Every time I look at Rita, even with her quirky little personality and her bad manners, I am so thankful she found us. I can hardly stand to think of her living out in the woods, scrounging for food, eating acorns and water and trying to avoid being eaten by a coyote. Every little noise and she jumps. Yesterday I had her outside, for hours as you know, and once I repositioned the leash and it touched her head and she about came unglued. I just cannot imagine how she made it in the woods for over a week. It’s no wonder she wouldn’t come to me when I called her and Vince finally ended up having to catch her in a trap.
Rita Hiding Her Face
I guess it’s a good thing she lives where it rarely rains because she is so scared of thunder. Once before, we had a thunderstorm during the night and she, the dog who will not let you hold her at all, came to our bedroom door and rattled the door til I got up and she was happy to get in our bed.
Last night, thunder woke me up and I was fixing to get up to go check on her and realized she was already in our bed. Hmm . . how did that happen. Vince said when he first heard thunder, he got up and took her outside, and then she raced back to our bed and wanted in so he put her in the bed and that’s where she slept.
This morning, she cannot stay awake. It’s cool in the house so I put her little sweater on her. Come to think of it, I’m cold too. We haven’t had a fire in the fireplace yet this year. Maybe when Vince is home for lunch, I can talk him into building one for me. I can do it but I’m kinda scared to do it for the first time .. no telling what kind of critter is living up that chimney and may come scampering down once the fire gets going. Yes, there is a cover on the top of the chimney to keep birds out but I’m betting snakes and scorpions could be up there.
Judy H says
She would probably like a thundershirt. It wraps firmly around the dog and comforts them – a bit like swaddling a baby. It really helps my scaredy-dog and a friend of mine has had great success with it, too. I got mine at Bed Bath and Beyond with a coupon.
JudyL says
On average, we don’t have thunder (or rain) but 3 or 4 times a year, if that much. I’d lose the darned thing between thunderstorms. We’ll see how she does but honestly, if she’ll snuggle with us during a thunderstorm, that makes me happy since she’s not a snuggler.
Shauna says
If she is really frightened of thunder you should get her a thunder vest. I had a yorkie that was terrified of it and so when it rained I was up most of the night holding him. We got him one of the vests and it really helped. It didn’t totally make the fear go away, but he was much calmer and actually sleep during a storm it if wasn’t really bad. I think I got mine at PetsMart. It wasn’t cheap, but it was worth it for him.
Theresa says
One of my dogs had the thunder problem, too. I haven’t tried the thunder shirt, but I did once use an anti-anxiety medication that worked. I think the thunder shirt is a better idea than medication.
Elaine/MuddlingThrough says
It does something to them to live in the wild, even if only for a short time. That time has got to seem like ages to them and you can see she is a princess! 😉 So glad she has a safe warm place to live with people who love her!
Alison says
I came over all goosey when I thought about the possibility of snakes or scorpions living up your chimney. Here in New Zealand we are “dangerous critter free” so I don’t think I could cope with that. Many years ago we holidayed in Florida and those little lizards that are harmless but everywhere had me stomping my feet when I walked to shoo them away.
Suzanne Kent says
I have an older dog that I adopted 6 years ago after his previous owner passed away. He was fine with thunder until about two years ago when all of a sudden one day during a thunder storm he got very nervous, started violently shaking, salivating copiously, panting, and heart racing. I sat on floor and held him ’til the thunder stopped, but didn’t feel like I was of much comfort to him. Vet recommended tranquilizers which I was not in favor of. Did a lot of researching on internet. Thunder coats seemed like a possibility, but then discovered a NATURAL solution. Talking with dog owner friends who had tried it and they all concurred that it truly did work with no side effects at all. It is called Melatonin. You may be familiar with it. I got mine in a health food store, but I’m sure it can be fount on internet also. My dog runs 22 -24 lbs. I put 4-5 drops on a piece of bread, or similar item. I do this at first far away roll of thunder here in FL where we have an abundance of electrical storms. It works like a charm every single time. Dogs, like people, do not all react the same way to many things, but thought I’d tell my story and give you another option. It’s cheap too….under $8. No pressure from here. Just one dog lover to another. Suzanne
Sherrill says
UGH, I think if there was a snake or scorpion in my chimney, I’d wanna start a fire ASAP! LOL I have my chimney cleaned every year around Oct. so I don’t have to worry much about what’s up there. I’ve had several fires this year already–so glad I bought a full cord rather than a half. How come you don’t use the heat/ac more since you have solar? Just curious.
JudyL says
Me not use the a/c? I keep it so cold in here most of the summer that Vince needs a sweatshirt. The heat is propane and solar doesn’t help me out on that. I don’t really like having the heater on . . it seems to dry things out more, but I love having a fire going in the fireplace. It just hasn’t been cold enough yet here to have one. This afternoon it warmed up and I’m glad I didn’t start a fire.
Terri says
One of our Jack Russells wears her thunder shirt alot, not just when it’s thundering. I’ve been able to take her off Prozac because of it lol. But if snuggles works I’d stick with that too!!
Susan says
I had two fireplaces in my southern Arizona house, and lots of scorpions roamed through, but I never had one in the chimney, nor a snake – unless they dropped into the fire and burned, but I think I would have noticed the odor of the snake, at least. We, too, had a chimney cover. I miss having a fireplace.
Diana In R.R says
Tiki was really frightened by thunder when we first got her. She would literally jump up on our laps-one time up on Galen’s laptop he was using. She isn’t near as frightened now.
Pat -Alabama says
I’m glad Rita found you guys. We had two boys that had trouble with thunder. We used to get down in the floor an lay with the big guy. He was so afraid of loud sounds and the little guy always got in bed to snuggle. If we were not home when a thunder storm came the little guy when outside and sat in the rain. He was found on the side of the road. Animals bring such great joy to our lives.