The storm last night brought lots of rain and lots of thunder. The Thundershirt should arrive today but last night, we all needed help. Radar looked like the storms were going to go late into the night (or . . early into the morning) and no one in this house was going to get any sleep unless Rita calmed down. From reading about the Thundershirts, I thought maybe if I put one of her sweaters on her and snugged it up real tight, that might help.
It wasn’t instant. It took her a while to calm down but I held her and she fell asleep with me holding her very securely. I put her in her bed and several times during the night, the thunder woke me up. I checked on her and she was still asleep. Success!
We got a bit over 2″ of rain from last night’s storm. I don’t think this gauge is terribly accurate so we may have had more. The morning reading on the Lake Brownwood level says it’s only down 4.12′. It was down 17′ when we arrived here 4 years ago and down around 11′ when this rain started several weeks ago. That is amazing.
It’s hard to say I’m happy for the rain, when so many have been devastated by the flooding, but the lakes in this part of Texas needed filling so badly and I’m thankful they’re filling up. Almost every town around here depends on lake water for their water supply. Water being in short supply is a way of life in this area but for now, the lakes are filling up, the grass is green, the tanks should be full, maybe the ranchers will have sufficient hay for the winter . . what a difference rainfall makes to an area such as this.
Dottie N. says
So glad that your idea to cinch up Rita’s sweater (plus cuddles) helped Rita….And, glad the lake is filling – there are 3 lakes around us that have REALLY increased this past month (they too, were extremely low with the drought the past few years).
I do hate the bad flooding stories (loss of life, as well as loss of homes, roads), but we are thankful for the moisture….I guess it’s a double edged sword.
Paula L says
An old saying about Texas weather – Extended periods of drought interrupted by rains of biblical amounts.
Joyce says
I’m sure you all are ready for the rain to come in (non-drought) normal amounts. Too bad you can’t ship some of it off to California…
Liz a. says
Rescue Remedy works pretty good for dogs who are afraid of thunder storms — ask me how I know. There are two formulas, one has alcohol in it and you might want to avoid that. Squirt a few drops on her tongue. Another friend told me that this stuff works even better. I haven’t tried this one yet. http://smile.amazon.com/Nervous-System-Support-Stress-J-FL/dp/B000PIUMJG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1432378708&sr=8-2&keywords=stress%20j
Rosalie says
Wonderful news that Rita did better….know that you all did better with her asleep also. We are so grateful for the rain but also ready to not have mud to slog thru!
Linda Smith says
Houston will gladly let you have all the rain you want! We have more than enough to go around! I am very happy that you made your trip here before the flood. The Medical Center floods, and all surgeries at Methodist were cancelled. I think God is smiling on you! I hope your Mother is having a great recovery.
Rebecca in SoCal says
I know they say “be careful what you wish for,” and I do remember landslides, but oh boy we could use some rain. When you get too much of a good thing, you just have to remind yourself that it IS a good thing (mostly).
Diane says
So glad to hear about the sweater helping Rita. Both of my chihuahuas have fits with bad weather. I’ll try what you did. BTW, how is your Mom?