Thursday night Rita kept me up most of the night. The storms were supposed to come through around midnight, again at 2 a.m. and again at 5 a.m. I figured I’d just stay up past the midnight storm and hope for the best. We ended up deciding not to give her meds because it actually looked like the storms were going to go around us.
About 11:30, the radar looked like everything was going north of us . . north of the lake, which is a safe distance away. I thought the ones that were supposed to be here at 2 looked like they were going well south of us. So, I went to bed. Even though Vince had taken her out before he went to bed, when I started to go to bed, she wanted to go out again so I took her out. She did #1. Just about the time I fell asleep, she woke me up . . had to go out. So, out we went again and this time, she did #2. Back to bed and by now it was after midnight. I checked the radar again and everything still seemed to be going north or south of us . . til I got back to sleep and then the thunder began . . a little after 1 a.m. Rita was in a panic. I managed to keep her quiet enough that Vince could sleep. By a little after 2, she was calm enough that I went back to bed . . til it all started again about 3:15. I got up with her and shortly before 4, the thunder was so loud, it woke Vince. Only old Speck managed to sleep through all this. It was almost 5 a.m. by the time the weather calmed down and Rita calmed down and I went back to bed. I didn’t even hear Vince’s alarm go off so he got himself off to work but both dogs were expecting breakfast and the chickens needed out so I was up again by 7.
Rita in Bed
I came in from letting the chickens out, went to make the bed and look who’s back in bed! She can’t (I don’t think) jump in the bed because it’s tall but she can jump in the chair and then get into the bed.
She was looking at me like . . Can’t you see I’m trying to sleep! I had a rough night last night! How well I know!
I managed to get through the day with about a 10 minute afternoon nap. Last night we had a night with no storms. Oh, how I love uninterrupted sleep! Tonight . . it’s supposed to do it all again . . thunderstorms, some severe. We’re going to have to give her the meds tonight. I just can’t function with no sleep.
Bless her heart . . she slept all day Friday and slept all through the night. I know it must wear her out too . . she gets so upset. I feel bad for her but I kinda feel bad for me too! I’ve already told Vince . . since he doesn’t have to go to work tomorrow, I’m sleeping through the storms. I can do it . . the reason I get up with her is to try to keep her from waking Vince but if he doesn’t have to go to work, and with Monday being a holiday . . he has dog duty tonight and tomorrow night. Who believes that will happen?
Sandy says
My dog also panics at the sound of thunder and will keep me up until the storm is gone. I have had many sleepless nights! He pants and his anxiety makes his whole body quiver. Nothing I can do will calm him. He’s a big guy and isn’t allowed on beds or any other furniture, unlike Rita!
Diann says
That is an adorable dog picture of Rita. She’s worth the trouble I think. We sit our neighbor’s dog when they travel and he’s DEAF so no problem with storms. In fact you have to walk the house and find where he’s sleeping when they are gone and wake him up for his kibble. He can’t hear the call when you come in and he’s down for the count in slumber and he chooses various rooms when no one is at home.
Carolyn says
Bless her sweet little heart.
Sherrill says
Have you ever considered crating her in another part of the house? Course she might chew/dig her way out of the crate the way she panics. Was just a thought.
Paula Philpot says
Hope the storms are not too bad, seems like you have had alot. Paula in KY
Joyce says
It’s too bad there aren’t doggie ear plugs for dogs like Rita. She needs a soundproof “safe” room when there are storms!
Diana Grindel (Casoppia) says
Yeppers when my dog is that way I get out her Thundershirt. Then she comes and lays by me and we watch tv. Yeppers my dog watches tv, and snoozes away after a bit and then I am again asleep till the next round of storms and she will wake me to get under the covers and hide with her shirt on. But she’s not in panic mode and shaking.
Thank goodness for her Thundershirt.