Tales of Hunter, the accidental pet
This was the first year in a long time that the Army base did not have a Fourth of July fireworks show or celebration. We have taken the grand kids a couple of times but last year was the first time they could really enjoy it. Charlie had staked us out a good spot in the parking lot of the Officers Club and we had chairs and snacks and even had met up with our neighbors who were there to enjoy the fireworks too. In the past we took our kids to the celebrations of all the different bases we were stationed at. It was a tradition of sorts. Some of our best memories were of those times so it was with some degree of disappointment we planned a firework less fourth. This was also the first year we had a dog on the fourth. Did not think far enough ahead and plan for him and his anxiety. The same neighbors we met at the base were the ones who invited us to join them in a celebration at home this year. They planned for a good show. As we drove up to the neighborhood we saw cars parked on the side of the road and people watching the fireworks being set off in our neighborhood. It was quite fun and not just one show but 3 different ones in the same neighborhood. We enjoyed ourselves even if Hunter did not.
This was the first year in a long time that the Army base did not have a Fourth of July fireworks show or celebration. We have taken the grand kids a couple of times but last year was the first time they could really enjoy it. Charlie had staked us out a good spot in the parking lot of the Officers Club and we had chairs and snacks and even had met up with our neighbors who were there to enjoy the fireworks too. In the past we took our kids to the celebrations of all the different bases we were stationed at. It was a tradition of sorts. Some of our best memories were of those times so it was with some degree of disappointment we planned a firework less fourth. This was also the first year we had a dog on the fourth. Did not think far enough ahead and plan for him and his anxiety. The same neighbors we met at the base were the ones who invited us to join them in a celebration at home this year. They planned for a good show. As we drove up to the neighborhood we saw cars parked on the side of the road and people watching the fireworks being set off in our neighborhood. It was quite fun and not just one show but 3 different ones in the same neighborhood. We enjoyed ourselves even if Hunter did not.
The Fourth of July
WHAT IS THAT?! WHERE IS IT COMING FROM?! I look around and I see grandma and grandaddy sitting in their usual spots. Not even reacting to the loud noises and windows rattling. How is that possible? " Hunter, calm down. It's just night firing on base. It can't get to you or hurt you. We wouldn't let that happen." How could you stop it, there is no way to tell where it is coming from or where it will strike next. BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! I jump up and wedge myself behind grandma's legs and as far under the couch as I can get. Ratatatatatatatatatatata! Ratatatatatatatatatatata! Grandma gets up to goes to the kitchen and I follow close on her heels. "Granddaddy call him please. I would like to use the restroom a-l-o-n-e." She implores. "Hunter! Come here boy it's OK, grandma will come back." I'm torn. Where do I go? "Come here boy!" Grandaddy calls so I go to him and sit directly on his feet. This has got to be the worst night yet. "It won"t last much longer, so just sit here and calm down." He says rubbing my head and ears. OK, but I'm not convinced. Shortly after that all the booming and shaking stops. "Finally! It gets longer each time." He says. "I know," says grandma "who would have thought the base would expand so far out this way? I know we didn't consider it 20 years ago when we moved here." "Well , it's done now so let's go to bed. Come on Hunter, upstairs." OK I say but like it or not I'm sleeping in your room tonight.
"It's just part of his separation anxiety. He will get over it." I hear mom say to grandma on the computer. " he's the same way with thunder." " I know." Said grandma " but it seems to be getting worse." "Just keep reassuring him and making him feel safe and it will get better. Unless you want to hire him a therapist" mom says laughing. Then grandma starts and it's all downhill from there. I decide I've heard enough and go up to my room. Yes, it's my room now. I have taken the guest room. Anyone who comes over to spend the night has to share with me. In my mind at least. The reality is I get booted out. Oh well.
Since I'm new to the neighborhood, Tinkerbell feels she must educate me on the ins and outs of living here. One of the lessons was about how we live so close to the army base that when they have training we get the extra noise and vibrations from that training. When I asked why, she kindly informed me that " it has to go someplace, silly." We are perfectly safe and not to worry. It won't hurt us. Her brothers just laughed and called me a baby. I have to admit that over the next several weeks she was right. I did get more used to it and less afraid. I never saw anything, only heard the sounds and felt the shaking. It didn't get any closer or worse, so I began to relax. I even got so I didn't notice when the big planes went overhead. I started feeling pretty good about myself and dared anyone to call me a baby. Thunder and lightening were still a bit much but no one knew about that.
One day Miss Jackie came over and invited grandma and grandaddy to her house next door for a party in one week. The base wasn't going to have one this year because of budget cuts so they were planning one for home. "Great." Said granddaddy "We'll be there." The day came and I ended up in the house for longer than usual. Grandma and granddaddy were gone till dark so I thought they forgot about the party. Finally granddaddy comes in and says "Come on Hunter let's go, you need to go out and grandma and I need to get next door." OK, so out we go. I had heard music and laughter earlier and now I see grandma already over there and granddaddy left through the gate. I guess I get to stay out for a while. Cool. I hear people talking and laughing, kids running and playing. All of a sudden there was a loud whistling noise and a quick flash. What was that! Then there was another! Soon all kinds of booming, flashing,whistling,sparkling, glowing and smoking things were going off all at once. Oh my goodness! GRANDMA! GRANDADDY! Come quick! Come now! Please come now! I can hear them. I can even see them in the flashing light. They are laughing and watching the THINGS. I run back and forth across the yard but they don't see me. I keep calling for them but they don't hear me. This can't be right. Tinkerbell said it wouldn't come to us but here it is! Why are they out there? More and more booms. More and more flashes. More screeching sounds and fire! I can't believe this, I have to get in where it's safe. I run onto the deck and push on the door. Nothing. I push harder. Still nothing. Suddenly there is an enormous booming, exploding, light flashing wave that pushes open the deck door. I scramble inside, grab my kong toy and run up the stairs to hide. If they want to stay out there that's on them. I tried to warn them but they ignored me. At this point it's every man or dog for himself! Call me a baby if you want. I"m totally OK with that.
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