Monday, April 1, 2019

WEATHER DOG


I was stretched out on the bed just resting for a bit.  Suddenly I was joined by a very
nervous dog.   Aw crap, there must be a storm coming for Callie has a real fear of them.   I listened carefully and heard the rumbles of thunder growing closer.

Knowing I would have a heartbreaking basket case on my hands soon as the storm got on top of us, I pulled her to me and held her close, talking softly to her.  For a while she calmed down but as the rumbles got closer, she tensed up again. 

As the rains hit and the thunder got closer, her panic grew.  She trembled violently .   I tried to comfort her but this time she stayed rigid, shaking and panting.  Callie doesn't have the best breath so panting is not what we go for. 

Then suddenly she pulled away from me and sat up. Her eyes grew wild, her body spasmodically jerked and her head snapped to the right.  A second later, I heard a thunder clap  that sounded like it was right on top of my house.  The lightning strike had to have been really close. The thing is, she knew it a second before the sound occurred so it wasn't the sound that made her jerk in a spastic manner.


  
I started thinking that maybe she actually got a static charge as the lightning struck near by.  Off to Google I went.  This is what I found and it makes perfect sense. 

Although dogs can't exactly hear lightning, they are indeed more sensitive to drops in the barometric pressure and shifts in the static electric field that happens right before weather changes.  Researchers even believe that dogs may experience shocks from the static electricity during thunder storms.

That would have explained her acting like she had been hit by a cattle prod right before that clap of thunder.   Hey, If I got a shock when thunder rolled and lightning zapped about, I'd be a bit panicky with storms and loud noises.

I no longer think of my dog as just being an inconsolable, heartbreaking little storm weenie and hopefully I can find a way to help her. 

There is supposedly a garment for dogs  called a Storm Defender Cape
that will dissipate the static charge but it seems to not be available right now.  

Also checking into a Thunder Shirt  though I doubt that would stop the actual shock but may give her some comfort. Worth a try.  Any of you all ready tried one and did it work?

Hum, do cats feel the shocks also? I really don't know for if Minnie does, she just hides. I will have to be more conscious of Minnie with the next storm. 

Do you have pets that have storm terrors?

58 comments :

  1. Levi is not afraid of storms at all but we had a dog once who was terrified and who sit in the bath tub. My SIL bought a thunder shirt for her dog but claimed it didn't help, but it looked too big to me. A friend's dog was helped by one. The 'cap' sounds interesting. Do let us know if you buy one.

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    1. Jean,
      When I was doing my research it said dogs will often sit in tubs or sinks so they are grounded. Wonder how they figure that out.

      Delete
  2. Oh your poor Callie. I think dogs have so many more ways of sensing what is happening around them than we realize. I believe their sense of smell is much greater than we can even imagine. Maybe she smells the ions changing in the air, or the singed scent of lightning strikes that hit something far away.

    The big Collie my family had when I was a child was an outside dog. He was never afraid of storms until one time, when he was older, lightning struck very near our yard. After that storms made him nervous while they were going on.

    Our little Fuzzy Pomeranian is 14 years old and deaf now. He now sleeps right through storms, but storms didn't bother him before he was deaf. Sometimes he will wake from a deep sleep and start barking at a cat, dog, rabbit that is in our front yard. Their scent must come to him in his sleep. The other night I was feeling down in the dumps and had a silent session of tears running down my face. He woke up from a sound sleep and hurried over to me to comfort me, just like he always did when he could still hear. I used to think that he heard my breathing change when tears came, but now that he is deaf, I think he must have smelled my tears. I don't know how normal tears in my eyes that keep my eyeballs moisturized would smell different when they run down down my cheeks, but that is the only explanation I can think of for him knowing that tears were running down my cheeks, when he was sound asleep with his eyes closed.

    I hope you can find a way to calm sweet Callie when the storms come.


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    1. susie,
      Thanks for stopping by and commenting. It is amazing the different senses dogs have. Some can tell when our blood sugar is too low, some can tell when a seizure is coming on, others don't seem capable of either yet have other keen senses.
      What a sweetie you have to sense your pain and offer comfort.

      Delete
  3. I'm sorry you and your Callie are dealing with this. How heartbreaking! I know those that use those "coats" for their dogs and they say it calms them during a storm. I never asked about "shocks" that is news to me. Thankfully my dog isn't bothered by thunder or storms. I'm sorry.

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    1. Peggy,
      I am getting good feedback on the coats so I will probably try it on Callie. Can't hurt and may help.

      Delete
  4. Poor thing! I hope you find something to help her during those storms. I am now wondering if she does get shocks and that is why she gets so terrified? I would, too!

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    1. Djan,
      I really think she felt a shock for her startled reaction came before the clap of thunder. Me too, you would only have to shock me once to make me a believer:)

      Delete
  5. Interesting. No wonder dogs can act so squirrelly around storm brewings. One morning our watch cat jumped up on the bed and, standing on my head, started growling at the window. Seconds later -- a mild earthquake.

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    1. Olga,
      Wow, animals really beat us every time with their sharp senses. Your cat was incredible.

      Delete
  6. My dogs do not seem to mind storms. They do know when one is coming and will get inside before it arrives. I know that as well because I check the weather report every morning:-) Poor Callie. That has to be awful for her.

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    1. Annie,
      How fortunate your dogs are not sensitive to storms and noise. I guess not all are. It makes their lives much more comfortable and stressless.

      Delete
  7. Max loves, loves loves his thunder shirt....it works well for him. Hope it helps your little girl.

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    1. BlueRidge Boomer,
      Good to see you here. You have been missed. Thanks for the rave review. That is what I was looking for.

      Delete
  8. Wow that is quite an interesting story about Callie and lightning. I love learning something new like this. I've seen dogs respond wildly about fireworks and thunder, but never knew about their sensitivity to barometric pressure and static field. I'm glad Callie had you for comfort, Patti.

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    1. robin,
      I learned also. I always thought it was just the load noise that scared them. Then I saw her reaction before the actual sound. We learn everyday don't we?

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  9. Not heard this before. I hope you find something that will help Callie get through the storms.

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    1. Fun60,
      Thank you. It was new to me also but at least now I know what I am dealing with so I can help her better.

      Delete
  10. That is really interesting! I had a Lab years ago. I used to joke that she was supposed to be a gun dog, but the sound of thunder scared the crap out of her. It now makes sense, it's not the sound, it is the shock that sometimes follows. If you can find something that takes the shock away Callie will love you even more.

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    1. joeh,
      I too always thought it was just the sound but since I saw her complete reaction I realize that she has been shocked before and she learned loud noises could hurt. I hope I can find a way to make her more comfortable.

      Delete
  11. Wow. I have never thought about the effect of storms on a pet. We didn't have indoor dogs, so we never knew.

    A woman near us a long time ago had a poodle mix, it got out when July 4th fireworks. I never knew where it went.

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    1. Susan,
      That same happened to a friend of mine in Florida and her poodle ended up in NJ. She had been found by a couple in the neighborhood and they took her home with them. The micro chip brought her back to Florida.

      Delete
  12. This is so interesting. With all the dogs that have lived with me, I have never experienced anyone being extremely afraid of thunder. But then, we don't get the kind of storms you do, so maybe that's why. How awful if they actually get a shock. No wonder they are upset.

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    1. Inger,
      I know, that would make me a bit fearful also. Hope you never get the bad lightning storms.

      Delete
  13. Hmmmm--- Haven't had a dog in years --but had a cocker for 16 years. Storms didn't seem to bother her --so I have no idea what to say about poor Callie... I have heard that the thunder shirts can help dogs....

    Bless her heart.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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    1. Betsy,
      I have had a ton of dogs with the shelter and can only remember 2 that were frightened and that was in Florida where we had fierce storms.

      Delete
  14. I've never had a dog so can't tell you. Of my cats, Sasha heads for the basement when there is a storm, while Saku could care less. My son and I often sit out in the sun room watching the storm and Saku is right there with us. I have to assume he isn't affected the way Callie is. Poor girl! Hopefully a shirt or cape will be helpful.

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    1. Eileen,
      It is really strange how some animals are terrified and others can watch unaffected. Not all critters are the same.

      Delete
  15. Patti, I do believe that some animals are sensitive to weather conditions. But possibly not all have this sensitivity... just like all humans don't get migraines when the barometric pressure drops, but some definitely do. Our cats react when there's thunder and lightening... Ghost more so than the other 2. Tux and Julie may look up or jump, but Ghost will take off and hide almost before the rest of us even hear it. They may also smell something different in the air (ozone possibly?) I feel for Callie, but don't know if any of those thunder garments actually work,

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    1. Rian,
      It seems from the comments that you are right. Some are and some are not sensitive. I thing those who respond before the sound are the unlucky ones.

      Delete
  16. I'm sorry to say that I had a dog who is no longer with us that was frantic at thunder. She was a water loving dog and you couldn't water the plants with her around. It took me a long time to realize how afraid she was and even when I did realize, I never knew how to calm her. My life was so full then with young children and work and it was another problem I didn't know how to fix. I wish I could go back and try to offer some sort of comfort.

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    1. Barbara,
      It does take careful notice. I have had Callie for 5 years and knew she was afraid but never saw her react before she heard the sound. That made me think.

      Delete
  17. Oh wow! I had no idea. I guess dogs have it pretty good out here in Hawaii since we rarely have those lightning storms.

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    1. Kay,
      Now Kay, you know EVERYONE has it pretty good in Hawaii:))

      Delete
  18. I've had dogs that preferred to be inside with us during storms, but I don't recall any of them being fearful.

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    1. River,
      I'm beginning to believe that if a dog hasn't had a bad experience like being shocked, they can handle storms.

      Delete
  19. I think dogs may be like people, more sensitive to some things that others are not. I had one dog I couldn't even walk by a mailbox without her trying to get away from it. She was afraid of everything. I don't know what caused it because we were always gentle with her. She died a relatively early death, probably from fright. So sad.

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    1. Snickelfritz,
      Aww that poor baby. Can you imagine being afraid all your life?

      Delete
  20. Chancy does just like Callie does when we have thunderstorms. He really does not do well at all when lightening is real close or strikes something near us. I bought him a Thunder Shirt but it did not help him. I know they help some dogs so maybe Callie would be one that it helps. Chancy does much better if I keep him contained in a small area with me and with all the lights on. Sure hope you can find something to help sweet Callie. I am still searching to find something to help Chancy. Hugs sweet Patti

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    1. Maggie,
      I don't have a lot of faith in the shirts but I will try it just to be sure I am doing everything I can. If I find something that works, I'll let you know.

      Delete
  21. We had a chow-chow who feared storms. If he was outside & lightning struck, he'd chew the door frame trying to get inside. Once he chewed thru chain link fence. I feel sorry for them!!

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    1. Annie,
      Wow, that poor baby really had a terrible fear. Don't know what Callie would do if she were outside.

      Delete
  22. I have a cousin who uses the thunder shirt for her dog. She says it works, but I don't know anything about the electric charge. My cat doesn't do anything when it storms except sleep. I'm the scaredy cat. Maybe I need a thunder short! :)

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    1. Terri,
      Seems the reviews on the thunder shirts is about 50-50. That is enough for me to at least try one.
      Ha ha, let me know if the people version works.

      Delete
  23. WOW...and call your vet too. No longer any animals here. Darn it.

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    1. Mage,
      Sorry you are pet-less but then you don't have these worries. I will ask my vet but pretty sure he will just give me a pill for it. We will see.

      Delete
  24. I had seven dogs. They varied in degree of fear of storms from slighty uncomfortable to freaking out. They were all big an several liked to shelter in our cloths closet...

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    1. Ray,
      It is interesting how some are affected and some are not. I had a chihuahua that would crawl under my recliner but Callie just wants glued to me.

      Delete
  25. We have never had a dog that wasn't terrified of storms. Millie, a hanging tree cattle herding dog, is no exception. Even though she is normally an outside dog, we bring her in when storms are in the area.

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    1. Chip Butter,
      That is really thoughtful of you to bring her inside. Even outside dogs who are normally quite content outside, when scared need comfort.

      Delete
  26. I’ve wondered if those thunder shirts worked on dogs. I thought maybe it was kinda like wrapping newborns tightly, having nothing to do with lightening or thunder, but guess not. A dog we rescued from the Pound years ago was very sensitive we learned later when all in our family at work one afternoon. A sudden storm came up when she was outside and apparently freaked — went over tall block wall around our house. Was gone for several days who knows where. Turned up in the middle of a busy route 66 intersection blocking traffic for 15 mins we were told as a young couple tried to catch her before getting her into someone’s backyard a block away from intersection and also from our house.
    I’d had lots of dogs over the years but don’t recall any of different breeds overly stressed by storms. She was neurotic to begin with we discovered after getting her when she was about a year old so not sure how she had been treated in her early years — possibly spoiled rotten or abused in the name of discipline. Or maybe it was simply genetics and breeding as learned later she was actually a German Short-haired Pointer who acted like a needy puppy even though an adult, demanded attention, was incredibly jealous. I’d had a number of different breeds, and mutts but none as hyper as her.

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    1. Joared,
      Wow, she had some adventure. How fortunate the young couple took the time to make her safe.
      I think the shirts help them feel secure and probably do work like bundling a baby.

      Delete
  27. This is new and interesting info for me. Our dog heads for the bathroom when a thunderstorm threatens ... and into the bathtub if things get really bad. We've tried a thunder shirt, with limited results.

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    1. Tom,
      Several have mentioned the tub routine and from what I can gather from research, dogs do this to become grounded and not bothered by the lightning. They will also hide behind toilets for the same reason. How on earth they discover this I have no idea.

      Delete
  28. I don't have a dog or cat now but I will ask my kids about this. Anything interesting I will pass on to you.

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    1. Ginnie,
      Thanks, I'd appreciate anything you learn.

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  29. I wonder why dogs are so terrified by thunderstorms. Poor things. My late mother's dog was always inconsolable. I have a cat who isn't too bad. We always switch the TV on really loud to soften the sound but she's always a bit twitchy during a storm.
    Around My Kitchen Table

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  30. Years ago we had a dog who was utterly mindless during a thunderstorm, and would spend the entire storm sitting in a fireplace trying to dig his way to safety.
    I noticed he was okay in the car, so I started bundling him in the car and taking him for rides during the storms. As long as I kept the car moving he was fine, and I stuck to the back roads so we could minimize stop lights and stop signs...

    It might be worth a try, I think he felt grounded in the car, and also the idea that we were running away from the storm...

    Caveat: if this happens at 3 AM, be very sure you are decently clothed, and have your purse with you. Trust me. (don't ask)

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