THE PUPPY’S TALE
“I was a very cute, happy, well adjusted puppy. One night when I was blissfully sleeping, there was a terrible thunder storm with brilliant flashes of lightning. Or maybe it was an earthquake or even a tornado. In any case, at the same time as this event, a big heavy book fell off a shelf and hit me on my head. It hurt. My human mother came and comforted me but the pain and shivering didn’t stop for a long time. And from that day on, I believed the sky would fall on me again and it might kill me. And I have terrible nightmares.”
My name is Rozie. I am an old dog now with a checkered past. I am a rescue dog and have been rescued more than once. No one knows my real story though.
I am a big, mean looking canine now, with a ferocious growl. I can scare big men so I am a magnificent watch dog if I hear you coming. The problem is I’m usually asleep. They say that once, when a bear walked by, I just slept through the visit.
It should be noted that in my few waking hours, I am frightened. I still remember the sky might fall and I watch the windows for a darkening sky or an unusual wind. Backfires, gunshots, or a twig hitting the window are terrifying and thunderstorms are the worst. They drive me (and my adopted lady, Dor) into a closet where sounds are muffled and smells are of comforting human clothing and old shoes! My lady rubs me down with a dryer sheet to reduce static electricity. It feels pretty good but old shoes smell better. Isn’t that a great idea though?
I am a very old dog named Rozie and still convinced the sky is falling because it fell on me once before, when I was a puppy. And only my humans can save me. There is no convincing me otherwise and I still have terrible nightmares. My adopted humans want to help but all they can do now is hold my paw through the hard times, and give me all their love.
When I was a kid, our dog was so freaked by storms. You see he became a poulet stealer, and Mom shot over his head one time to scare him as he was snitching one. She was a better shot than she thought! He survived, but forever scared of those noises from the sky that hurt!
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Oh Rozie. Sounds like you have had a terrible fright. I’m glad you have loving parents to support you when you are experiening these nightmares. Your local veterinarian may be able to assist you further or refer you to a vet behaviourist. They can organize a behavioral modification plan specifically for you including anti-anxiety medications to help you respond to the training. Best of luck.
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Awww Rozie is soooo cute!! It’s a good thing she wasn’t here last night though. Mike and I are away for a few days at an older back to the basics resort where he can fish and I can swim and take photos. We had a wicked thunderstorm that would have had Rozie (and maybe you LOL) hiding under the bed for sure!
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Awwww! Poor baby! I read this today as a thunderstorm moved in and my old black cat came flying in the house from under his favorite bush. He is safe under the king-sized bed where lightening can’t go. I must tell him about the shoe smell. He loves stinky.
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What a lovely post of love! Rescued friends are the best. They give us comfort too.
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What a terrible story Lilly! It’s so sad for the dog but so funny in the telling. Bet he never stole another “poulet” again huh?
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Thank you for visiting my blog Rayyathevet. I appreciate your input and I am going to follow your blog. It looks so interesting. I am trying different approaches to try to solve Rozie’s anxieties and have a wonderful vet here in Virginia now. So far, the closet has the most calming effect, and an herbal snack called “Compozure.” Thanks again! 🙂
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We don’t fit under the bed Cindy, but the closet is where we both wind up in a thunder storm – Rozie, the dog and me. This afternoon was no exception. I took a pillow in with us but she stole it from me, so now I have to remember to bring two! Hope you have enjoyed your fish/swim/photoshoot vacation! You do know how to live! 🙂
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Rozie would thank you for the sympathy Kate and she would agree with your old black cat about refuge in dark places. They also have a mutual love of smelly things. Cats n’ dogs are not so different after all. 🙂
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Thanks coastalcrone. You are so right about rescued friends. They seem to know it’s all about giving and sharing and love. 🙂
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He didn’t. And I would get under he bed with him in storms.
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Hi I have nominated you for the Beautiful Blogger Award and also the Inspiring Blogger award. I love your blog and you richly deserve both these awards. 🙂
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That’s terrific news about having a vet on board to help you with Rozie’s anxieties. Do you think the herbal snack works? We don’t have any in Australia. We have rescue remedy, a herbal liquid that can be applied on your pet. I hope you enjoy my blog and I look forward to reading yours too. 🙂
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Thanks again Judy! I just read your post about your two new awards. Congratulations! And thanks for including me on your list of nominees. I’ll be working on a post to pass the awards forward! 🙂
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Thank you Rayya. The herbal snacks seem to do something to calm her. You may be interested in this: Rozie’s vet has a new concept for his practice I have never heard of before, but I like it and we have signed up. It’s a pay-in-advance kind of “retainer” where everything is included except long-term meds for chronic conditions. So, shots, surgery, heartworm meds, flea and tick control, etc. are all included in the pay by the year fee. His clinic features a carpeted waiting area and comfortable sofas – much more calming. He and a second vet are always available for emergency care too (also included). I believe they have a website and if you are interested, I will send you that link when I find it.
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I would definitely be interested in checking out your vet’s website. I am intrigued with his vet clinic.
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Hello Rayya. The website for my vet with the new clinic concept is http://thewellpetgroup.evetsites.net . I hope you find it as interesting as I did.
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Poor old Rozie! There are a lot of dogs and cats that have issues with storms and loud noises. I volunteered for the Humane Society and the largest number of missing pets occurred on the 4th of July and during bad storms. Have you ever heard of the Thundershirt? http://www.thundershirt.com/
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Thanks heaps for the website, I’ll be checking it out shortly. 🙂
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Hi Lori. For some reason, this comment wound up in my Spam, but I put it back where it belongs now. Thanks for the tip on the thundershirt, but going in the closet and giving her the “Composure” herbals seems to really be helping. It’s wonderful that you volunteered at the Humane Society and it’s ice to know the thunder paranoia is not unusual. 🙂
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