I have held off writing about the weather. Of course, that's often what's happening down here....
We've just made our way through the El Grito (the alleged speech made in Dolores (but repeated here and many other places through out Mexico), encouraging the locals to join the fight for freedom from foreign powers.
And then there is always Independence day (the next day) when we celebrate the winning of the War of Independence 11 years later. [It's a really big country; it take a while to reach everyone.]
But today was a little different. A few moments ago (about 5:40 pm Central) there was a loud clap of thunder. And not just a 'clap' but a rolling clap of thunder; ea 'peal' I guess.
We'd recently been made aware of a 'natural' remedy for nervous dogs - i.e., Miyake - and, based on the recommendation of a friend, Michael found that our groomer carried the product: Kalman.
A few days ago we had some warning of an upcoming storm and he gave her a drop under her tongue. And while she was a little excited during the storm, she wasn't doing her shaking/vibrating thing for hours.
Today the peal of thunder was the first indication that a storm was here. And although she had started shaking at the first sound of thunder, she is now (a few minutes later) lying down under Michael's computer (her usual spot) and not shaking! Panting a little but relatively calmer than usual.
Now, I'm not a great believer in 'natural' remedies but this seems to actually work!
And do we have any hint that a storm may occur? Yes, but the map that the BBC uses only notes Mexico City and Acapulco. We sort of guess where those indicators of rain are on the map and take it as an indication that there may be rain in the forecast. Not exactly rocket science, but a guess that is better than any local forecasts. [I.E, we have no local forecasts as we have no airport here, and thus, no weather station.] The nearest is the airport in Leon, which is about an hour-and-a-half away from us. The BBC's maps of Mexico and Central America is about as true as we get. At least it's updated throughout the day!
So the thunder peals have retreated into the distance and it's now 'gently' raining. And Miyake is in much better shape than her usual experience. While still panting, she is lying down and not sitting up, hugging the back wall of the room.
Have we thought of a thunder shirt for her? Yes, but they are about $40 and the little vial of Kalman costs only $7.50. And should last a year or so at a drop a storm!
Plus we'd have to wrestle her into the thunder shirt. And if it didn't work, we'd be back to the Kalman, again. If anyone out there is using the thunder shirt, I wish them well. We'll stick with the Kalman in the meanwhile.
