06 August 2008

Things we do for love

Ok, if there is some kind of prize for people who obsessively love their pets and do crazy things for them and if I get hit by a bus before I can get the award that I so richly deserve, will someone please nominate me to get it posthumously? Because I really should get one.

You KNOW how much Goldie likes fireworks. They are right up there with rectal thermometers and deer ticks in the Goldie Dog Book o' Fun Things. Actually I know for a fact she would rather have either of those things than to suffer through fireworks nearby.

Every night (EVERY STINKING NIGHT) for the duration of the 12-day county fair, there are fireworks at 10 pm. We live about 1/2 mile from the fairgrounds.

So every night at 9:45, Goldie and I jump in the car and I drive like Lot fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah to Carpinteria, about 15 miles north, where I turn around and drive back home.

Every stinking night.

It has worked out better for her than for me. She hasn't been traumatized, but I usually go to bed about 10, since I get up 5:15ish. When I get home after our drive, I can't go to bed right away and end up twittering at midnight. Yawn.

I may fall asleep at my desk and be fired and end up homeless in a cardboard box, but at least my dog will be calm.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

For four days every August, the Blue Angels spend a couple of hours each day flying back and forth over my house, in order to practice for the air show and give my cat diarrhea. I have thought about driving her around in the car during those times, but she also hates the car. Her vet prescribed a mild tranquilizer for her (Acepromazine); I give her a quarter tablet a couple of hours before the (gross waste of jet fuel and tax dollars) awesome practice sessions, and it makes her a little dopey for a few hours, but also super calm and continent.

That One said...

I, too, have a dog that hates fireworks. (He's the one featured in my Wordless Wednesday post this week.)

This year, when we had a gathering at the lake for the 4th of July fireworks, I took him to the dog-sitter. His melt downs are not pretty. Much pacing, panting, and drooling. Poor guy.

lizgwiz said...

I will nominate you for that award, if you will also nominate me for driving to work twice a day on the weekends, merely to feed a stray cat. Deal?

Glennis said...

You're so devoted to Goldie! And she deserves it.

My dogs never were terribly affected by fireworks, although I once had a dog who was afraid of thunder and lightning!

Insane Mama said...

I love the Blue Angels, I live a little too west to enjoy their show though.

My dogs can't stand fireworks either.

Anonymous said...

My dog HATES fireworks! I am still taking my dog out right before it gets dark so she will actually go outside to do her business. She now associates night & darkness with there's going to be fireworks!

LittlePea said...

My dog is scared of them too. And thunder. I turn the dryer on and he hides on a cushion in the laundry room. Goldie is a lucky girl.

Marisa said...

That is very sweet. The other night in the middle of a big thunderstorm I got up around 2am and snuggled with our dog on the couch to make sure he wasn't anxious.

Green-Eyed Momster said...

We sell tons of Bach's Rescue Remedy for pets. We have a lot of thunderstorms in the summer here and people come into the store all the time and ask if we have Rescue Remedy for animals. I say "yes we do! It's for people too!" I hope you'll give it a try. I'd mail you some if I had your address!! Best wishes for a restful weekend!! Hugs!! :)

Kizz said...

Oh that's brilliant! You're so smart and kind. I wish I had that option with my girl. The older she gets the less consolable about fireworks, thunder, cars backfiring...

Anonymous said...

You are a better person than I, for I am not sure I love my dog that much. Maybe I should send my dog to live with you! Although the rest of my family would be bummed, I bet.

mar said...

you are so good to goldie. maybe i shouldn't be a doggy mama. i'm not sure i could be so thoughtful & caring.

J said...

You're totally kind.

Our dog pees herself, she's so afraid of the fireworks. We finally figured out that if we just turn the tv on and leave it kind of loud, it drowns out the noise. Problem solved, no gas money spent. ;)

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