Dogs and Rain

It’s monsoon season in Tucson. During the monsoon’s, Tucson gets heavy rains usually late in the afternoon, high winds and a lot of thunder and lightening. Rainy season in the desert is worth the trouble it brings.
So what if power lines go down and washes run so full cars can’t cross?So what if it stays muggy and hot and wet and smelly? It’s such a blessing for the desert to get rain and so many things come out like toads and bugs and little baby birds. We actually see more green after the rains.
For dogs, the monsoon season can mean fear and trauma. Many dogs are afraid of thunder. Most dogs get a bit upset with the barometric changes.
I’m taking care of two dogs this week. Both are different. Shadow, a black lab (and I suspect pit bull) mix is not necessarily afraid of thunder. But his housemate Mackey is. Shadow simply takes it all in stride. As long as you pay attention to him, play tug from time to time and feed him on time, he seems happy.
Mackey is a wonderful bearded collie. A big dog with long hair and beady little eyes. He shakes and shivers and climbs into bed with me at night when the thunder starts.
Mackey will jump and start at the slightest noise. When the neighbor slams his car door he runs and hides. Most loud noises bother him. But get him outside after a good rain and Mackey is in his element. He plows through the puddles and gets his coat and paws and belly wet until the hair hangs in tangles from his back. He seems to love the water.
Mackey explores and sniffs as he walks. He never seems to tire of finding a new rock to smell or another path to take.
Shadow, on the other hand. takes his walks by carefully skirting puddles or walking quickly through them as though he was a prancing horse. He normally walks in a straight line, with a steady pace, face forward seemingly able to go on forever. But after a rain, he gets thrown off course by the simplest of puddles.
Funny how dogs are different.