Bo and Those Crazy Storms

Thought I would write a little about Bo, my border collie. Bo has a fear of Thunder storms. From what I hear from other people, this is common with Border Collies. He also has a sixth sense when one is coming, something to do with the ability to “feel” the drop in barometric pressure.

Bo, the Border Collie

Bo, the Border Collie


Once he knows the weather is coming, he begins to have anxiety attacks. He pants, drools and goes crazy trying to jump up on counters; I think he feels a need to get to higher ground! I have spent many nights in the 7 years of Bo’s life helping him through these attacks and waiting out the Thunderstorm. My husband probably thinks I am crazy for getting up at 2:00am in the morning when Bo comes to the bedroom door. Probably may not be the right word here, more like absolutly! Sitting with Bo in the bathroom with the vent fan on to drown out some of the thunder and rain noises is just one of the many fun ways I spend stormy nights. Just last night, I found myself lying on the floor in the closet with Monty, next to the kennel with Bo in it. I put him in the kennel when the storms are going to be around for a while because I have to medicate Bo when he is in there or he will scratch the metal door and hurt himself, so I sit with him in the bathroom, the hall, in the past, it has been in the guestroom , living room , on the guest bed on the floor of the laundry room, you name it, we have waited the weather out there! I guess you might think this a little crazy and You are probable correcting in thinking that.
Most of the time it works out better just to take both Monty and Bo into the bathroom and sit until the storm passes.I would love to hear from others about the crazy things you do for your pets.  Send me your stories via the comments link.

Menageries

Growing up, we had a menagerie of pets. Not just dogs, I am talking a zoo! We had raccoons, possums, a de-scented skunk, Yellow head parrots, Red head parrots, African grays, 2 Macaws and a very large Boa Constrictor. Throw in, at various times, a standard poodle, a boxer, a Chihuahua, many assorted cats and well, I guess you can see where my love of animals came from.

My sister and I used to bring Boo, our raccoon up to the room when we were doing homework, we used to chase him and he would run around the bed, from top to bottom, as we laughed uncontrollabley, he would run very fast, over the top of the bed, swing over the side and run across the bottom of the bed using the mattress liner to hold on to and the wooden floor to slide his back on. It was really funny until my Mom looked under the bed; Boos claws had shredded the box spring lining!

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My brother used to do his homework with, Sam, the Boa Constrictor wrapped around him, thank goodness they were both always well feed. Snakes are not warm and fuzzy pets by any stretch of the imagination but my mom and brother really loved that Boa. Many times he would get out of his glass pen and my mom would have to get my brother out of school to come home and find Sam. He had a sixth sense about that snake.

My mom never thought a pet had to be your standard dog or cat! Each of these pets brought their own unique lessons into my life and became an important part of our family.

My kids were not quiet as lucky as I was. They had many pets growing up, my son had an Iguana once and we always had dogs and cats over the years but nothing like the zoo I was privileged to grow up with!

Bo and Monty

I would like to introduce you to our two dogs, Bo Jangles, a/k/a  Bo and Montgomery Gentry a/k/a Monty, Scooter,  Monty Poo.  Bo and Monty aren’t just dogs, they are family. Like brothers, they are never far a part. Monty defers to Bo as any adoring younger brother would; Even though, push came to shove, Monty has the bigger bit! It is so much fun to watch their interaction with each other. When Bo is all agitated and afraid during a thunderstorm, Monty will lie right outside his Kennel as if to reassure him that all will be well. If treats are given, Monty wolfs his down in seconds then goes over to Bo to await any pieces that might fall off when Bo bites it. If it is not a favored treat for Bo, he doesn’t care if Monty gets it, however if he really likes the treat, he will growl in a very low tone and Monty seems to know that means back off, this is mine!

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When we first adopted Bo, we lived in Deep South Texas where they have a lot of sheep. Border Collies are excellent working dogs and bred to herd. When Bo was just 8 weeks old, he went into a pen with about 20 baby lambs, from the moment he went in, he knew he was suppose to move those animals somewhere, it was amazing to watch. He would go from one side of the group to the other and get them moving! Because we had no sheep on our place, Bo began to herd us each evening when we walked up the road to close the gate. We finally determined that he had to be working so we started bringing a Frisbee along for him to catch. He loved it. Playing with a ball or a Frisbee is Bo’s way of socializing and he will catch it, whatever it is, until your arm falls off.

monty
Monty is our Bassador. His mother was a full blood Basset Hound and his father was a Labrador and well, we don’t like to think of what else!  We often refer to him as a bulldozer. When he was just a pup, we adopted him from the SPCA. I knew I wanted another dog to be buddies with Bo. I was up in Dallas visiting with family so off I went to the animal shelters in town. My Daughter and Grand-daughter went with me. When we saw Monty in his cage, there were two or three other people looking at him. I ask one of the workers if we could get him out and visit in one of the rooms. She got him and brought him over. His little short legs and broad long body made him quiet the sight! It was love at first site.  Monty (Scooter as my husband calls him) has such a sweet laid back attitude and is so devoted to our family. Unlike Bo, Monty loves to lie around and will roll onto his back to have his belly scratched with no prompting! He has big ole stinky feet and the warmest, loving eyes.

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More of the Bo and Monty show to come. Stay tuned!

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