Here is the mid-Hudson Valley, we've had a couple of real thunderstorm doozies over the last few days. There was even a tornado warning last night in Dutchess County.
This video shows you a little of my world when the skies open up.
And believe it or not, Kate's a lot better than she used to be.
Showing posts with label thunderstorms. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thunderstorms. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Poor Kate
Thunderstorms are moving through the Hudson Valley this afternoon. Of course, it was bright and sunny when I left for lunch/walkies.
By the time I picked up a couple slices of pizza — hey, Kate loves the crusts — there were dark clouds to the east of Poughkeepsie.
After we both enjoyed the pizza, it was time to take Kate out for a quick piddle.
No sooner did we set foot outside than a clap of thunder sounded and Kate's tail went under her legs. The poor thing. She immediately turned back toward the house. I followed.
It's going to be a long wait until I get back home later. But she'll be fine.
Thunder and fireworks. Poor Kate.
By the time I picked up a couple slices of pizza — hey, Kate loves the crusts — there were dark clouds to the east of Poughkeepsie.
After we both enjoyed the pizza, it was time to take Kate out for a quick piddle.
No sooner did we set foot outside than a clap of thunder sounded and Kate's tail went under her legs. The poor thing. She immediately turned back toward the house. I followed.
It's going to be a long wait until I get back home later. But she'll be fine.
Thunder and fireworks. Poor Kate.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Scaredy dog
Today here in the mid-Hudson Valley we had our first really bad thunderstorm of the spring.
I managed to get home during my lunch break just as the skies opened up with rain and wind and lightning — and thunder. Lots of thunder.
Kate met me at the back door with her tail tucked under, and she was quivering. This is typical thunderstorm behavior for her. When we lived in the concrete of Manhattan, Kate was never bothered by thunderstorms.
It wasn't until we moved to Shekomeko and lived in a 19th-century wood frame cottage that Kate became scared of bad weather. (I wasn't too wild about it either.)
Even without Accuweather.com, I knew when a storm was approaching because the pooch would start shaking and panting. Until the storm had passed completely out of the area, she was inconsolable. At first I tried to comfort her, but it never made any difference. Remember, you can't reason with pets.
Then I read that making a fuss when they are scared, billing and cooing over them, can only serve to reinforce the shaking and panting behavior. They are thinking that our paying attention to them is a good thing. So today, it was business as usual.
As soon as the storm passed — there was horizontal rain at one point — I got the leash. Hooked up Kate. Went outside. Kate, sensing another approaching storm, pulled me back into the house. OK, that was a really short and unproductive walk.
Yes, there are medications for pets who are severely affected by thunderstorms. But I don't think Kate reaches that level. Plus, who wants to keep your dog drugged up during the entire spring? And experts say that you can desensitize the dog by playing thunder sounds at increasing levels. Really, who has time for that?
I'm still trying to work brushing Kate's fur and teeth into my schedule on a regular basis.
I managed to get home during my lunch break just as the skies opened up with rain and wind and lightning — and thunder. Lots of thunder.
Kate met me at the back door with her tail tucked under, and she was quivering. This is typical thunderstorm behavior for her. When we lived in the concrete of Manhattan, Kate was never bothered by thunderstorms.
It wasn't until we moved to Shekomeko and lived in a 19th-century wood frame cottage that Kate became scared of bad weather. (I wasn't too wild about it either.)
Even without Accuweather.com, I knew when a storm was approaching because the pooch would start shaking and panting. Until the storm had passed completely out of the area, she was inconsolable. At first I tried to comfort her, but it never made any difference. Remember, you can't reason with pets.
Then I read that making a fuss when they are scared, billing and cooing over them, can only serve to reinforce the shaking and panting behavior. They are thinking that our paying attention to them is a good thing. So today, it was business as usual.
As soon as the storm passed — there was horizontal rain at one point — I got the leash. Hooked up Kate. Went outside. Kate, sensing another approaching storm, pulled me back into the house. OK, that was a really short and unproductive walk.
Yes, there are medications for pets who are severely affected by thunderstorms. But I don't think Kate reaches that level. Plus, who wants to keep your dog drugged up during the entire spring? And experts say that you can desensitize the dog by playing thunder sounds at increasing levels. Really, who has time for that?
I'm still trying to work brushing Kate's fur and teeth into my schedule on a regular basis.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
