Morning of Day 2, Calming Collar

Mother Nature 1
Morgan 1
Me 0

Well, in all honesty, I have to give credit to the calming collar.  It did have a positive effect on her.

Last night, we were in the middle of a horrible thunder storm cell.  Most of the evening and until this morning we were under a warning.  We also had a watch for tornado's.  To my knowledge none touched down near us.  There was one about an hour away in Emporium.  I hope no one was seriously hurt.  And on that note, our thoughts and prayers go out to the people in Alabama and Georgia after the tornado's that touched down there.

Last night, there was a strange energy hanging around the house.  All the pets were on edge, so was I... I was feeding off of them.

Morgan wanted to come upstairs with us to sleep, but I told her she needed to stay downstairs and sleep with Tucker.  Petey couldn't decide where to go.

At one point, Morgan had climbed through the gate and was almost upstairs when I caught her and sent her back down.  Some time later, she succeeded and ended up in Drew's room.  I thought I heard her, but fell back asleep.  I got up to check on everyone before "really" going back to bed, and found her laying on Drew's bed.  I was most unhappy.

I got her out of his room, and she ran into my doll/kitty room and was on the bed.  I tried to move her off the bed, but she rolled over onto her back and tried to fight me.  I got a hold of her collar and pulled her off the bed.  Then proceeded to send her downstairs to sleep for the rest of the night.

This morning she didn't want to go out, when I put Petey out.  But did come out from under the couch, when she heard the kitties getting their morning meal.  She went out without struggle.

They are calling for another severe thunderstorm to come in this evening.  Lets hope it's not as bad as the one like last night.

Day 1, Calming Collar

This afternoon at Walmart, I bought Morgan a calming collar.  It's by Pro-Pet.  Anti-stress?  What stress does the dog have, seriously?  Last I checked, she didn't have to worry about bills, cleaning the house or trying to keep everyone happy.... I guess that's just "my" job. I wonder if it would work on me?  I'm sure Drew and Brian would appreciate a less-yelling kind of day.

So far so good.   Today, has been a very stormy day.  If you live in the US, I'm sure you've noticed that Mother Nature, is a bit on the cranky side. 

With all the thunder, strong-pelting rain and high winds we've been having, Morgan has been out and is currently sleeping on the couch, while Petey (our other dog), is curled up under my legs.  He doesn't like thunder.

We're cautiously optimistic that the calming collar and her puppy-prozac will help ease the tension in the house and make it peaceful again... well as peaceful as a home can be with a three year.

Looking forward to reporting good news tomorrow... until then.... stay dry.

Morgan and Petey.

Happy Birthday Peaches!

Today, is our "senior kitty advisor" Peaches birthday!  Happy 8th Birthday!

Entry April 26, 2010

Hi, thanks for checking in with my blog.  Sorry it's been a while since I wrote, but things have been crazy here, especially with our dog, as you'll understand after reading the post.

This post is actually my monthly article for the CH Kitty Newsletter.  By recopying it, it just saves me time.  What can I say, I'm a busy a mom.

**

This edition of CH cats and kids is going to be a bit more serious, as I really need some advice on a situation going on. I welcome e-mails on any advice that you want to share.  Please feel free to comment or send me a personal message.
Many of us have made exceptions and bent the rules on what we are willing to do and accept for our CH sweetie. We’ve made special rooms for them, made them “enclosures” where they can be safe when we aren’t there to watch them, and thrown the idea of a litter box, right out the window. We’ve talked ourselves into knowing that its ok to do this. They have special needs, and if they were a child, we’d make these accommodations for them as well. We wouldn’t think twice about ramps or special flooring for them.

From reading past articles of CH Cats and Kids, your aware of the trials and tribulations we’ve faced with Tucker. Finally (knock on wood), we have found a solution to his potty habits, and he loves to go on newspaper. I’m so proud when I see him walk across the room to go into his room and use the papers. I know he still has accidents, and goes on the carpet or the throw rug. We think besides just the CH, Tucker might also have a bit of mental retardation. But because we know he’s “special” we are more tolerant of these behaviors from him.

With that being said, now I need to talk to you about our dog, Morgan. We’ve had Morgan for about seven years. She’s between 10 and 11 years old, we adopted her from our local SPCA so we can only guess at how old is she and what she has endured in her life. We assume she was abused before being found by the SPCA. She had been walking the streets. She’s very skittish of men and strange situations and people. She’ll hide if you raise your voice, which is frequently since we have a toddler to redirect.

We’ve had her on meds, which had helped for a long time, before she leveled out on them. We took a year off the meds, but the behaviors became worse and recently we began working with our vet to come up with a new game plan.

Sadly, nothing that we’re trying is working. Her behaviors are out of hand, and I’m at my wits end with her. The vet calls her incorrigible. At a recent exam, we tested her urine since she has been eliminating in our sons room and in our living room. Dr. Herring said with a perfect test result, that’s all he can say. We have wiggle room with her meds, but they obviously aren’t working. When my husband is home (he works away) Morgan is a dream. She listens, she goes outside to use the potty and life is just easier. But, when Brian is gone Morgan acts out.

We’ve tried crating her, and she barks non stop. She was ok being in Tuckers “room”, because she could see us. But what kind of life is that? And where would I put Tucker?

I’m so frustrated with her, that I’m contemplating putting her to sleep. Which is something I can’t rationalize since she is so healthy, just mentally unstable. I’ve talked with rescue groups, and friends who are rescuers who have given me great advice. One of my rescue friends, actually said what kind of life is she having if she is hiding constantly? And she’s right. What kind of life is that? I couldn’t imagine living with such constant fear and uncertainty.

This week, I’m going to start ripping up the only bit of carpet remaining in our downstairs, because I just can’t stand stepping in something that doesn’t belong there, and lets be honest, first and foremost it’s unfair to our son.

So, please leave me a message on the board or e-mail if you have any suggestions to help make our lives less dramatic when it comes to Morgan.

From our CH sweeties (and other furbabies) to your family: Happy Mothers Day, Happy Memorial Day and Happy May!