Even though our hundred pound German Shepherd looks ferocious, he's nothing but a scaredy cat. Let me tell you about his latest scaredy cat episode.
There have been Diwali celebrations in our neighborhood. (It's a big Indian holiday for those who aren't familiar with it.) People have been shooting off fireworks every night. Schultz doesn't like it. When I came home from work, he immediately ran over to me and tried to hide between my legs. He just about knocked me over.
"Schultz. Chill. What's the matter?"
That's when I heard the fireworks go off. He looked at me with his brown soulful eyes and whimpered.
"It's okay, Schultz," I said, petting his head. "It's just fireworks."
More went off. I sat down and Schultz put his head on my lap. That dog would not leave my side until the fireworks stopped.
(Meanwhile, Bootsy, our cat, sat nearby watching the whole thing with utter disdain. After a while, he parked himself on the back porch and enjoyed the rest of the fireworks show. He's not a scaredy cat!)
Before I go, I'd like to thank Tracy Terry for her wonderful review of my book, Ten Zany Birds! You can read her comments here.
Poor Schultz. Score one for Bootsy.
ReplyDeleteBootsy couldn't believe what a scaredy cat Schultz was!
DeleteI've noticed over my lifetime that there are more dogs afraid of fireworks and loud noises than cats. Not sure why that is. I have had to comfort many a dog, myself.
ReplyDeleteMaybe their ears are bigger. Schultz has satellite dish ears!
DeleteI've always preferred Bootsy :)
ReplyDeleteFirecrackers boom like crazy on New Year's Eve here, it's crazy, some dogs even die from the shock
I figured you were a cat person. Poor dogs!
DeleteMy Cocker Spaniel Toto was a scaredy cat, too. She barked and freaked out when neighbors set off fireworks. In her later years Toto became hard of hearing and remained perfectly calm during the din.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sherry!
In that case, being hard of hearing was a blessing for Toto.
DeleteFireworks can be loud. And sudden. I understand why Schultz was scared.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is understandable. Service dogs who worked on battle fronts are even more sensitive to the noise of fireworks.
DeleteMy late great Faulkner was easily frightened. He suffered through fireworks and thunderstorms. Eventually, he went deaf, so the noises didn't bother him anymore, but he couldn't hear me say his name or sing his special song to him. I will miss that dog every single day for the rest of my life.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Faulkner was a good boy! I am sorry he is no longer with you.
DeletePoor Schultz, I can understand what he went through. Many pets here dislike the noise of firecrackers.
ReplyDeleteI don't know too many dogs that like them.
Deletehaha Schultz upped by Bootsy. Fireworks many dogs never seem to like
ReplyDeleteBootsy is a brave cat.
DeleteWe had a dog for many years before the cat came along, Sheba (the dog) always seemed to be the boss over Tabitha.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Sherry.
Yvonne.
Around here, Bootsy is the boss!
DeleteLOL! You just never know what you're going to get with these animals. Funny!
ReplyDeleteThey can be characters!
DeleteThe funny thing is, in my experience, dogs are bigger scaredy cats than cats most of the time. My doberman pinscher was terrified of thunderstorms, fireworks, etc. But maybe their hearing is better than a cat's, so it's more painful? My cats are pretty hard to faze.
ReplyDeleteMy cat, Bootsy, doesn't seem to be afraid of anything. He's also quite the critter killer. A ferocious beast! Schultz wouldn't hurt a fly.
DeleteMy cats aren't bothered by fireworks, but alarms and loud knocks will startle them. I feel bad for dogs when it's time for July 4th and New Year's Day.
ReplyDeleteIt's really rough on dogs when fireworks are going off.
DeleteOh dear! Puts me in mind of my brother in laws dog. Bred as a police dog she sadly didn't make it - a vet having officially diagnosed her as being one of the most stupid dogs he'd ever come across.
ReplyDeleteA huge German Shepherd, one of Ellie's biggest fears was the wind. The least sound of which had her opening the bathroom door and cowering IN the bath.
Haha! Wow! At least Schultz isn't stupid. ;-)
DeleteDogs definitely seem to get more scared. One of our boys is very highly strung and needed to stay with his mummy on our Fireworks Night, November 5th. He's a total mummy's boy at the best of times though!
ReplyDeletePoor baby!
DeletePoor Schultz! I'm sure Bootsy felt very superior.
ReplyDeleteUndoubtedly
DeleteI have a dog that is scared of thunder and lightning and fireworks, but not it's just lightning for he's 15 and deaf! Cats are unique.
ReplyDeleteHe must feel the vibrations.
DeleteAww, poor Schultz. I've known many a dog afraid of thunder and fireworks. Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteYou too!
DeleteYou've a German Shepherd, Sherry? Envy! I've always wanted a big dog........ xoxo
ReplyDelete