Yesterday I wrote about our rainy day including how my "Mutt and Jeff" duo of dogs was extremely bored being "cooped up" in the house all day. The rain kept coming and coming and the dogs, led by the little white dynamo, Molly, kept reminding me how much they wanted to play outside. But the weather was quite wicked with high winds, thunder and lightning and heavy winds and I knew if I turned them free they would really make a mess of themselves, so I even took them out by leash to answer nature's call.
The only one adversely impacted by this was me, soaked to the bone. Even though I was able to keep them out of the mud, they still brought a small ocean of water back inside with them. They could have cared less, but at least the basics were taken care of and we would just have to wait out the storm before they could release all of the energy building up.
The only one adversely impacted by this was me, soaked to the bone. Even though I was able to keep them out of the mud, they still brought a small ocean of water back inside with them. They could have cared less, but at least the basics were taken care of and we would just have to wait out the storm before they could release all of the energy building up.
Kaz, a wonderful Great Dane that we rescued nearly a year ago, was a different story. Not as antsy or hyperactive as Molly, he enjoys his couch potato time, loving to lounge on his large dog bed which we place in the living room near us. He likes togetherness, always wanting to know that his master or mistress is nearby. When left alone for extended periods is when he gets into trouble or when Molly coaxes him into trouble.
In mid-afternoon I had to go out and perform my horse chores as the weather was predicting severe storms in the evening and I wanted to have things done beforehand. After feeding our horses, I made sure the geese were put up with feed, the barn cats fed and the chickens watered, and then I made my quick visit to a neighbor who I help where I help with their horses. By the time I returned home it was looking really ominous with the sky having a strange tint and the winds picking up. Having lived in the Midwest for a short time previously, all of the indications of a tornado were present and we did have a tornado watch issued.
Coming in the house, I saw that the dogs had been surprisingly good. Except for a few torn up paper bags, Molly had behaved herself. And as for Kaz, well, he just looked bored and sleepy, maintaining his couch potato status. I knew that they needed a "potty break" but the first line of thunderstorms was rolling through and it would have to wait.
As the thunder boomed and the lightning flashed with the accompanying wind gusts and punishing rain, Goober, one of our other little dogs, a Shih-Tzu started to breathe heavily as an indication of her fear. Froodle the Poodle started barking and that set off a symphony of dog music with Kaz howling and Molly barking. Even Lupe the Chihuahua chimed in.
Suddenly, the storm passed and it became eerily quiet. This was my chance; I accompanied the dogs outside for a comfort break. As long as I was with them they knew they had to behave but I knew in my heart that they really wanted to run and release all of that pent up energy, especially Molly.
Over the next few hours while I awaited my wife's return from her evening job, a few more blasts of weather came through with the same result from the dogs. Aside from quite a bit of standing water and a few medium tree limbs down we were spared any serious damage and thankfully we never lost our power. But I knew before the night was over these lively fellows needed to run.
As my wife came in the door at midnight with the sky beginning to clear, I turned them loose. Off they went headed to the barn. They were determined to find a raccoon or possum to terrorize. Oh, it was just barking and growling, but it was their "thing" and they performed well. And I have to admit that since we got this tandem our chickens and geese are never threatened by coyotes, a problem that was previously endless.
We let them "play" for about twenty minutes and then called them in. They looked happy with their mud covered legs and feet. Stopping them at the door, two or three old towels and a little water did the trick and they were back to normal. A little spritz of a deodorizing dog spray and even the "wet dog smell" was gone. A quick snack and a drink of water and they were ready to turn in, sleeping soundly until seven this morning.
Welcome to dog and animal world. Sometimes it's hectic, sometimes in bad weather it can be a little frightening, but no matter what it's always interesting. Ans whatever "mess" they might create, it's easily corrected with a little soap, water and elbow grease. God bless these wonderful animals, they are my companions and friends out here in the country and they make me smile and laugh. They are a grat antidote to a troubled world and truly a gift from a gracious God. Thank you, Lord.
Have a wonderful day. Woof! Woof!
_____________________________________________________________________
If you like this true picture of life in the country, you should like my book, "Honey, We Shoulda' Bought the Ark", available from Outskirts Press: ouskirtspress.com/honeyweshouldaboughttheark. This author page has links to Amazon, Barnes and Nobel and an E-Book . Animals, A Wonderful Gift From God.
In mid-afternoon I had to go out and perform my horse chores as the weather was predicting severe storms in the evening and I wanted to have things done beforehand. After feeding our horses, I made sure the geese were put up with feed, the barn cats fed and the chickens watered, and then I made my quick visit to a neighbor who I help where I help with their horses. By the time I returned home it was looking really ominous with the sky having a strange tint and the winds picking up. Having lived in the Midwest for a short time previously, all of the indications of a tornado were present and we did have a tornado watch issued.
Coming in the house, I saw that the dogs had been surprisingly good. Except for a few torn up paper bags, Molly had behaved herself. And as for Kaz, well, he just looked bored and sleepy, maintaining his couch potato status. I knew that they needed a "potty break" but the first line of thunderstorms was rolling through and it would have to wait.
As the thunder boomed and the lightning flashed with the accompanying wind gusts and punishing rain, Goober, one of our other little dogs, a Shih-Tzu started to breathe heavily as an indication of her fear. Froodle the Poodle started barking and that set off a symphony of dog music with Kaz howling and Molly barking. Even Lupe the Chihuahua chimed in.
Suddenly, the storm passed and it became eerily quiet. This was my chance; I accompanied the dogs outside for a comfort break. As long as I was with them they knew they had to behave but I knew in my heart that they really wanted to run and release all of that pent up energy, especially Molly.
Over the next few hours while I awaited my wife's return from her evening job, a few more blasts of weather came through with the same result from the dogs. Aside from quite a bit of standing water and a few medium tree limbs down we were spared any serious damage and thankfully we never lost our power. But I knew before the night was over these lively fellows needed to run.
As my wife came in the door at midnight with the sky beginning to clear, I turned them loose. Off they went headed to the barn. They were determined to find a raccoon or possum to terrorize. Oh, it was just barking and growling, but it was their "thing" and they performed well. And I have to admit that since we got this tandem our chickens and geese are never threatened by coyotes, a problem that was previously endless.
We let them "play" for about twenty minutes and then called them in. They looked happy with their mud covered legs and feet. Stopping them at the door, two or three old towels and a little water did the trick and they were back to normal. A little spritz of a deodorizing dog spray and even the "wet dog smell" was gone. A quick snack and a drink of water and they were ready to turn in, sleeping soundly until seven this morning.
Welcome to dog and animal world. Sometimes it's hectic, sometimes in bad weather it can be a little frightening, but no matter what it's always interesting. Ans whatever "mess" they might create, it's easily corrected with a little soap, water and elbow grease. God bless these wonderful animals, they are my companions and friends out here in the country and they make me smile and laugh. They are a grat antidote to a troubled world and truly a gift from a gracious God. Thank you, Lord.
Have a wonderful day. Woof! Woof!
_____________________________________________________________________
If you like this true picture of life in the country, you should like my book, "Honey, We Shoulda' Bought the Ark", available from Outskirts Press: ouskirtspress.com/honeyweshouldaboughttheark. This author page has links to Amazon, Barnes and Nobel and an E-Book . Animals, A Wonderful Gift From God.
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