I'm the Real Scaredy Cat
I'm at work yesterday when I hear people in the newsroom commenting on the bad weather coming. I hear schools are closing all over because of tornado threats. I panic...my heart rate goes up and I felt extremely stressed. And I HATE being that way, because I used to love storms. I'd even sit outside on the porch to enjoy them.
But then I lived through Hurricane Hugo in Charleston, SC., the Clarksville tornado of the late 90s, a major lightening strike on our house that sounded like a sonic boom and burned up every TV and VCR in the house (and blew a hole in the foundation) and lastly, the tornados that ripped down Hwy. 13 last year and took the roof off the house across the road from me,tossed their pontoon boat over their house like a toy boat and tore down huge trees all over.
Thank goodness I had my pets with me that day, because if I wasn't here I would have freaked out with worry about them. The cats were locked in the apartment, I was in the kitchen with the dogs. I hear on the TV news that twisters have been spotted and are headed RIGHT MY WAY from Erin. It was raining, thundering, etc. I look out the kitchen window facing West, and the sky was as black as the darkest night, a sight I'd never seen with ANY storm. My heart leaped into my throat and tried to choke me. That's when the electricity went out.
We don't have a basement or any inner hallways, so I grab a bottle of wine, the dogs and go to the master bath, close the door, get into the tub and start drinking. The wind sounded awful and that's all I could hear, as I couldn't use a TV or radio. I couldn't stand the silence spiked ever so often with scary wind noises, so I started singing theme songs from old TV shows to drown out the frightening sounds. Now I can't sing for S%$#--I'm worse than Edith Bunker--but it made me feel better. The wine helped. I think the dogs were more traumatized by my singing than by the storm, especially Peanut, who I can make howl with my off-key pitch if I want to. But since I only do that to annoy The Boss, I sang "normally" which is almost as bad.
I polished off the entire bottle of wine in the tub that day, singing "Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale..." and "Here's the story, of a lovely lady..." By the bottom of the bottle the tornados could have carried me off and I wouldn't have minded that much. My panic attack was averted and the tornado missed my house. The dogs were there to kiss and hug, which was real good medicine for my nerves.
I hate being a scaredy cat because I always prided myself on being tough and a take-charge kind of person. Just goes to show we all have our fears and weaknesses. However, we pet owners are lucky to have best buddies who help us through.
posted by Sandy at 3/02/2007 07:07:00 AM
Pet People
27 Comments:
Sandy,
you are too funny-grab the bottle of wine and get the pets. My mindset exactly! Thanks-needed the laugh this morning. And that story definitely had me rolling. I can see and hear you now. I can't drag myself from the TV today. We lived in Enterprise for 6 years prior to moving here and we are hearing that we have lost friends in the tornado that hit the high school. My oldest daughter left this morning to drive down to Enterprise. She is attending her best frinds wedding there tomorrow. Very bittersweet I guess. As she goes for such a joyful time, she will be visiting her friends that lost brothers and sisters in the highschool. Ya'll please pray for these families. I just can't imagine.
We do have a basement and that is my drill too. Grab the kids, dogs, cats , turn the sofa over and hide underneath it. We did have one night several years ago that we spent the night on the floor under the couch. At least the kids did...I spent my time listening, racing from window to door, window to door, listening..arghh..I hate nights like that. I can't sleep at all when there is a storm. Even with the "spirits". I usually do the rum and coke deal-easier to hide from the kids. haha..
Shannon, Yes, I too was upset at hearing about the High School in Enterprise this morning! Although, I don’t know anyone living there, it still saddens me. I would think that a school with its long halls and thick brick walls would be a pretty safe place for a child to be during a storm. But if Mother Nature has it in her path, I guess no place is really safe! Here in GA the TV is reporting a bad night in Americus as well.
When we went to be last night, we only had 1 and half inch of rain in the gauge. When we woke up this morning, we had a mess in the yard and a total of 3 and half inches in the gauge! We could tell that at some point while the Saint and I slept soundly, we had a 2 inch gully washing rainfall… Two huge railroad ties were laying across our driveway from the water taking them on a boat ride! We also have tons of leaves from the woods washed into our yard. Normally this would all upset me but after hearing about Enterprise and Americus, those leaves and ties don’t seem to matter much. I am so glad we slept through this as I would have been pacing back and forth and only making the cats a nervous wreck and keeping the Saint awake. Nothing much gets him going, his motto is, why worry about something you have no control over… Drives me nuts but I do enough worrying for the both of us…
Yesterday as the storms rolled through, Sheba did not hide much. I think she is finally realizing that she is safe in the house with storms. Like I mentioned one other time, I don’t think she is scared of the thunder (nothing scares that cat) but I think she takes that as a warning that rain is coming and to go hide fro her days in the woods. She was helping me do spring cleaning most of the day yesterday. I did find her going under a stack of bubble wrap in the storage closet one time. But I think she was just being my clown cat with that antic…
Sandy, I too am afraid of storms. Not so much the storm but more of the unknown of what is to happen with the storm. I like your coping method. I think I will jump in the tub with a bottle and a walkman the nest time one rolls through. I can see you now, all laid back singing away with the dogs looking at you thinking, why her, why did we end up with her…. Ha-ha… You made me laugh this morning with your story and believe me, after watching the morning news, I needed this chuckle….
I am so addicted to this blog. I don't get to post as much right now because I am an accountant and stay extremely busy during tax season. However, I always read the blog religiously. My friends laugh at me about the way I am over my little pomeranian monsters, but now that I found this blog, I realize I am not the only pet obsessed one out there.
This week has been such a yucky week. We got our boys, Zander and Jake, neutered on Wednesday. We also got their teeth cleaned. When I brought them home, they were just so miserable. The next day I could not get Zander to come out of our bed. Luckily my hubby was off on Thursday so he could stay home and supervise. The thing is, I feel terrible and guilty for having to put them through this, but I know it needed to be done. It is just so difficult to see Zander like this because he is normally are crazy, energetic psycho dog. I love him to death and to see him so defeated makes me really sad.
Then I get up this morning and discover he has pulled some of the stitches out. I had to call work to let them know I would be late, and then take him into the vet's office. I need to say here, that our vet is wonderful!! We absolutely adore him. My husband met his for the first time when we picked the dogs up from their surgery. After seeing the way our vet interacted with the dogs, my husband told me on the way out, 'Wow, he must really love dogs' Luckliy, Zander had started to heal pretty good, so if we can keep his activity limited for a few days, he won't have to put additional stitches back in him.
We also were really lucky because my hubby's friend that travels for work got back into town late last night. He had left his car at our house so jsut stayed there last night. Since he is off today I asked him to stay home with the dogs to keep an eye on Zander. He is probably the one person outside of my mom and hubby that I completely trust with our dogs. Of course, I can drive him crazy calling to check on the dogs all through the day.
I just wonder how much the getting neutered is going to change Zander and Jake. Zander use to bark at everything, if you got up to leave or if you got up to go the bathroom, but since we brought him home on Wednesday he hasn't barked at all. We were hoping he would calm down some after the surgery, but I miss my energetic pal!
Hey, just to let y'all know, I am not "Skeeter" posting on comments to news stories in the on-line Leaf Chronicle paper... I noticed that name and wanted to let you know, when Skeeter makes a comment, it is not me….
jdt,
I am sorry for your sadness this morning over your babies... I don’t know what to tell you because I have never had a male dog. So I really do not know how they react to the neuter process but you did do right by having this procedure done…
When we took our kitty girls to have them spayed, I was having doubts about it also. I know it is the right thing to do for them as well as us, but I worried about my baby Cheetah… She did this little run in front of you then throw herself over onto her back and stick that belly up for belly rubs and kisses. That was the cutest thing at any given moment of my day! I feared she would no longer do this cute little belly thing once getting cut on her belly. Well, let me tell you… It did not stop the little belly monster from within! She still throws herself over and begs for belly rubs and kisses.
This soon after the surgery, the boys will be a bit down. But hopefully with proper time to heal, they will perk back up. Just look at it this way, Have you ever seen anyone (human) acting normal after being in the hospital for a procedure? Well, then don’t expect your doggies to be so strong either. They may just need a few days to heal and get back to being themselves.
I hope the above will ease your mind a bit today. Try not to worry too much. How does that saying go, time heals all wounds….
Hey Everyone, well we are saying prayers of thanksgiving this morning because our God daughter is ok. She was in the high school when the tornado hit yesterday in Enterprise and we were scared to death till we heaard she is ok. She got cuts on her head and feet but nothing serious. While we were waiting to ehar from her we were sick with worry. I was crying and praying and walking the floor. It was terrible! My heart aches for the poor people who lost loved ones so please everyoine keep them in your prayers for peace and comfort!
Sandy as for that tornado lat year it did hit our house and just about scared me to death! My husband was off on a trip as usual so me and the girls were home alone. We went to the badement but when it hit hte dous I thought it was all over. I was telling Skeeter about it before so repating for her. Our house is brick but has abit of wood and siding trim outside the attic and the small front porch is wood. It took off the top of the porch and it blew out the attic sending insulation all over the front of the house and yard, it looked like a blizzard had hit. We had deck furniture thrown all over the back, one good size tree was pulled up by the roots and our humongus grill had danced all over the deck. I really thought it was the end for me and the girls. I prayed so hard! They were in thier cages because I wanted them in a safer place if the whole house did start blowing away. It was absolutely horrible and I pray enver to go through taht again! We've been in a couple other tornados but only right next to them, this time it actually hit our home. All in all we were lucky, first that it didn't kill us and it didn't damage the house more. The biggest thing was having to get a new roof. I think most of the houses in our neighborhood had roof damage. Our street looked like a war zone right after the tornado hit. The firemen were absolutely wonderful too, they came and checked on us 3 times since they knew we were alone, God bless them. They were so busy that night and kept getting call after call but still came back. No one better say anything bad about them to me after that one! I was ready for a case after that one but I took some Valium instead. My babies were scared too but they didn't really understand what was going on. They were ok once we came back upstairs and got the electic back. It is not a experience I would ever want anyone else to have!
jdt. I bet Zander will be back to his old self soon. He has just been through a frightening procedure and doesn't understand what happened plus he is still a bit sore and scared. I'm sure he'll be barking up a storm in no time. Just give him a few days to fully recover from his nerves. I don't think it will really change his personality all that much, I've never known any dog who did. Does anyone else? Hang in there jdt.!
Hope ya'll can read what I just wrote, was looking at it and saw I made so many mistakes I could barely read it myself. I need to slow down so I don't make such a mess.
The only time I freak out with storms is when there is lightning. Skeeter might be able to attest to the lightning in CO. Living in the mountains brings it that much closer. It sounds like a bomb going off with each strike. And the sound would carry up through the canon. It was crazy. When Hubby and I first got married we lived in a mobile home. It was struck twice and we had 2 different trees out our back door that had been struck as well. When the wind blew really hard, like 60 or 70 miles an hour, the house would shake. I used to fear that we would blow off the side of the hill. We lost 2 TV’s and phone because of lightning. So now when there's a lightning storm I crawl in bed and hide, usually curled up next to Hubby. Give me a blizzard any day. I’m going to have to try having a bottle of wine in the tub next time. When you’re buzzed, nothing bothers you. HA
OH, I just remembered, I have been in a snow storm where there was lightning and thunder, so never mind. I'll take sunny days all the way. Thats CO weather for you:)
jdt-
My daughter just had her rat terrier Petie neutured a couple of months ago . She thought it would change his personality but it didn't. He is still his wild and crazy self. Zander & Jake are probably just still loopy from the anesthesia. Having teeth cleaned is tough too. The combination of sore mouths and sore boy butts would make me quiet too! You did the right thing tho- you are taking good care of your fellas. Give them a couple of days and they will be back to their old selves.
The only time I was really scared like that was when my sister came storming in the bedroom and threatened the life of poor Zoe (the ugly dog).
jdt - love the name Zander for your dog, how did you come to name your doggie Zander? I have a friend who lost a VERY beloved chocolate cocker spaniel 6 months ago after Chemo and 14 years of obsessive love....My friend had no brothers/sisters, no wife or kids, so it was just him and Mocha for 14 years. He was crushed when he lost her. He just got a new puppy and has her a week and still has not named her. Her official AKC name is "American Dream Girl" but she needs a call name. Any ideas?
Daisylouu,
What breed of dog is American Dream Girl???
Oh my y'all, I am addicted to this Blog...
It is after Midnight and I am still here typing!
Help, I need an intervention!
daisylouu, I'm so sorry about you friend losing his sweet dog.Since your's friend's dog's name was Mocha, how about Latte" ( sp? ) for the new one? It was the first thing that popped into my head when I thought of Mocha and they are sibblings so it would be cute.
Barbie is the American Dream Girl, but I don't like that name for a dog. So instead of Barbie Doll, about about Dolly? That's a cute name for a pretty little girl dog. But yes, we need to know the breed before we can get down to the name. Also, the personality.
And sis, you better stop with that Zoe story! I admited my meltdown screaming fit! And you instigated the whole thing with your Peanut baby talk and ignoring Scooter, so like I said, you put your favorite in harms way by not listening to ME, the WISE ONE.
Daisy always forgets she let little sweet Bennie out in the yard and leaves him there to suffer in teh bitter cold of a PA winter, while she goes to the mall to shop.:)
She also put her favorite cat Sassy down in the basement for the night because after 14 years, Sassy kept her from her beauty rest. So poor Sassy was downstairs with Tiger the devil cat, who torments her day and night.
DaisyLouu, glad you liked the name Zander. This is kind of embarrassing but I got the name from the TV show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She has a friend on there that is named Xander. I had originally planned to spell it with the X too. However, I had started scrapbooking pics of the dogs. My first dog is Abby so I thought a scrapbook page titled "From A to Z, the life of Abby and Zander" was really cute, so it got spelled with a Z. I decided to stick to this theme so out next dog we got was a little girl, so she is Annabelle. I had always intended to name the next boy dog, Zeke. But when we found Jake, I tried to call him Zeke, but it just didn't fit him. So after much debate over names, my hubby and I settled on Jake as the most fitting name. All of my dogs also have the same middle name, McDuff. When I was growing up I had a pomeranian named Jerimiah McDuff, but we always called him Duffy, so in honor of him all my dogs share his middle name.
I have discovered a problem with our dog names though. My husband and I have been discussing starting a family (human kids that is) and while our boy name is picked out we absolutely cannot agree on a girl name. I think we used our favorites on the dogs....such a problem
jdt, how about Fluffy for a girl? Ha, just kidding. Hey we name our animals people names so why not give kids animals names? Look at the celebrities and how they name thier kids. Moon Unit and her brother Dweezle Zappa,Scout and Rumor Moore, River Phonex, and now Quieneth Paltrow's babis Apple and there are dozens more. There's some wild ones out there
daisylouu, for shame that you put poor Sassy in the basement to be harrassed by Tiger! And leaving Bennie outside in the cold while you go to the mall? Girl you got to stop that!
Oh gosh, Bennie is just fine, and my poor cat Sassy survives the basement even with Tiger the Terror there. At least my pets are cute, unlike Ugly Zoe.
My friends dog is also a chocolate cocker. She's simply precious and everytime I ask him if he named her, he teases he's naming her "vagina". MEN!
His first dog's name was "Mocha Almond Fudge" (mom was Kit Kat and dad was Almond Joy) He always said his next dog would be named "Almond" but it seems everyone he mentions it to HATES that name.
He also has been researching the currently popular movie "Dream Girls" and the Beyonce character is named "Deena" so he was trying that one out.
I LOVE "Latte" Pam that's great, I'm going to mention that to him!!
Sassy might be surving in the cold, dark and windowless cellar at night, but she's not happy. She doesn't know why the Mommy she's loved for 14 years has banished her to the basement, when all Sassy wants to do is love on Mommy's neck during the night. Tiger, who tormented Sassy when she arrived from the streets is now traumatizing her all night long with evil hisses and threats of doom.
There, that's what you get for keeping up the I threatened to kill Zoe comments. LOL. :)
My cat, Sinja, is TERRIFIED of storms (even though he's brave and thinks he's a dog when he growls at the cable guy). About a week ago, I thought he'd have a heart attack. It hailed so hard it sounded like someone tried to break in. He was under the bed all night.
It is currently 2:00 in the morning and my first chance to check in on things. I spend one day away from the chit chat and look at what all I missed! You guys made me laugh after a long day today. Thanks...
Glad to see the Dragon up and spitting again. Welcome back, we missed you!
Adrienne, I went to buy the Parrot Bay Rum for the Bloomer Droppers and was not sure which flavor to get. I ended up with the Mango… Which is correct, Mango, Pineapple, Coconut, etc…
Daisylouu, my vote goes with Latte for the new doggie. Cute name and keeping with siblings.
I will probably throttle back a bit for the next week. My parents are coming down from Clarksville for a nice visit. I must keep daddy entertained or he will drive me nuts! I may not be writing much but I will be reading…
daisylouu, tell your friend that Almond Latte' is cute, it still has the Almond but gives a new addition so the new dog has her own personalization. And tell him if he teases any more about calling her Vagina, you and all your friends will start calling him Penis Head! Ha.
Melissa, I' so sorry Sinja had such a traumatic time last week, poor baby. My Courtney is the most scared when storms come, she runs to hide in one of her safe spots. Brittany and Penelope just hang around with me unless it gets really loud but a regular thunder storm doesn't bother them much.
Skeeter, girl you should just buy a bottle of each of those flavors and make em all. That way you can pick your favorite and what fun you'll have choosing,hee, hee. Enjoy your visit with the folks!
Skeeter, We usually get coconut, but we have also tried the mango. It's all good. We have also used raspberry lemonaid. That was really good too. That's the fun of drinking, making it your own and experimenting. Bottoms Up!
Adrienne, when I was talking about our hot tub part I told Skeeter and Shannon to bring the bloomer droppers, I forgot it was you who told us about them and not Shannon. So have to correct that one. I wiah I could tolerate sweet drinks cause they look so pretty but I can't handle them.
Adrienne,
Will let you know how they were. Thanks!
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