It has been a rough week here for my anxious dog, Miss Hailey Bug. We have had power outages, thunderstorms and fireworks. While we were hoping the occasional Valium would be enough to keep our calm, we have had to make the decision to also return her to prozac after a year and a half off it. She just gets herself so worked up, she can't regulate. She must destroy things while she is hyperventilating.
Friday night was particularly bad as the neighbours had fireworks in the field across from the house, and there was some rain. As the Man had to get up to work at 5:30 on Saturday morning, I took the night shift.
We started in our closet, where she managed to get into the sewing kit before I joined her. We then ended up in the basement in the bathroom. Everything has been removed from this room. I pulled in a chair and held my Kobo in one hand and pet her with the other as she shook and tried to go through the wall. I just kept redirecting her.
After about an hour, I was tired, so I took the cushion off the chair and moved to the floor. I knew we were making progress when she sat on me. Not the most flattering pictures of either of us, (I am not sharing the worst lol!) but a true look at what living with an extremely anxious dog can look like.
After about another half hour, I think the combination of the fireworks clearly being done, and the meds, she had settled enough that I could move to the couch. This is where I slept with all the lights on while she went back upstairs with the Man. I stayed here until about the time Man had to get up for work, and then I moved back to the bed.
Earlier in the week, after the power had been out for a few. hours and it was slightly windy and we think she thought the sound of me pulling up the garbage bin was thunder, she pulled things out of the garbage in my office to destroy them. You can click HERE (hopefully) for the video. I am in the process of changing my email address (it will now be kten19ATmeDOTcom) so am having issues syncing all the things! I will get it all sorted out.
at least there was a part of sofa time... why your neighbors had a firework? was there a howlyday?
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteFireworks should be banned from everywhere but single large events (New years and that's about it) as far as I am concerned. Not a fan myself, you'll gather! My Jade hated the thunder too and I can so identify with this having to 'be there' for the panting one. Praying that the noise settles down for you all. Huggies to the peeps and waggles to the pups. YAM-aunty xxx
So sad that she is terrified by these things, tho many pets are. Hailey's seem to rise to the highest degree tho; if she does go back to stronger meds, hopefully it will help her. And how painful for you to have to see this happen with her ... could it be possible to place ear plugs in a dog ...
ReplyDeleteGiven the circumstances, I think it's a *great* picture of you both!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry dear Hailey! I can see the anxiety and the video. We had one burst of fireworks last night here and bow jumped up and barked but that was all we did and now I dread the coming week. But he does not get anxious like she does. I hope the Prozac works and I'm sorry that she has to go on it but you have to do whatever will remove her anxiety. I must say you look worn out the weeks before Jake died he had dementia and he was blind and couldn't hear and he paced all night long and I thought I was going to Die 2
ReplyDeletePoor Hailey, hang in there good girl!!!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Sunny and the Gang
Hailey I'm so very sorry. I can see your anxiety in the video.... If I live to be 187, I will never ever understand the fascination some people have with fireworks. Sending hugs.
ReplyDeleteCecilia
Poor Hailey! Her parents are very good to her, comforting her as best they can. I am no fan for fireworks, but it never ever occurred to me until recently that veterans with PTSD can have flashbacks when neighbors set off their fireworks. Keep fireworks downtown in the municipal park.
ReplyDeleteBertie and I are so sorry to hear that Hailey (and Lady) have been having such a rough week. Sleeping on the floor does not look comfortable, at least not for Lady, and we hope to hear of calmer nights going forward.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
OMGoodness, H. That DOES sound like a rough week - for ALL of you. WHat a combination of weather, power outages, firecrackers. Blerg. The 4th will be here soon, and hopefully that'll be the end of that part of it anyway - IF they're even related to that. Sometimes, people are just idiots.
ReplyDeleteLove and licks,
Cupcake
You have my full sympathies. Especially during fireworks season which I dread. I just wish people understood how damaging it is for the anxious, whether they have two or four legs. Hope things get better soon.
ReplyDeleteWe're sorry to hear Hailey has had such a bad time lately. She is lucky to have such understanding and caring pawrents.
ReplyDeleteI"m so sorry, Hailey. You have a great mom who cares deeply for you.
ReplyDelete