Soop's Kitchen Extension

I don't know anything about dogs, but a friend with a kitten sat it on the windowsill between them while they watched the fireworks and kept saying appreciative things like "That was a good one!" and "Did you see that" and "Oh how wonderful" so that the cat learnt that they had no concerns and were enjoying the show. It grew up unafraid. so did their next who had the same lessons.

The theory was that if you show that you think they will be worried, they pick up on it and it is self-fulfilling. I think that whatever you do to calm their fears, it must be in a matter-of-fact way and without underlining their natural fear of danger from the unknown.

Children pick up on adults' reactions too. We always greeted thunderstorms with interest, not fear, and would count seconds between flash and bang to track the passage of the storm, and estimate how many inches of rain were falling outside. None of ouir chuildren developed a fear of lightning or thunder (healthy respect, yes, but not terror)

((((hugs)))) to all of you. We need them at a time like this - even virtual ones. x x x

Looks like a few of us were struggling to sleep last night. A nice refreshing cup of tea and a few minutes to clear my head, and I'll be right as rain. Is that buttered crumpet in need of a home? Thanks.

Ogm Thanks, but don't tell soop that I was on the sofa with Rory!

Nellie and Lona hugs and or should it be and sympathy? xx

I need a to get me going after a dreadful night! So much going through my head, and I can't do anything about any of it.

At least it's calm and comforting in here, and the new sofa is really comfy!

03:00 hrs Nobody else in Soops kitchen! Yippee! Its my big chance to eat all the cake, finish all the wine and generally relax. Rory is giving me dissaproving looks though. I have disturbed his beauty sleep!
I wonder if I CBA to add comments on all yesterdays posts?
No not really I am tired but not sleepy. Oh drat it.

Sleep well, all!

That sounds really interesting When thank you for that, I am certainly going to have a go at that. I love fireworks but also hate those noisy ones and do not understand why they have to bang quite so loudly??? Why can't we just have those pretty ones? I was just going off to bed with a hot chocolate to try and get some sleep and guess what? yep the fireworks have started up again and I have a dog back on my lap shaking, aah well....it is taking a while to drift off recently. Thinking of things as we all are.....Take care all and sleep tight.

Glad you enjoyed it, anno and I hope you've had some happy moments on your birthday!

I went to an organised firework display with the family on Saturday. I loved it. Mesmerised by the wonderful inventiveness and apparently infinite variety of the fireworks. I am still a big kid at heart!

I'm fancing a mug of hot chocolate and marshmellows and a comphy chair & footstool and will try and get rid of the sound of ringing in my ears from fireworks why do they have to bang so loudly,when we where little they used to just sparkle and fizz everywhere but all of them bang now (oh what a moaner I am today) anyway hot chocolate will be enjoyed then off to bed and try to have a sleep.

Oh, poor dogs! Here's the advice the dogg behaviourist circulated a while back, that I put on the dogs/fireworks thread:

'The dog behaviourist, who advises the doggie daycare team where my dog goes to play a couple of times a week, has provided this advice for owners whose dogs are afraid of fireworks. Hope it comes in useful for anyone who tries it.'

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1276834_408166185950141_2048296217_o.jpg

We have been trying a c.d . with fireworks on and we thought great because the one Shih Tzu of ours that is terrified of them, has not reacted to it and sat quietly.......until the real fireworks were heard and she was still absolutely scared stiff and back on my lap, shaking. We also had our DD's Shih Tzu who was just as terrified and was also quaking on my lap. Really really have to try and work something out for next year, because it is not only on the 5th but a week at least before and afterwards!!!!

It has to be started when there isn't the racket going on over the bonfire period, to give the dog time to acclimatise to the noise in small, increasing doses. There are greyhounds, whippets and lurchers at daycare. All the regular attenders are fine, but a couple of beagles who only go occasionally needed extra help.

JessM stop being a lunatic and dicing with death! Those currents areLETHAL

I tried something similar with Jock 2 dogs ago, if you see what I mean. he was salivating and stressing at a thunderstorm so I thought it might be nice to put some music on - it was the 1812 Overture and he was worse than ever!! I wonder if lurchers (like greyhounds) are particularly susceptible being so highly strung. Grace is not happy tonight and looking for somewhere to hide - she's tried behind the sofa, under my desk and now (wisely) has taken to her bed under the stairs.

I'm wondering how grand-dog Basil is coping in London - so far he has experienced walking down busy streets and through the park to the station so that he could accompany DD to her studio in Hackney! Apparently their fears about a sleepless crying night proved groundless, DD's BF got up at 6.30 to let the little chap out and found him curled up happily on their sofa.

Have you thought about the behavioural method of playing a fireworks CD in a safe environment with all the other friendly activities going on in the house, Tegan? You can play it staight off YouTube, and they sell it in pet stores. Doggie Daycare, where my dog goes to play and train, have been playing the CD for a month, and identifying any nervous ones to give extra attention to.

She's curled up fast aseep in her basket, whilst the fireworks in the park are going off like we're in a war zone.

JessM You're usually the sensible one! Stop it!

The dog is now having a complete nervous breakdown; dap diffuser, valerian tablets [topped up with a piriton tablet]..have put her coat on thinking it might work like one of those jacket things; none of it is working. Really can't put up with this every year. May have to get something from the vets to knock her out next year.

Jess please buy some wellies and STOP walking along that wall. Sudden gusts of wind, currents in the Straits, doesn't bear thinking about!

Before I go...PLEASE JessM do take good care of yourself. x

Another cool, blustery day closes with warm thoughts winging their way to you all.

Unexpectedly dry day and I walked along the wall again with 4 ft water on one side and 1 ft on the other, on the path (an even higher tide than yesterday) with heavy shopping . The wall is about 18" wide. I del mildly intrepid - just a little bit.
Fire and rescue really having fun with inflatable boat training in the white water as the tide rushes through the bridge pillars. Stranding one of their number on a ledge on the bridge pillar and then trying to steer the boat back through the torrent and keep it steady so that said colleague does not get wet, or end up half way to Caernarfon. The rushing tides are quite something here - quite different to a tame old beach where they just come in and out. Struck me that when fire and rescue take those boats into flooded towns and villages they do have to deal with such situations. Glum and sleepy this afternoon though. Must check out the film - could do with dragging that mature student away from his desk and out for an evening in the bright lights of Llandudno!
Would love to Cwtch up on the sofa but I am really falling behind in welsh class... verbs, dammit.

I'm not a fan of Steve Coogan either Tegan but I think Judi Dench is a great actress and hoping she will carry the film. Hope I'm not dissapointed.

Every now and then, the thought of Carol comes into my head and if it is unbearable for me, can only imagine what her family are going through. Just keep hoping for the best outcome.

Glad you found your hearing aid Soop. DH and I both do some ridiculous, put in the wrong place things, and we laugh it off, but at £4,000, definitely not a laughing matter.

Gally I find bed making exhausting nowadays and do it gradually with a coffee in between manoeuvres . Happiness for me is a fresh crisp bed. Simple pleasures.