Fearful Pooch

Storms have always been a welcome daily summer occurrence in Florida, leaving behind steaming asphalt, perkier flowers, happy little birds bathing in puddles, and cooler nights.  My mother used to say, "Sunshine and shower, won't last half an hour!"  And it's true.  Try telling that to my dog!

Juliet became fearful after four brave puppy years of Florida weather, which includes tropical storms, tons of thunder, enough lightening to power the whole city for a year, buckets of rain, and all of this always results in mosquitoes galore.  What happened?  Who knows?  Our once brave Juliet became five pounds of fear about a year ago. She starts pacing with she first whiff of a storm cloud. A rumble sends her wide eyed, shivering and panting to the closest human for safety.  She shakes like a vibrating toy at my side.  I never had much use for a miniature shivering dog and thought them to be wimps, and so for an entire year I have ignored her begs for protection, hoping it was just a passing thing.  No.  Hers is a deep seated problem.

My new mode of dog parenting now includes a kind lap to burrow into when thunder claps and rain pounds on the skylights.  I don't say anything, don't pamper or encourage, but if she needs a safe haven, I will allow my dog the comfort of my lap.  I'm not to the point of purchasing a thunder coat or doggie zanex...YET.