Posting days: Sunday and Wednesday and, sometimes, maybe, extra ‘news flashes’!

Wednesday February 15th 2017

Over the last few weeks I’ve been thinking, “Must blog about the number of peaceful nights we’ve been having lately.” We’ve even had three consecutive nights without the terrors. Not a yip, not a snarl, not even a growl. And certainly no screeching.

Unfortunately, everything changes on Monday night, and Isis stages hysterical outbursts intermittently from 11.45 until well after 4.00. a.m. We try the Doggles. No improvement. We wrestle her, snarling belligerently, into her Thundershirt. The shirt usually works instantly. But not this time.

In desperation, I unearth a large, cotton cushion cover and throw it over her, making sure that she is covered from head to toe.

At last she stops raging and falls asleep. Thoroughly jangled, I, of course, stay awake.

On Tuesday night, it appears that we’re in for a repeat performance, and after the first two rages, I deploy the cushion cover again. There are low growls on two occasions when I wiggle my feet but when I freeze, she stops. I emit a sigh of relief. Tomorrow is early get-up day.

Judging by Hairy One’s responses, I’m guessing that it’s the old light problem again. I haven’t noticed any changes, haven’t noticed that there is more outside light in the room. Obviously, Isis has. A Thunder Hood might work; on the other hand, she can wriggle out from under the cushion cover when she wants to, and she generally does before morning. We’ll stick to the cover and see what happens. Yawn.

Today I stand at an easel for most of the day, so I’m shattered by the time we set off to the park for our evening walk.

Yawn. The park benches beckon. But if I give in to temptation, I’ll be about a hundred yards away from where Isis is playing. Much further than I’ve ever been before.

I watch her carefully. She’s dancing contentedly by the hedge.

I sit down on the bench.

Isis plays happily for about fifty minutes. I watch her like a hawk, of course, but she doesn’t stray.

This is the life!

Isis came from the Aeza cat and dog rescue and adoption centre in Aljezur, Portugal. For information about adopting an animal from the centre, contact kerry@aeza.org or  www.dogwatchuk.co.uk