWSCLE https://t.co/18E8Hi7tMV— RandomNameGenerator (@RandomNameGenerator)1550188214.0
Many social media users wondered: "What about cats?"
@NWSOmaha @_Taylor_Nic @NWSCLE They got this https://t.co/8o3EoracSd— RogueFlynn (@RogueFlynn)1550190143.0
@nypost The New York Post reports "National Weather Service delivers small dog warning: 'Hold on to your Pooch!' "… https://t.co/r7GtUmi7DS— Bill Cutler (@Bill Cutler)1550205480.0
@NWSCLE @JoannaBarbacoa why don't our @NWSElPaso care about our small animals like this?! https://t.co/o99xgDnNiM— Lisa Sanchez (@Lisa Sanchez)1550238849.0
The most important thing, however, is that dog owners keep their heads and act carefully.
@NWSCLE Ruh-Roh! https://t.co/75w4ig3H2u— Jan Thompson (@Jan Thompson)1550204919.0
Dogs are surely grateful for the NWS's attention—small pups being literally blown away by powerful winds is not unprecedented. In 2009, a 6-pound chihuahua from Michigan was reportedly swept up by 70 m.p.h. gust and was blown nearly a mile away. Today reports that the dog's family eventually managed to track him down, but not without the aid of a local pet psychic.
NATIONAL: Gone With the Wind: Pet Chihuahua Blown Away. Chihuahua reunited with her owners after 70-mph... http://tinyurl.com/c68zgv— Fox News (@Fox News)1240933340.0
Just last month, another chihuahua sadly died after 30 m.p.h. winds threw it out into the ocean.
So Cleveland was on a small dog warning on Tuesday ??? They are reporting on the radio here right now that the wind… https://t.co/UriOlli0zP— Tommy (@Tommy)1550241442.0
The Cleveland NWS also warned residents about other dangers, like power outages and downed trees. But, naturally, most of people's attention is on their dogs!
@people https://t.co/uUDqpCy2FV— ART (@ART)1550202916.0
Hold tight to those puppies, Cleveland residents! You wouldn't want Toto to end up in Oz all alone.
@NWSCLE How much wind speed do you need for Big 🐶 Warning? Asking for a friend https://t.co/8ivj7JuPSY— DiverDown (@DiverDown)1550207939.0