Max's new bomb shelter

[urocyon]

Max is not enjoying the fireworks leading up to Diwali and presumably Bonfire Night. Not at all. He's been tolerating the small nightly volleys better than last year, but tonight there were a lot more.

Even after some Kalms Sleep* hidden in cubes of cheese, he found a new shelter earlier. In the shower.


Please ignore the stained grout. Max does. ;)

I guess it felt comfortably enclosed (by glass!), and it's probably the least disruptive place he's holed up so far. (The worst is probably a tie between repeatedly knocking the television over and bringing DVD players, etc. crashing to the floor, trying to hide in the back of the entertainment center; and ripping his way through the Masonite back of a bookshelf trying to get behind there.) I felt kind of cruel choking back laughter and grabbing the camera, but he was cute in a rather pitiful way.

Now that the fireworks are over for the night, he's back out and has even eaten some supper.

* Ye gods, the herbal manufacturer's site has a page on dream analysis. "If you do have a dream that’s concerning you to the extent that it causes you stress or anxiety, speak to your doctor who will be able to offer you the best advice for your circumstances." *snort* Bit of a shame this is the best stuff we've found for Max for thunderstorms and fireworks, annoying as the marketing is.

Comments

[ex_angiereedgarner191]

Poor Max! At this point I use a benadryl pill stuffed in a pat of butter or brie, with my vet's blessing. Heef could care less about loud noises but pressure changes make him try to hide in impossibly small spaces.

[urocyon]

Hmm, I may have to pick up some more Benadryl, then. (Well, Nytol, which is kept behind the pharmacy counter in the UK!) Last night, I tried giving him half a chlorpheniramine tablet (also behind the counter, but they don't look at you like you've got a problem if you keep buying it), but it apparently wasn't sedating enough. I may try again with a whole one, which shouldn't hurt him.

At least he didn't have a paradoxical reaction. My dog back in VA just got extra-hyper when the vet approved our giving her some Xanax. :/ Still, bit of a shame we didn't get Max to the vet's in advance, since Valium or similar is not overkill here.

Max also freaks out when the pressure drops suddenly and/or low enough, apparently anticipating thunder. He'll calm down after a while if there isn't any. Glad the Benadryl works for Heef!

[ex_angiereedgarner191]

I've found that treating him promptly for the anxiety has meant that I don't have to treat him as much... the less anxious he ever becomes, the less likely he is to become anxious. We're down to maybe once a month instead of every time a cloud blows by. Let me know how the Nytol works if you try it.

[urocyon]

That makes sense. This evening, I forgot to give Max any Kalms because I hadn't heard any fireworks yet. So he's hiding in the bathroom, anticipating the horribleness. I just gave him some doped cheese, rolled in instant hot chocolate mix so he'd eat it once he's already nervous. So, hopefully he'll be out before long. Tomorrow, I'll be sure to give it to him earlier. :(

I have forgotten to ask Ingvar to pick up some Nytol (I haven't been getting out, with the mono or whatever it is), but will let you know once we try it.

[mrs_tribble]

D'awwww!

I shouldn't have giggled either, but he just looks so sorry for himself and I want to smoosh him! :D

[urocyon]

At least I think I'm laughing with him. :)

He was in there again last night. Ingvar has started calling it The Bunker. :)