Monday, July 6, 2009

Fireworks and tables and workouts

On Saturday, Torsten and I didn't have any specific fireworks-viewing plans, but when it got near dusk we decided to take Montana downtown and walk along the river, figuring maybe we'd see some fireworks in the distance. And we did, and it was lovely.

Then we stumbled across this park with a field and a hill, and a small crowd gathering on the hill to watch the fireworks from Mile High Stadium for free. So we joined them, and sat on the hill with the dog. She was fine at first, but then people in the field at the bottom of the hill started setting off amateur fireworks. As each one went off, Montana freaked out more and more.

At first it was just a little whining, then some yelping, them some frightened whimpering, then what I can only describe as moaning, followed by a strange, alarmed, high-pitched bark that I've never heard from her before. At one point, the keening got so bad that it made me think of a woman in the process of giving birth. Everyone was turning around to look and she was clearly petrified and shaking and was totally non-responsive to our attempts to calm her down. So, we gave up and left, as quickly as we could, the dog freaking out all the way.

As we walked along the river away from the fireworks, she started to calm down, and we knew she was over it when she finally pricked up her ears again. We were just starting to feel better about having scared our dog when some drunk asshole started lighting fireworks and dropping them on the sidewalk at random, then continuing on his way. Which, first of all, is dangerous, because without someone standing near it, it's very easy to overlook a firework and come very near it right before it explodes. And second of all, when you have an incredibly freaked-out dog on your hands? You don't want to be picking your way through a landmine of fireworks that are about to explode.

Anyway, so. Lesson learned. Fireworks scare the dog. She'll be staying home next year. Poor thing.

Yesterday was much better. We went back downtown to an arts festival, and although the festival itself was nothing special and also very crowded (making me wonder if we just don't have a good appreciation of festivals? Because I always think they're not great and yet they draw huge crowds), we had a lovely time wandering around, eating lunch, and looking in furniture stores.

And we found a lovely, inexpensive side table to put in our front hallway, the perfect place for keys, sunglasses, dog leashes, etc.--all the stuff that we are currently keeping on our kitchen island, which is not the best place because in theory, that island should be used for food prep. Plus, the table stands right below the mail slot, so our mail won't land on the floor anymore. And I am very thrilled about that. I am less thrilled about the cost of all the other furniture that we want and didn't buy. Again, as with every time we go to a good furniture store, we mentally spent about $10,000. Possibly more. Very frustrating.

We also hit the gym several times, and I am already seeing an improvement in my swimming stamina, which makes me very pleased. And we had a fruitless meeting with a personal trainer, which was very unfortunate, but I think I'll save the details on that one for a post over at Bodies. And I had an amazing gourmet hamburger with cheese and avocado, thereby undoing all of my good gym work. But it was delicious, so... no regrets! I'll just keep moving forward.

25 comments:

  1. I now hate the 4th for that very reason. Spending every fireworks holiday trying to soothe a shaking dog who is looking at me as if to say "Make it stop!!" is not my idea of a good time.

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  2. Poor dog, it's hard to enjoy fireworks in those situations :( I think its nice you have parks over there, I live in such city that even park areas are pretty polluted :(

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  3. Poor Montana. Edie was very scared too.

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  4. Poor doggie!
    Avocados are healthy fat so no harm there. :) I feel the same way about street festivals. So crowded, and yet I don't really get it...

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  5. Every time you describe anything that you and Torsten and Montana do I get all googly eyed and jealous. I think your life is just the dreamiest life ever!

    As hard as it is, the very best thing that you can do for a dog who is afraid of loud noises is ignore the reaction. When you coo and pet and try to soothe, the dog is essentially being rewarded for whining. You are teaching it to freak out, and affirming that there is something to be afraid of. It is heartbreaking and difficult, but the best thing for both of you is to act like nothing is wrong and not try to make the dog feel better at all. She is looking to you for clues about what is safe and what is not. If you don't react to loud noises, eventually she won't either.

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  6. I decided to physically escape my neighborhood with my dog this year and go to my parents' house. For the sole reason that the dog is terrified and starts shaking and shuddering. Most dogs don't deal well with the various fireworks noises (booms, whistles, etc). It was nice and quiet and I had a snoring dog instead of a terrified, shaking dog!

    - Mon

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  7. I really don't understand art festivals, etc. The stuff is overpriced and it is super crowded.

    Oh, and for some reason, our baby SLEPT THROUGH fireworks that our neighbors decided to light right outside our house, but if we sneeze in the hallway, she wakes up. Go figure.

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  8. Aww poor doggy. Hope she's all recovered now. I know why people go to the arts festivals - the food! ;) Glad you had a good 4th!

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  9. Oh, yeah, dogs do NOT like fireworks in my experience. Poor doggy. We had our dog inside a lot more than usual this weekend.

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  10. Aww, poor puppy!

    I LOVE finding a piece for our house that's JUST right - even when I'm mentally spending thousands more. There's just something about getting the right piece into place, and then standing back. I can't wait until I feel like that about every room!

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  11. I've kind of decided that personal trainers are pointlessly evil.

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  12. Festivals always disappoint me. i just don't get it.

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  13. My dog slept peacefully through all of my neighbor's very loud fireworks on Saturday night, and then woke us up during the night last night because it was thundering! I'm not sure how he's scared of one and not the other!

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  14. OH MY GOD! I am unreasonably excited about the fact that you have a TABLE TO PUT KEYS ON!!!
    We currently use the island for that junk because our foyer is way too small for luxuries like a TABLE.
    However, I think we're going to bid on a place this week that is twice the size of our current apartment.
    Hold me, I'm frightened.

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  15. Ahh, the lesson every dog owner learns the hard way, me included. Dogs -- almost ALL dogs, in fact -- and fireworks are a really, really bad mix. They hate 'em. Hate. Sunny freaks out even if they're in the way, way distance. Oy.

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  16. i have a very weird affinity for hall tables. i LOVE them. they're so quaint and wee with their tall legs and little tops.. i don't know. it makes no sense, but there you have it. ;-P

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  17. I learned that the hard way with the dog - very similar experience.

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  18. Poor Montana. We never really have an issue with the dogs getting scared since it is illegal to have fireworks in our city limits, although a few go off each year. However if there is a thunderstorm within a 50 mile radius our Duke is the first to let you know and will break down the door in fright! Best weather forecaster in town!

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  19. i've heard of dogs getting scared of fireworks and it doesn't sound like montana was digging them at all! i'm glad you had a good weekend though!

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  20. Wow I had no idea dogs would panic that much from fireworks. Good to know. Seriously. Glad you had a good weekend!

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  21. As soon as you said you took the dog with you to check out the fireworks, I figured the story was going to take a turn like that! Poor Montana. I'm pretty sure most dogs don't do well with fireworks. The 4th of July is their least favorite holiday, I suspect.

    And I biked 35 miles on Friday and then undid all of that exercise by having a giant ice cream cone. Oh well. It was tasty.

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  22. I will never understand why people take their dogs to firework shows, unless they enjoy torturing them. The advice to "teach your dog not to fear them" is just poor. Dogs don't reason. Fireworks are loud and scary, and the safest place for your dog is locked inside your house. I've spent many years in vet clinics and working with shelters seeing the aftermath of people who "though Fluffy would like fireworks" or didn't lock doors (or gates) tightly enough and Fluffy panicked and ran away.

    I'm totally with you on the festivals!

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  23. I am sorry you are having bad luck with the PT :( At least your swimming is getting better!

    Poor Montana! Fireworks scare me too ;) So do drunken assholes ;)

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  24. Awwww, poor doggie...our Beagle just gets scared by the ones that boom very loudly..she is OK with the flashing of light and even the squealing of most of them...

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  25. That arts festival is like the most prestigious in the state. Interesting you thought it was just 'meh'. We go every year, but we don't buy - too expensive. It's kind of fun to look, but yea, lately when I go I'm just sort of like "well, that was fun, I guess."

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