More Sleeping Dogs

I just gave the dog 3.5 teaspoonsful of Benadryl (or is it teaspoonfulS?-the debate never ends), in the hopes of sedating her enough to make it through this stormy night without me killing her. We have had her since she was six weeks old; I can't think of any traumatic experiences she has had since that time that would create such a phobia in her, but the animal is shaking-in-her-shoes-afraid of thunderstorms, windstorms, rain, and my cell phone beeping: pretty much anything that disturbs the air pressure. She cowers and quivers, shakes and drools,pants and paces, and pretty much annoys the heck out of all of us whenever the weather turns wacky.

Last night was a bad one. First she got kicked out of Mitch's room, where she usually sleeps, because she was drooling all over everything and panting so loud he couldn't sleep. Then she got kicked out of the family room where Will was having a sleepover, because she was drooling all over the sleeping bags, and in her anxiety she tipped over the Cheez-Whiz can and sprayed artificial cheese everywhere, spilled the soda and crushed the chips. They brought her upstairs and shut her in the kitchen. Then she woke me up jumping against the kitchen door, scratching and whining. I got up with her a couple times, but finally had to resort to chaining her up outside.

Tonight the weather is supposed to be even worse, and she has been a basket case since the wind started about 8 o'clock tonight. Hence the Benadryl. She is now sleeping peacefully in the hallway. I hope I haven't killed her.

Also tonight, Lady Luck was with me at the Fun Park. I played Wheel of Fortune and got the 300 ticket bonus!! Cheap prizes for everyone! Livvi got a princess duck that squirts water, Audrey got a blow up hammer in the shape of a zebra head, Will got a paratrooper and some bouncy balls, and Duncan got a Nerd rope. Those 300 tickets also provided a tiny stuffed animal and some candy to our neighbors who were there with us. And that's what's great about America- you spend $15.00 for an hour's entertainment and .30cents worth of prizes, and you leave feeling great!