Gracie made her home with us over 4 years ago. She still has baggage from the short period of her life that wasn’t what it probably should’ve been. In the past 4+ years, she has never been spanked, hit or slapped. Scolding comes quietly as not to make her afraid. Still, every single time I reach down to stroke her, she flinches. Sad really. I guess humans are more skilled at hiding their fears.
Gracie brought other baggage with her too. Like a fear of thunderstorms so horrific that she pants, paces, trembles and tears up rolls of toilet paper (something she would never do otherwise) until the last raindrop has fallen. The second clouds start rolling in — even before the first clap of thunder — she finds a hiding spot to quiver (always under something, usually behind a chair).
We’ve tried everything from tranquilizers to a crate and nothing helps really. We just know ahead of time that if a storm comes at night, there will be no sleep for humans. Like tonight…