July 3, 2021

White Dog asked Steve to allow her to sleep in the office in Tizenegy's old bed. The noisy hellish flashes of the start of the Independence Day weekend was coupled by a thunderstorm; the two were point and counterpoint to each other well into the late night.

The White Dog Army brings baggage that causes stress and fear during stroms and fireworks and while we administer herbal calming tablets and play distracting music, Bailey, Opal, and Roman have severe reactions. White Dog has a more moderate dislike but still is shaken. 

The office is the room most protected from the outside world especially when the light- and sound- dampening shades are lowered. It is where Bailey seeks refuge in times like these. Opal, too, hides out in that room...when she is not nervously pacing. White Dog wanted to show solidarity with her sisters by sleeping in the bed next to Bailey's crate choice, a bed large enough that Opal could snuggle with her if she chose. Opal squeezed into the crate with Bailey before exiting to pace the hallway.

In the bedroom, Roman listened to Stravinsky's version of the Firebird Suite while ressed as tightly as possible against momma's legs. It was thrilling that he entrusted me with his security enough that he was able to stop panting and shut his eyes. "Sweet Boy," I said looking down at him, "there will be more of the booms happening over the next few days until humans get tired of the novelty. Know you are safe."

Zsofia, the only member of the White Dog Army totally unaffected by the noise waked around giving comfort and nuzzles before settling next to me on the bed.