After getting in bed, I read for a few minutes before turning off the Kindle. I always fall right to sleep and nothing wakes me up but I was awakened within half an hour of having fallen asleep by rain pounding on the metal roof. It was really coming down and briefly, it sounded like small hail hitting the window. Then I saw lightning in the distance and knew if it thundered, Rita was going to panic and who knew how long it would take her to calm down.
It took a few minutes but as the storm moved closer, the thunder was audible and, as expected, Rita instantly became a basket case. My spot in the bed was too warm. I didn’t want to get up and get her Thunder Shirt. The rain was not in our forecast, and thunder was definitely absent from the forecast, at least the one I saw. If I know there’s a chance of thunder, I stick the Thunder Shirt by the bed. But, not last night!
The rain lasted only a few minutes but it was very hard rain so I was hoping we had received a decent amount. The weather station tells me it was .13 inches. Not enough!
As the storm moved out of our area, we could still hear the thunder. Rita probably heard it much longer than I did. I thought maybe if I kept my hand very near her, not touching her but close enough that she knew I was there, she would relax. She didn’t. As the thunder was growing more and more distant, she put her paw on my hand . . maybe for assurance that I was close and she wasn’t alone . . and she went back to sleep.
I wonder if she was born afraid of the thunder or, if something in her past has taught her to be afraid of the thunder. I wonder how long she lived in the woods before we rescued her. I saw her in the driveway and it was about two weeks before Vince caught her. I looked at the weather history for the month before we got her and that was .2″ of rain once . . September . . never much rain that time of year. We’ll never know why she is the way she is. She doesn’t want to be held. She bristles when we pet her. She wants to be left alone . . but know we are nearby.
Many of you have written me to thank us for what we do for the stray/wild critters out here. It’s rescuing Rita and giving her a safe home that makes me happiest . . even when she keeps me awake at night because of thunder. I hope that if ever I’m terribly afraid, there will be someone there to keep their hand near me to remind me I am not going through it alone.
danielle says
I think it is interesting how so many dogs are afraid of the loud noises. Maybe fear of the unknown? Our rescue does not like being held either – unless HE asks for it. And even then it is usually very briefly. But when he is cold and/or scared he will cuddle next to someone – if no one else is available even next to the big dog. Who funnily enough, when she is in strange circumstances, wants to be right next to the smaller one!
Cilla says
I have a mini male Dachshund Who came to me at 8 months old. Just a pup with those puppy brains that are so cute to watch. Afraid of nothing and very cuddly. Two years ago he started to tremble and bury his head in my lap. No thunder, no storm. Just like radar the rains came, a bit later there was thunder. Full blown shivering and so close to me you would think we were glued together. Nothing helps. I know, I just rambled but I wanted to say it may be somethin or nothing at all to bring on the shakes. I give Rescue Remedy as soon as she starts pricking her ears up.
Judy Laquidara says
Dogs supposedly can hear things 4 times farther away than humans so that’s why I feel that as the storm moves out of our area, Rita is still panicky because she hears the thunder and I don’t. We’ve tried Rescue Remedy and it didn’t seem to help her. The Thunder Shirt does help her a bit . . not completely, but we have to get it on her before the panic beings.
Carolyn says
The next time you hear a cloud coming pull her close to your stomach and keep a hand on her. Your breathing and the comfort of security will calm her. It may take several storms for this work, but don’t give up. I did this for Paddington when he was little and he still at age 12 snuggles next to me. I love providing that security for him. Yes, I promised him as a baby I would everything possible to keep him safe.
dezertsuz says
Your last line touched my heart. I hope so, too.
Pat Anderson says
We rescued a puppy mill dog (she stopped having healthy puppies we were told)–they thought she was about 6 1/2 when we got her, but who knows? She never did relax and become a “normal” dog. The only place she could relax was in our bed…we assume because it was a new experience. Our male mini-schnauzer (also rescued at 6 years old but not abused) taught Muffin to go to the bathroom outside and gave her a little bit of security. She wouldn’t even go past us to go outside unless we got behind the door. She would go stiff when we picked her up–I assume she had been dropped or thrown. When she was about 12 years old, they said she needed heart surgery. Our male had died a few months earlier so she was alone. I told the vet that we wouldn’t do anything to prolong her life because she never relaxed and was afraid of everything. We gave her some good years and she was a sweet girl, just tormented. I don’t understand cruelty to animals at all. Rita is a lucky girl!
Nelle Coursey says
I saw the lightening and there was a VERY loud clap of thunder! It rained here on Thursday night and then again on Saturday night. Like you, I did not see storms in the forecast. The Dallas weather said there would be “small chances” of showers to the South of them!! I didn’t think a thing about it until that Clap of thunder almost jolted me out of bed!!
Barbara says
This was so sweet, you have such a kind heart towards animals.