Aug 12, 2011
Baby steps…..
…one step at a time, one day at a time. One hug at a time.
Hugs is certainly what Carmeh needed last night. The forecast was for a storm, oh but what an intense storm it was. The skies were totally lit up with lightening and of course the thunder was deafening. I certainly felt one extremely close strike as my bottom vibrated on the lounger. The news called it “The Perfect Storm”. Not sure exactly why, probably because of the 40mm of rain that fell in a short time which protected the area from forest fires. There were close to 400 strikes in less then 3 hours and 18 of them in downtown Kelowna in less than 10 minutes. An entire road caved in and has to be rebuilt due to this system. There were 6 wildfires, 22 situations of flooding and many power outages. The sky was magnificent with all the electrical arcs. However I was dealing with Carmeh, one extremely frightened 8 year old doxie. She was petrified. I know that many animals get upset during storms and fireworks.
Once when she was very young we had a major breakdown somewhere between Puerto Escondido and Acapulco in almost the middle of nowhere. It was very jungle like which was fine but when we finally got towed into a small village, about 10PM ( for those in the know, the Pemex held 4 cars), is when the trouble started. It was the Friday night of a major religious celebration and the fireworks were going off loudly and in every direction. This went on for hours and hours. Poor Carmeh was frightened but we were unable to deal with her as one of us was with the RV and the other with the car. She was in the RV but alone with a tiny puppy. Thinking back this is where her intense aversion to these loud noises must have begun. There also was no place for the dogs to to their business other than in the midst of this chaos on hard packed dirt. They didn’t empty their bladders for close to 2 days. Meanwhile us adults were a bit stressed as the RV was right on the edge of the highway and we swayed with each passing vehicle. I will never forget that night nor will the dogs, I’m certain. When I finally got back inside the RV about 1AM I could not find Carmeh and panicked. She was found hiding underneath the gas peddle. Later I found her trying to get under the RV toilet. Poor thing. Caeli, who was a puppy at the time is not as affected but reacts more to Carmeh’s discomfort rather the noise and begins to shake.
So here she was at the worst of Wednesdays' storm hiding under the toilet. Finally we were able to coax her out and spent the rest of the evening giving her lovies.
I felt so bad for the girls that I went online for a solution. Google always seems to have the answer. There are now thunder shirts for dogs. The shirt acts as a gentle pressure on the dog creating a sense of calm. If you saw the movie Temple Grandin, you will remember how she developed a theory that is used today to help calm people as well as animals. The shirts are $36.00 and can be used in a variety of other problem areas with dogs. I will be ordering two of them as soon as we head south!
I wonder if someone makes thunder shirts for humans? Of course not, that’s what hugs are for! Hugs to all my friends out there.
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Scooter has a thundercoat. And it really does help. She still gets freaked out but not near as bad as she used to. It’s really been a blessing for us. Skittlez is like Caeli – she just reacts to Scooter. It is so sad to see these babies so scared.
Sandie…..good to know about the thunder coat.
Elaine….I am aware of Rescue Remedy, never heard of ‘stress X’. Will it work on me? Just joking. Never thought of Rescue Remedy, I have some so will try it.
George, according to all the latest news articles we are lucky to have got thru the storm with few problems. One of the palm pots on the beach site got turned over but for once the ppot remained intact.
Nancy, thanks for tip. I will try your suggestion. If it works and I save the money I’ll buy you & Paul dinner/lunch at our favorite restaurant on the Isla. That is, if it’s still there.
Our Lilly is petrified of thunder and fireworks…and she head for the flush room in the RV….we have discovered an all natural substance called “rescue remedy” also known as “stress X”….a couple of drops helps….there are no drugs in it at all…now tucker? nothing he likes better than to stand up on the sofa and watch the storm..lol I might look into the thundercoat when we get to the US….
take care travel safe
Elaine
(Rick lilly and tucker too)
Nice to have the “prefect storm” I guess, but not fun when Carma is so frightened, glad you got thru it all.
We’ve had good luck following the advice of the Dog WHisperer. We don’t give affection when they are in an anxious state. We are calm and they are allowed to sit by us but we don’t pet them at all. If you pet them it reinforces the anxious state, basically approving of their anxiety.
We’ve had very good luck with this. Henry used to tremble and drool and go behind the toilet. Now he will get up on the bed or the couch next to us and if a real big blast comes he might tremble a little but that’s it.
You might try it and see, but it has taken us a while to make a difference.
Whiskey is the same with lightening and loud fireworks, especially the kind they use in Mexico and she also tries to hide up under the dash or under the dinette . She never used to be like that when she was a puppy, it grew as she got older, not sure exactly when it really began. Our heart really goes out to her when she is so stressed.
Kevin and Ruth
Kevin….you may want to give a few of the ideas offered in the comments a try with Whskey.
Hi, Contessa,
Mr. Dog doesn’t like the sound of raindrops on the skylight. After living in Merida for almost 7 years he isn’t afraid of firecrackers or thunder, he hates rain and lightening though. He hides when it’s bath time and sits there shaking while I bath him.
Our vet said that we could try getting him earphones and playing music for him during storms. I never could figure out a way to get earphones on a dog with floppy ears. Then what happens if he walks away from the stereo? I don’t have an Ipod or Walman so I can’t just attach something to a harness.
regards,
Theresa