Monday, January 11, 2021

CALLIE IS NOT HANDLING THIS

Ever since the terrible 6th day of January, Callie has been acting strange.  At first I am sure she responded to my shock and horror of that day but I don't know what is happening to her now. 

She is totally underfoot and won't leave my side. She only goes out for the necessities and then wants right back in. Sometimes I watch her to make sure she does pee or poop for she is only out for minutes. Not like her. Normally she chases critters around and is out for quite a while. Now she just wants in and near me.

Lately if I am watching TV on the couch, she is glued to my leg with her head in my lap. Normally she forsakes me in favor of the bed. She loves to stretch out and TV just isn't her thing.

If I am at the computer, she is right on the corner of the bed behind my back. She is tense and alert with her head up, staring at the back of my head.  I can almost feel her.  She only goes to sleep if I do. 

I really don't think she is physically sick for her appetite is excellent, nose is moist and elimination is normal.   I really am beginning to worry about her mental health though. I feel I have made the necessary adjustments to the situation we are facing and don't think I am sending off any distress vibes. Perhaps she is picking up something from me that I am not aware of. She acts worried about me which makes me worried about her.

Have you noticed a change in your pet, child or spouse towards you since that dreadful day? Kind of a new protective and solicitous nature? Or are you the one displaying that towards a loved one?  I'm hoping her behavior is more universal than abnormal.

63 comments :

  1. I haven't noticed any symptoms of worry from our Fuzzy Pomeranian, but he does know and worry if I have high blood sugar, or am taking antibiotics, because he insists on licking my legs if I have any of that going on, and he knows I don't like him to lick my legs. Your Callie may be worried about something going on with you that you haven't noticed yet. Our Fuzzy is deaf so he doesn't notice if me or my husband cuss when a certain President is on TV rabble rousing.

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    1. susie,
      I think you may be right about her picking up on my stress from what all has been going on. It is really hard to internalize all this mess.

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  2. My dog only does this when she is not feeling well and wants to be on me like glue. I'm sorry I can't be of help. It's so awful when they can't tell us what is going on! Can you just call the vet? I hope you find the reason soon Patti.

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    1. Margaret,
      Usually when she doesn't feel good, she toes off by herself. Still I will watch her very carefully. This morning she seems more relaxed around me. Hope we are getting past it.

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  3. Animals are so sensitive and she is worried about you, clearly. It may be she senses the miasma that is a dark cloud over our country right now. We all should be worried and praying for our better angels to appear.

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    1. Olga,
      Think you are right. It would be impossible for her not to feel something what with all that has gone on. I know I am.

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  4. Slim is acting the very same way. I attributed it to her age...she is 15. But now you make me wonder. My stress levels are high because I am trying to keep my mouth shut while screaming inside. Frankie, my young dog, could care less. She just checks me for treats.

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    1. Granny,
      Sorry Slim is going through a similar thing but it makes me feel a bit more relieved that it most likely isn't anything wrong with Callie. She is just worried about me.

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  5. Aw Patti, this sure was a heart-tugging read (as were your reader’s comments). I hope in the months ahead, people exceptionally close to their dogs like you & Callie see a positive change. With Trump & the pandemic, you’ve probably been carrying around a good bit of dismay. How is your right arm/wrist doing? Callie is probably worried for you there too.

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    1. Doug,
      Oh yes, the weight Trump has added to our angst is immeasurable. Pretty sure she is picking up on that.
      My wrist is doing just fine since I have gone lefty on the mouse. Simple fix. Thanks for asking.

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    2. Remember to still occasionally use your right hand too.

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  6. I'm guessing she's feeling more anxious for some (the obvious!) reason. We lost our dog last year, but she got very clingy when she got scared. These days my daughter is in touch with me more often, seems more solicitous ... should be good but now I'm worried it's bad!

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    1. Tom,
      We all tend to gravitate to our loved ones for either to provide or receive comfort during stressful times. Sounds like that is what your daughter is doing.

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  7. I wish I had an answer. I wonder if Callie is sensing the stress of these times and feeling the need to be close to you. She is your protector and wants to be there for you. Makes me want to google around to see if people are telling similar stories about their much-loved pets. Take care there. Give Callie a sweet loving pet from her faraway friend-- me!

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    1. robin,
      Callie loved her pet from California. Thanks.
      I do believe especially after reading the comments that she is zeroing in on my stress and it is effecting her. I need to give her more attention.

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  8. Levi has been acting in a clingy way since Wednesday's coup attempt. I fully believe our furry kids pick up on our moods even when we don't thing we are outwardly acting any different. I haven't been as stressed as I am now since 9-11 and I'm sure that is true for most of us. I'm glad you brought this up because I think a little extra attention might be good for both Levi and me.

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    1. Jean,
      Think you are right and both our babies need some extra care right now. Plan to make that a priority today.

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  9. Maybe, something is wrong with your health and your dog has picked up on it. Take care.

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    1. gigi,
      Think you are right and hope it is my mental health which is suffering right now that she is focusing on.

      Delete
  10. Let's just hope it's a phase she's going thru. I DO believe all animals have a 6th sense tho. Did something scare her? Have you left her alone to shop? Our dog ...while we were on a weekend trip had a scare (car accident, according to our neighbor who fed him while we were gone) in front of our driveway. He was nervous for a long time afterward...didn't want to leave our side.
    I personally think she has no idea about jan.6th tho. Just my opinion.

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    1. Anni,
      She hasn't been alone much at all due to Covid. We are joined at the hip. Don't think she was frightened. She could have picked up on MY horror at what was coming from the TV with the violence and all. I guess only she knows the real reason.
      Regardless, she will get extra attention for a while.

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  11. I no longer have a pup, but they are VERY sensitive to our feelings and our stress levels.

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    1. Barb,
      You are right which is why they make such great service animals.

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  12. Since we no longer have our cats, we can't really contribute here (referring to Jan.6th). But I do know that when we had tornado warnings, Julie (one of our cats) would stick close to us and follow us throughout the house. So yes, animals do seem to be sensitive to dangers as well as owner's feelings... So my guess is that she is picking on on your feelings.

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    1. Rian,
      Thanks to the commenters like you I think she really is catching my stress that I only thought I was handling.

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  13. Oh, so sweet. Simpatico! Animals just seem to know. Enjoy her company.

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    1. Awkward Widow,
      Now that I am pretty sure she is not sick. I will--Thanks.

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  14. I feel more clingy myself, and I don't like to have hubby too far away these days. I was really feeling traumatized by Wednesday, but I don't have an animal to worry about. Other than me and my partner, that is. :-)

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    1. Djan,
      These are really unsettling times with Covid and riots so I guess clingy is good. Glad you have SG to look after and to have him look after you.

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  15. What with my hip surgery recovery just entering its second week, I am still quite dependent on my husband, but I sense he is getting weary of these duties, and I'm sure some of that is because of our national crisis. I have to work at being even tempered too.

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    1. Linda,
      Sure glad you have Tom to look after you and know it must be hard for you both with everything else going on. Be good to eachother.

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  16. I think she realizes the world is a little cray cray right now. I sure hope the world calms down soon. We will all feel better then.

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    1. Sue,
      Cray cray might describe it well. Not sure we have ever seen anything like this and hope to never see it again.

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  17. No dog here, but gr-daughters have a delightful dog called Lucy. When we visit, she is so happy to see us. Don't get that very often!

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    1. Susan,
      So glad your gr-daughters have Lucy looking after them for some extra comfort.

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  18. I have a very self-centered cat, but even she can read my emotions and gets cuddly when I'm in turmoil. What a sweet dog to try to support you, although I know it must be worrisome.

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    1. Margaret,
      Cats get a bad rap but can be quite affectionate when needed. I'm just glad Callie isn't sick.

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  19. I was very upset but live alone with my cat Annie. But all the stuff she heard from the screen--the yelling, screaming, shouting, bangs--people with stressed voices--and then my sending off stress I probably didn't even realize...she has been watching me closely. Literally staring at me sometimes. You are not the only one with a pet paying closer attention and maybe giving you some comfort by sticker closer by. When I am off doing something creative in the other room--she takes a nap--lol! She knows I am calmer and more peaceful in there. Children and critters can pick up much more than we think they do. :)

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    1. Rita,
      Thanks for letting me know Callie isn't sick but just normal for these trying times. I hadn't thought about all the sharp noises the riot produced. That alone might have caused some angst for the pets.
      I am glad Annie is there to lend you a caring paw. That staring is weird isn't it?

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    2. And a lot of upset, stressed people's voices telling us what happened when all the reporters came on, even. We don't think a bout them watching or listening to TV but Annie sat on the arm of my chair and actually stared at the screen off and on like she could tell something bad was going on. Animals have good instincts and sense things. They even can pick up on earthquakes and such before they happen, right? So I shouldn't have been surprised my cat was keeping an eye on me--literally. Especially the first couple days when that was almost all I was watching--LOL!

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  20. January 6th? Was that the riots at the White House? It's possible that Callie is picking up on your worry for her which in turn is feeding her worry for you. I have no advice on what to do, apart from contacting your vet and maybe getting a mild tranquiliser for her and see if that helps.

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    1. River,
      I am sure now that she picked up on my stress. I have made a conscious effort to speak to her in a higher pitched voice with a smile it and it seemed to work. A little baby talk for her seems to have made her feel all is right again. She is almost ignoring me now.

      Delete
  21. Mine have been busy protecting me from a new coyote pack that showed up this morning. Living with a person with the emotional ups and downs of type 1 diabetes, they are used to my upsets. Which Samson takes calmly but always upset Faith. Much to my constant regrets.

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    1. Inger,
      I know how you feel about causing Faith to be concerned. I hate doing it to Callie and think I have finally convinced her that I am all right. She has quit clinging.

      Delete
  22. I do not have a pet but I would bet she is reacting to vibes that you don't even think you have. All 3 of my children have dogs and they've all told me how sensitive their dogs are to any thing that they see as a change in their owners. Last Wednesday was such a horrendous insurrection and I don't see how you could not be affected by it.

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    1. Ginnie,
      That is one reason they make great service animals. I am sure that was her problem and I have worked on a cheerful attitude since and it seem to be working.

      Delete
  23. Since I live alone, have no pets, and family contact is only virtual across the country I don't have a situation where I have noticed any behavioral changes in others or myself since Jan. 6th. That is strange about about your Callie. You may have unconscious vibes of which you are unaware, or the idea she senses your anxiousness about her and it's a feedback cycle between the two of you.

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    1. Joared,
      I am sure it was subconsciously the vibes I was giving off that she sensed. I feel badly for causing her anxiety but she seems fine today. I made a concentrated effort to act cheerful. She believes me.

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  24. Maybe your initial response? gave her a scare about your well-being? Lots of loving probably is the best way forward until she is sure you are ok. Who knows what goes on in their heads!💖

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    1. Susan,
      I'm sure you are right. I started faking it that I was just fine and she perked right up.

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  25. Having never owned a dog I wouldn't really know. I hope you are both okay and that she starts to relax again. This is a strange time for all us, including our pets.

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    1. Joey,
      We both relaxed and it has worked wonders. Yes it is a strange time.

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  26. It's the 14th now, and how is she?

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    1. Mage,
      She is back to normal now and I am so grateful. Thanks for asking.

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  27. Dogs are Pack Animals and are keen at sensing the Mood of their Pack... I suspect so much is abnormal now compared to how it used to be that it's sensed by our Animal Kingdom Friends and how they convey their concerns or dismay are something we can pick up on in that unspoken language between Species. You've got each other and that is worth 1,000++++++++ Words in any Language.

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    1. Bohemian,
      Yes they are and since I am theoretically her pack leader, she followed my lead. She sensed what I never said out loud. Amazing connection we sometimes forget is there.

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  28. We don’t have any pets, BUT I do notice Art and I occasionally getting more irritated with each other or sometimes blowing up quietly. It’s all fine. We deal with it. But it does happen and we have to watch and guard against it. I think you’re right that Callie might be feeling your agitation. It’s a scary time right now.

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    1. Kay,
      With all the turmoil today, we can't help but have unusual interactions with those who share our forced smaller space. Pretty sure Callie has been picking up on my stress.

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  29. Pets too have their moments of insecurity.

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    1. Haddock,
      Thank you for stopping by and commenting and yes, I think you are so right.

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  30. Dear Patti, I haven't noticed the three cats with whom I live acting any differently, but then they are solitary creatures who nap most of the day and look to me for food and a lap/chest on which to lie. And I am lying down a lot because the turmoil--insurrection-quagmire--debacle--whatever anyone wants to call it has surely affected my sense of what President let lose when he encouraged hatred, racism, and xenophobia. So it's myself and not the cats who are acting differently, but I suspect that Callie has truly picked upon our own un-ease. Take care of both of you. Peace.

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