Oh, the Indignity!

After the last thunderstorm, when Georgia kept me up until 4 AM, I’ve been searching for some thing that will calm her down, relieve her anxiety and let me sleep. Admittedly, the thunderstorm season is drawing to a close, so I may not have too much more time to find a solution this year, but still seeking any kind of solution puts me a leg up on next year. Plus, it’s not just thunderstorms, it’s also fireworks and firecrackers, the ice-maker in my fridge, the beeping of the oven timer, etc…

So, I tried anti-anxiety medication, which did not work, at all. It could be because the dosage was not right. I’ve also heard about melatonin, dog appeasing pheromones and the Thundershirt.  So, the first thing I’ve tried is the Thundershirt.

And, I actually think it might be working, but not because it wraps the dog in comfort. No, it’s the indignity of it. I put it on her and she looked at me like I’d just embarrassed her in front of her peers. I’d stolen her dignity.

This evening something freaked her out and she was pacing and pulling furniture around so I put it on her again and it definitely calmed her down, she would just stand there very close to me. After a while she finally lay down, on my foot.

Maybe I have a winner, at least for me!

Fireworks Anxiety on the 4th of July

I know it’s a little late for this, but Georgia and I didn’t have the most enjoyable 4th of July holiday. Oh, the fireworks. Just about every dog has a problem with fireworks and for Georgia it’s not so much the really big firework shows, it’s the little firecrackers people set off in their backyards. This actually happens all summer long as kids think it’s a really cool pastime.

 

Hiding is one coping mechanism

 

 

 

 

Footprints in the bathtub

Storm season and the thunder we got last night drove Georgia into the bathtub. I forgot and so had to add cleaning the tub to my morning routine.

My German Shepherd Themed Kitchen

I’ve had my new kitchen for a week now and I love it. But, I’m also kind of afraid of it. I’m afraid of using it to spoil all it’s newness. Here are my top moments from the week.

* Dishwashers are magic. You can turn it on before you go to bed and when you wake up you magically have clean dishes.

* Sometimes I just stand and look at it. It’s beautiful. I’ve patted myself on the back quite a few times. I did a really good job of picking everything out.

* A new microwave is powerful. Things cook in just about the time the package says, no need to add time to make up for a 20-year-old microwave.

* Finally used the smooth cook top today after a whole week because I wasn’t quite sure how to use it and it took me that long to unpack the pots and pans. It worked great.

* I will likely need all sorts of new kitchen accoutrements to fit in the space and maximize use of it.

* Georgia is a little afraid of the kitchen too. The oven is still burning off that new smell. The timers all beep differently, they don’t let you forget the time has ended. The ice maker makes all sorts of odd sounds. I’m hoping all these things will prevent her from trying to get into the fridge or the garbage.

* I realized I have a German Shepherd themed kitchen. It’s all black and tan and cream.

German Shepherd Theme Kitchen

Finding Safe Haven

So, it’s the start of thunderstorm season and Georgia has already become familiar with her hideout. It’s gotten worse over the last couple of years ever since she was outside when a really loud crack happened.  My strategy is to not be solicitous and make a big deal about it. The consequence: my bathtub gets cleaned more frequently!

Hiding from the thunder

Waiting out the storm

Those sensitive canine ears

If you have a dog in the house, make sure you replace your smoke detector battery. My smoke detector started chirping yesterday, warning me that the battery was low. When I get home from work, I see Georgia slinking around the house and then she went into the backyard and didn’t want to come in. Initially, I didn’t get it, but finally figured out that she was freaked out by that chirping, she was whining and wimpering up a storm. I immediately changed the battery. I almost didn’t get her to come in so we could go for a walk.  But all was resolved, after our walk I don’t think she even remembered that she was upset.