This time of year, thunderstorms are common in Northeast Florida.  If your dog, cat, or other animal is afraid of thunderstorms, they may want to hide in a safe place, such as under the bed or in a crate, perhaps with blankets and toys.  Background sounds, from a white noise machine, a fan, or even the radio or television, can help.  So can a canine ThunderShirt, which can give a dog the feeling of being hugged.  Your veterinarian can decide whether medication might be appropriate.  Despite outdated and debunked advice to avoid reinforcing fearful behavior, it’s best to comfort your animal with soothing words and petting, if that’s what they seem to want.

There is a more positive aspect to thunderstorms.  When we hear the thunder and see the lightning, we can contemplate one of the legends from the spiritual wisdom of the Choctaw people.  The Great Sun Father wanted the people to have warning of storms.  He assigned the task to two birds, Heloha and Melatha.  Before they actually began the work, Heloha, a slow and giant bird, laid her huge eggs on a cloud.  Those eggs rumbled as they rolled around.  Then Melatha, a small and swift bird, streaked across the sky so quickly that he caused sparks in the air.  So, before they had even set out to accomplish the task assigned by the Great Sun Father, Heloha and Melatha created the very warning system that had been requested of them.

When the thunder rolls and the lightning flashes, may your animals feel safe and secure, and may you be blessed by the spirit of Heloha and Melatha.