Thunder Brings on the Paw

I was awoken this morning about 4:30 to a large black and furry paw to the face. As I attempted to clear out the dust from my sleepy brain I could hear the thunder clasps and see the flashes of light dance across the sky. It was Otis attached to the paw telling me he was not about to sit this storm out alone so I’d better get up. Otis has had a fear of storms ever since we moved here to upstate SC where summer storms are known to pop up almost every afternoon. Personally I have a passion for storms that provide a muscular wind that instigates tree branches to twist and turn, a rain that drenches you to the bone as it attacks you and hits you with a slap, a light show that can only be upstaged by Trans Siberian Orchestra. But, with Otis my loyal fur-child around I must awaken from my serene undemanding dream as I am denied any pleasure kindled by this storm of the early morning. As I creep from the bedroom and very softly close the door, I watch with delight as the sky continues to sparkle and the thunder breaks the silence of the sleeping house.

I must care for my Otis: I speak to him in a gentle, soothing, and motherly voice as I hug him firmly. We walk side by side to the kitchen where the promace pills are kept for just such mornings. Once Otis has had his pill, we lay tenderly on the living room floor, his head upon my chest, his breathing slowing to a tranquil state. I watch as his eyelids commence to close even as he struggles the inescapable. As he doses off into sweet dreams, I hear one last thunderbolt clamor through the stillness and witness one last shimmer dash across the horizon as I as drift back into peaceful slumber.

A Time to Frolic

I was not having such a great week so far, and today as I awoke, it seemed as if it would be just another day of pain and hurt. I try each day to wake up with a positive felling inside and thoughts in my head, but needless to say, sometimes the positive thinking turns to wishful thinking.


I have wanted to spend some time with Abby in training out back on her commands such as, come and stay. It was finally cool enough out this afternoon, due to cold front and the threat of storms. I finally had the energy to head outside with the fearless foursome, as the rain was yet to arrive. We ended up tossing a ball around and running (they did not me) and having a great playful frolicking time. All were exhausted and Otis was a bit sleepy now because of his “storm pill” so we all went inside for a cool drink and a rest.

My dogs amaze me with something every day, today it was that even thru my pain, they can make me feel needed and alive, even playful and childlike. I would have been curled up in a ball on the couch with my pain pills, but they got me up and grooving and I cannot thank them enough!