This time of year we hear stories in the news about pets and how fireworks and thunderstorms can be so stressful for them. We're told to keep them indoors, how to reduce their stress, etc. Well, I found out yesterday just how upset and stressed a dog can get when loud fireworks are going off all over the neighborhood.
About 9 p.m., Mark (Mark, my date--not to be confused with Mark, my brother) were out taking a walk around the neighborhood. We were about two blocks from my house when we were joined by a very friendly dog (golden retriever mix?). Though I didn't recognize the dog, she had on a very pretty collar, so we figured she belonged to someone nearby. However, despite our repeated comments to her to "go home," she followed us all the way home and tried to come in the house with us. We gently pushed her away, told her good-bye, and closed the door. About the same time, several people in the neighborhood started lighting fireworks.
About 10 minutes later as we were sitting at the kitchen table playing a game of Hoopla, we heard a dog whining loudly and a gate rattling. Our doggie friend was trying to push open the neighbors gate and get into their backyard. When she was unsuccessful there, she came to my doorstep, crying, and frantically trying to get inside. She was so upset that she completely tore out the screen of my screen door and scratched up my front door. Though we weren't going to let her in the house, we felt terrible for this very frightened dog (not to mention my poor doors), and so Mark stepped outside with her. He found a tag hanging from her collar and looked for a name and/or phone number, but all it said was "Washington County, Oregon." So, it seemed that she was either visiting the neighborhood with her people, or has recently moved to the neighborhood. Either way, there was a good chance that she was feeling lost and confused with all the added stress of the noise from the fireworks, and didn't know what to do or where to go. Mark walked her back to the place where we first met up with her. The fireworks must have subsided for a moment, or having Mark with her helped her feel more calm, because she got interested in one of the yards. While the dog was investigating the yard, Mark ran back to my house, came inside, and closed the door. We haven't seen or heard from the frightened doggie since.
Poor thing. I hope she got back to where she belongs and that her people were able to calm her down and help her feel better. And that they keep her inside with them this evening.
4 comments:
Oh, that's horrible! Poor doggie. Think if it had been Al.
I know. She was so frightened. I hope her people are taking care of her now.
Do you remember Butterscotch? She got so frightened--ruined doorjambs & door. We finally got her tranquilizers from the vet. So sorry you had all that damage too. Some people shouldn't have animals.
Yes, now that you mention it I do remember about Butterscotch. Mark took my screen in to be repaired. He's bringing it back this evening and will put the screen door back together for me. The regular door isn't too bad. It needs a coat of paint anyway.
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