Thunderous Storms

Sienna ashamed

The sky explodes with light that zig zags.  It booms and the house shakes.  I jump out of my bed and whimper.  I hate storms.  My upright claims, “They’re only storms.  There’s no need to worry.  That’s just lightning and thunder.”   
But I think it’s really monsters moving across the sky.  Their loud voices crack.  Their feet pound into the clouds.  I shudder with fear.  This time, they sound so close that I pee just a little bit. 
I huddle with my upright on her bed.  She strokes my fur and tells me to close my eyes.  But I can’t.  The monsters sound too close.  Joey isn’t scared, but he snuggles next to our upright too.  He falls back asleep, while I keep guard.  If the monsters break apart our roof, I’ll protect my upright!  They can eat Joey.
As Joey and our Upright waken to a gray dawn, I cower in the corner.  I’m embarrassed.  Joey sniffs the area where I peed.  I bow my head in shame.  Only puppies pea in the house and I’m not a puppy.  I’m a mature dog who knows better. 
My upright scratches me behind the ears and says, “It’s okay.  That’s easy to clean up.”  Let’s go outside. 
The yard is wet and muddy.  The storm brought rain and wind, but the house still stands.  No monster ate Joey.  Unfortunately. 
I timidly sniff the air, searching for monsters.  I smell only fresh grass and pine needles.
 
Some dogs, dogs like me, are petrified of thunder storms.  We will never get used to them.  But there are some things you, our uprights, can do to make us feel better:

• Pet us, hold us.  Tell us in a soothing voice that everything will be okay.
• Classical music.  Some dogs, such as me, find classical music very soothing and relaxing.  I enjoy Mozart and Beethoven, the most.
• Thunder shirts work for some dogs, but not for me.  They make me hot, so then I pant more.  Now, I’m scared and uncomfortable!
• Let us snuggle with you.  Please, don’t leave us alone in a crate during a storm.  If we are especially scared of thunder, this will only make us more scared.
• Please understand that loud noises, such as thunder, can sometimes make us have accidents. 
• A blankie or stuffed animal can sometimes provide comfort during this stressful time. 

Thank you for being kind to your dog.  
 

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