Tuesday, October 12, 2010

The Blustery Day

Windows are rattling, trees are swaying, waves are crashing, and I think our fence has seen its last gust. It is definitely fall in Juneau. The power went out at work today and the emergency lights came on...in the middle of naptime. Needless to say, the toddlers were very confused and frustrated when I made them all stay on their nap mats although it appeared that nap time was over. Luckily I got to duck out early in order to make it home in time for my online Spanish class and left the other ladies to corral the restless toddlers.

During my fifteen minute drive from downtown to the valley, I drove ten miles under the speed limit the whole way home because I was convinced my truck was going to blow off the road and be sucked into the flooded wetlands. I made it to my laptop just in time to plug in my super-awesome-stylish-drive through window headset and sign on to my class. So if you've ever taken one of these types of classes, you know that you have to press a button to talk and then press it again to turn off your microphone. Today, every time I pressed the button to talk, a gust of wind picked up and Crimson started to cry. Crimson hates wind.

It is perfectly acceptable to be afraid of storms. Windows and doors rattling, creaking noises. They're enough to make anyone tense. Crimson goes far and beyond being tense. He shakes and cries the saddest cry. He paces around the house, checking every room. He is a mess. There was one night last fall, none of us got a wink of sleep because Crimson was freaking out. He started out on his bed on the floor, panting and whining, staring at the windows. Then he started pacing. He circled around the bed, sticking his nose in my face and letting out a desperate groan. Finally I put him on the bed with my arm around him, but he wouldn't stop shaking and every time a big gust blew by, he kicked me. After I couldn't take it anymore, he was banished to the garage where we assumed we wouldn't be able to hear him. Instead he started barking and scratching on the door with such fervor, he had to be let back inside and the cycle started again.

I have this awful feeling that tonight is going to be a repeat of that wonderful night last year. Crimson is already staring at the windows every time the windows rattle as if someone or something is going to break through at any second. His cries have gotten longer and higher pitched. Once the pacing begins, I know we're in for a long night.

4 comments:

  1. LMAO! I totaly know what you're talking about. We have a Russian Springer Spaniel that comes into the shop to get groomed and he is a mess. He cries all the time and barks a super highpitched bark from the minute he gets there until the time he leaves. It's so bad I set his bark as my ring tone for his owner in my cell phone so I know not to answer and set that appointment. LOL Good job communicating the effect this had on you. You had tension without anything happening. Great!

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  2. I love how well you incorporate your dogs into your blogs. Seamless.

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  3. Awwwwwww. I felt bad for poor Crimsom. Reminded me of the best dog I ever had. She was terrified of loud noises and the poor thing just freaked on the 4th of July, thunderstorms, and at the shooting range. I really miss that ole gal. As for you: Great writing!

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  4. I'm sorry to say that this made me smile a little bit, just because I could imagine the poor puppy wandering around wondering what that terrible noise was outside when everyone else seemed not to notice it.
    Good thing the Taku Winds don't last all winter!

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