Thursday, June 27, 2013

Making good choices - by Lady

It has been really, really hot here the past week. When it gets hot like this, it means one thing - thunderstorms. Every night this week we have had one. For people like me who love them, this is great. For creatures like Hailey, who hate them, there is nothing worse. When the rumbling starts, Hailey begins to pace. Her tail goes as tight as it can between her legs. She shakes.  Historically she has also become destructive. Her thunder shirt can help, but given how hot it has been (and we don't have air conditioning), we have been hesitant to use it. Instead she and I have a one sided conversation that goes something like this:

Me: "Hailey I can tell you are so upset. I know you are scared, and I hope you make good choices. Remember to make a good choice." [Note: I know she doesn't understand this, if she did it would be so much easier!]

Thunder - go away - I hate you! 

or me to man if it thundered while we were out: "Did Hailey make good choices?"

By good choices I mean not destroy anything or run away.

Lately, Hailey has been making good choices. I can tell she is trying to find ways to calm down. If we happen to be outside when the thunder rolls in (or anything that might sound like thunder) she runs to the door to go into the house. In the house, she has 3 new favourite hiding places: the downstairs bathroom or Man's office (which we are now leaving her access to when we are out and knock on wood we haven't had any accidents downstairs) and our bedroom closet (which she only has access when we are home). So far, other than a piece of paper towel, she hasn't destroyed anything.

It is sad when the storms hit because I don't get to see my girl. Last night we had thunder around 7. It lasted like 30 minutes. Hailey did come for dinner, but wouldn't go outside. She hid downstairs for 2 hours in the Man's office. Around 9, I convinced her to go outside and she reluctantly did (she really had to go) and then went and hid in the closet.

However, I am very proud of her for making good choices and I tell her this while I love her and offer her treats she is not likely to take when it is storming. I give her points for trying and I hope one day she will not be as afraid.





11 comments:

  1. Oh I hate thunder storms, the big bangs make me jump out of my furs..luckily we don't get many, pawhaps you could jump in bed wiff Mom..BOL xx00xx

    Mollie and Alfie

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  2. We've been having thunderstorms too. Freedom and Casper are both scared of them. Freedom suffers in silence in the bathroom but Casper likes to let us know how miserable he is. Nikki could care less.

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  3. We have our hiding place behind the sofa or upstairs under the dressing table. Peeps leaves me there until I am ready to come out. Now Lee has hers let's hope the naughty choices have stopped. Paws crossed. Have a tremendous Thursday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  4. I (Frankie Furter) have always been TERRIFIED of THUNDER... I am miserable when it comes. It actually IS better now that I have ERNIE... who is too stupid to be afraid of stuffs... Butt I am glad that it is easier fur me now. I hide in the Downstairs Bedroom... UNDER the BED.. and I cry and shake and shiver and make MOM fee Miserable fur me. I really FEEL fur you Hailey.

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  5. I HATE the thunder too. Baby steps!!

    wags
    Jazzi and Addi

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  6. Poor baby! Thunder is terrifying for so many dogs. I really wish they could speak English. It would make life so much easier.

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  7. We're not fond of the thunder either! We sit and cower and shake.

    Good job Hailey for making good choices :)

    Hugs,
    Lily Belle & Muffin

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  8. We are wondering how our Harlow will handle our monsoons. Our boys have never been afraid of it.

    Sam

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  9. SHE loves thunder storms, but we rarely have them. Sounds like Hailey is finding a way to cope with them...even if it is hiding.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

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  10. You should move here cuz it hardly EVER thunders! Hopefully she will get used to it, poor girl.

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley
    Ambassadors of Love

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