esrosedotblog

We awoke to very heavy rain and lightning this morning and an upset airedale.

Booker had tried the one bathtub and then the dressing room but both were found wanting so he recruited his Dads who are finely attuned to these conditions, even with earplugs in my case, and are ready to fly into action.

Close the big blinds on all the north windows. That is where the flashing is.

Turn on the classical music station. Pray for lots of full orchestra and tympani.

If there is time, get out the "thunder shirt" which works but is a bastard to put on and hardly ever gets on in time so we just about always scuttle it. Two Dads hugging close are almost as good.

Walk to the remaining windows and see the flashes indirectly. Sort of a light brush of light.

If possible go out and see it, leash ON! Come back in when he wants to and don't go if he does not.

The leash is insurance against the blind run. He has never done it for any pyrotechnics but he has done it for a coyote who needed to be chased out of the complex at 3AM. Brave under the influence of adrenaline, airedale adrenaline being especially potent.

He paces. We pace with him.

He breathes very heavily. We hold him when he wants it.

He trembles. We pat his back and let him do it under the theory that it is letting the bad spirits out.

We get a cup of coffee because we are up. Up.

This was not too bad. It was almost 4AM, about the longest that I can stay there and doze. I have a short dozing fuse. There are things to fucking do!

We talk to him. It is a nice family activity. He is a very brave guy. He appreciates it all. We can tell.

Breakfast and a pee if you can do it are a great settler. The rain stopped so we went out and he went as far from the house as he could to do it. Not sure what that is about but it is a standard when he is upset.

By the third breakfast item (cut gala apple dessert), he is easier and things have also settled down.

They say, without knowing, that the mountains got the same downpour. Good if the electric didn't start up any more fire.

And didn't it rain. Buckets. The desert. The rain hasn't been here for awhile so let it go, rain. Special. The kind that closes roads and, not today, often shuts down the power system.

Things are all quiet now. A life resumed.

Labels: weather