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Well, that was new!
As someone who has always loved fireworks myself, I’ve always been conflicted about Bonfire Night. Especially after I rescued my dog Ila who was literally terrified of the loud bangs, meaning that Bonfire Night is now imprinted on my psyche for the wrong reasons. Thankfully, up until I took in Ila, I’d never had a dog that was bothered (and I’ve had a lot of dogs).
I think because pups were always brought up with older dogs who didn’t react, I was lucky enough to have their influence on the younger dog. For example, my dog Arthur would literally sit in the garden with me and we’d watch the fireworks together. Once Ila joined us everything changed, and I confess, I learned to hate and dread fireworks, so dramatic and heart-wrenching were her reactions.
Nothing I could do would calm her. She’d physically shake from head to toe and rush around the house trying to wedge herself behind or under furniture until the next bang, when she’d take off again, clawing, scratching, and whimpering. Literally nothing soothed her. Medication didn’t work as she fought it, and the only thing I could do was put the whole house into darkness, throw blankets over the dining table to make a den, and crawl in underneath (with Arthur joining us on the floor) to hold her, with classical music blaring in the kitchen.
This would eventually settle her and she’d lay in my arms shaking until it was all over and calm was restored. I did and tried everything to calm her, seeing vets, reading books, playing tapes, but making a den was the only thing that vaguely worked. It sounds terrible to say, but I was actually grateful that in old age she went deaf, as for the first time in her life, we didn’t have days when her fear overtook everything and I’d feel utterly helpless.
Like other dog owners in the same boat, I learned to hate any celebrations where fireworks were involved and found myself getting overheated and radical about them when, in fact, the truth is that they’re beautiful and they do have their place. But why do they have to ‘bang’ so loudly? I just don’t understand. Of course, I support all legislation around the sale of them and always have; they are and can be very dangerous so need to be used correctly.
Anyway, having taken in two little rescue Mini Dachshunds (Willow and Bear) only three months ago, I had no idea how they’d react to the fireworks this year. Last night I found out!
Willow clearly wasn’t happy, but likewise wasn’t over dramatic in her responses. She didn’t want to go out into the garden and instead sought refuge on my head or up inside my jumper, glued to my chest (or back, she didn’t mind), which is fairly normal for her anyway. She wasn’t trembling but was determined (and she has an iron will!) to stay physically attached to me, no matter what.
Willow and Bear
As I said, behaving like a limpet isn’t new, but normally I can shake her off at various points (like when I go to the loo or get a drink from the kitchen) without too much difficulty, allowing her to crawl back once settled again.
However, last night she was having none of it. Like an octopus, I’d have needed four pairs of hands to physically remove her as she slid, rolled, slipped, and skated out of my grasp, over my skin, and under my tunic. I literally tried everything to remove her. I tried standing up, expecting her to drop out, shook out my top over the sofa thinking to dislodge her, yet still she clung on, her tiny velvet paws with their magic gluey toes wedging themselves in the waistband of my trousers, slipping up into the cup of my bra, draping herself over my shoulder, and slithering around my neck. She used every technique possible to evade removal and I confess, she beat me.
I struggled and squirmed for a good 10 minutes (onlookers thinking I was practising an ancient rain dance in the middle of the sitting room) before giving up and moving around the house while supporting her. I know, I know…I gave in, but if you’d been in my shoes you would have too. I literally just didn’t have either the flexibility or enough hands to eject her safely. It’s true too that once allowed to remain adhered to my person, there wasn’t so much as a peep from her.
Now, Bear on the other hand was a completely different kettle of fish. Not in the slightest bit frightened by the bangs and flashes, he was clearly affronted! How dare they disturb his evening peace and quiet and if I wasn’t going to deal with it, he would. He rushed around the garden rumbling and then barking at every whoosh and bang, standing his ground. Great!
I found myself advancing rapidly after him (one arm acting like a sling for Willow and looking like a hunchback), trying to shoosh him and usher him back inside to shut him up. Though, in all honesty, any noise made by him was drowned out by the number of fireworks taking off and exploding in our area.
As I said, was he afraid? Absolutely not, just full of his typical Dachshund stubbornness. A mini bulldozer with a sense of absolute entitlement that simply doesn’t allow anything to be louder than him, no badger was going to be lurking in my garden unchallenged. Thankfully, with the training I’ve put in place, his barking is now usually short-lived, but last night was definitely a challenge and it was a test as to who’d win this one. I think, on balance, I did (well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it!).
Was it a restful, calm evening of peace and joy? Absolutely not! But, that said, I was desperately grateful that these two little beasties weren’t consumed by fear as Ila had been.
When we went up to bed there were still a few bangs, but both immediately crawled in under the covers (it being bedtime). I don’t know if it was the fact that the quilt muffled the sounds or simply that they slipped into their usual routine, but they immediately settled down and emitted soft snores that rumbled against my sides as they went to sleep. Ah well, now we know!
I feel blessed and express my sympathy for all those people with terrified pets. I’ve been there and know just how awful it is, so in comparison, a bit of woofing and limpet-prising is absolutely nothing.
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