Don,
Not all animals are sensitive. Not all humans are sensitive. But I have been an ultra sensitive girl all of my life. Too sensitive. Plus, during the research of this book, for some reason, my senses have been heightened. Thus, perhaps my animals pick up on that or not.
Currently, I live an isolated life in the mountains. My two best friends are my dog Simon and cat Kerouac. So yes, I'm with 'em almost 24/7. And yes, both critters sleep with me. (Simon under the covers. K.C. by the bed like a canine. But if a quake is coming, he often is nearby. I'm a light sleeper.) Simon goes with me on 99% of errands. Read: He is a sporting dog and loves to be on the go.
Pet people are often tuned into their animals more than you can imagine. Other people who have pets and busy lives may miss signs that their companion animals know that disaster is on its way.
Callie

P.S. I just got a flashback of my former yellow Lab. In the Bay Area I was living in a rustic bungalow in San Carlos. One night, there was a four alarm fire and I was told be firefighters to prepare for evacuation. Guess who initially alerted me to the blaze? My dog, Carmella. She was also the pooch who was restless for one week prior to the Loma Prieta quake. (Late last night I watched a classic Lassie film. May I suggest you do the same.)