Happy 4th !!

Forgot to mention this is an awesome photo!

My two boys are 4 and 5. The 4 years old do not mind about the fireworks or thunders, the 5 years old do mind and most of the time goes under the bed. You would think, and by my experience, that living together for 3 years the 5 years old would have learned from his brother but hasn't. From our previous three only one was afraid.

@AMomentInTime I have no idea why I think I never read your profile before and or stopped by to meet your extraordinary "tails" family. It looks like we both have experienced disappointments "around", and I was also distressed around the time Ellen got really sick and went into hospital, some of us know why. I have also left and returned a few times, I also deleted countless of my puzzles. And I am also against the social media situation. I am surprised I am still here. And as for maintaining connection except public, there has always been the PM (private message) but hardly used because at some point it was obvious that they are not as private as we thought.
All your "children" are beautiful! And thank you for being a foster-parent, something I am unable to do because of health issues. Mila

@Tooey I believe this, also. I am especially careful with my fosters who leave for other homes. 😉 They, as my cats and dogs do, learn the word "no," know outside doors can shut quickly so stay back unless harnessed or permission given, and lawn mowers are scary. But we are calm during any storms.

They also like car rides as carriers are fun places to be and car trips, especially to the vet, mean rewards. (Carriers are often left around to explore.) And when the car is in the closed garage, they can go in an out of it, too. But it is harder to clean it when they help. 🤭

It's the same with little kids, your fear will be their fear. They pick up the vibe. Animals do the same. You are the leader.

Sweet picture of Inky and Sita. 💕

A lot of people go the the Tulalip Reservation for the illegal fireworks every year. I think that and the fact that we get something going off every month has kept my boys from being afraid of them. Usually they watch, but last night chose to sleep after only a few minutes. I agree that if we act like they should be scared, they're more likely to have issues.

@Tooey Agree 100%. I act like storms are great. When I have the opportunity to raise them, I reward animals during thunderstorms, etc. with their favorite treats. Inky and Sita know this and their offspring also run to the kitchen looking for tube treats whenever a storm comes.

I also train them to hide if mowers or landscaper noise is outside. This is for protection if they were to accidentally get out. I want them to run from that kind of noise and shelter safely until I arrive with recognizable tube treats.

They know the difference.

It's harder with older rescues. My former feral sleeps now through any noises. He feels safe just being inside. Nanny Lily, the senior dog, ran like crazy and squeezed behind a toilet first thunderstorm. She'll now alert me a storm is coming (like glue) but she'll relax next to me when it arrives. She saves her treat until after. 🤗

They keep each other calm. A cat will look to you when there is a big noise, "Should I be scared?" and if you just keep doing what you are doing, and don't make a big deal out of it they are calm. Mind you if your little buddy is super scared and heads for the hills like a rocket at any loud noise, there is no question for that little purr-son, they want out! No nice words will fix it.

@Tooey I was impressed, but then again I always am, that Inky and Sita want to be together so often. People always write about the scare of fireworks for their animals, but these two actually watched them. And their offspring didn't care because mom and pop were so calm. 😊

Awwww......:-D