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Reasons to be cheerful 2022

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  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    I'm pretty sure I've mentioned before that my niece has a Staffy which goes totally demented every time somebody enters the house - even the owners.  We went to their house on Christmas Day and this dog, which looked like theirs (Rocco), came running into the hall, got half up onto his back legs then dropped down again and trotted into the living room.  He was good as gold all day.  He was wearing what I can only describe as a doggy jumper and they thought that may have been unsettling him.  However, when we went over again on New Years Eve he was great again.  We're just hoping he stays that way now.
    They deny they have replaced him and had the new one painted to look like the original.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited January 2022
    Could it have been one of these @KT53 ?

    https://thundershirt.com/products/thundershirt-for-dogs 

    I’ve known them to be very successful in calming excitable and anxious dogs. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    No Dove, it just had Happy Christmas on it and made of stretch material.  Not designed to calm him but it certainly seemed to do the job, and for a lot less than $45 too.  Maybe it's just being wrapped in something which has the calming effect.  We'll know if he's still OK when we see him without it on.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    It is being ‘firmly wrapped’ that dogs find calming … like sometimes babies being swaddled can be really calming. 
    It’s a similar thing to the weighted blankets that help some autistic children to sleep calmly. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    Every year a village near us holds a charity quiz in aid of church funds. It is normally very challenging and my wife and I spend lots of energy in trying to crack it. We also ask a small group of erudite friends (thank you @B3) to assist. 

    Well we were very pleased to learn this afternoon we have won again, and the prize is something from one of our favourite shops in Uppingham. We always say to the organiser we are happy to stand down in the following year but she will not hear of it. 

    The New Year has got off to a good start.
    Rutland, England
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    It is being ‘firmly wrapped’ that dogs find calming … like sometimes babies being swaddled can be really calming. 
    It’s a similar thing to the weighted blankets that help some autistic children to sleep calmly. 

    Very interesting Dove.  It certainly makes sense, and if it continues to have the same effect it will be great.  He certainly doesn't object to wearing it and did remain calm even after it was taken off.  He went a bit daft at midnight on New Years Eve when family members were hugging but calmed down again in a couple of minutes.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    There’s a fair bit of  online literature (as well as advertising) on the theory of how it works @KT53    🙂

     I used to work with an OccupationalTherapist who had studied it in some depth and used the techniques to help some of the very autistic and anxious youngsters we worked with.

    Her OT Assistant kept Staffies and found Thunder Shirts really helped keep them calm in stressful or otherwise exciting situations … firework night, moving house, going to the beach etc. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • didywdidyw Posts: 3,573
    I spent a pleasant while listening to these:
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/34jF1nwh8Z32sbB92dH23yf/listen-and-learn-a-beginner-s-guide-to-identifying-birdsong?fbclid=IwAR337A_wt14D6Vj5TYtIMVJRxA1QGvsbE6llPxTCM4g6w_5xANfo75glyZk#xtor=CS8-1000-[Promo_Box]-[News_Promo]-[News_Promo]-[BBC_DEFAULT~N~~P_GuidetoIdentifyingBirdsong]
    And then, when we were coming in yesterday, I stopped and listened to a charming blackbird singing his little heart out.  Until he looked at me and stopped so I continued into the house.
    Gardening in East Suffolk on dry sandy soil.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The Railway Children is on  :)
    The only problem is - the ending. I'll be weeping.  :'(

    Maybe I should just get all my waterproofs on and get a soaking when out for my walk, rather than waiting till it clears up a bit....
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Glad you're going to enjoy it. 😏 I always found the children insufferably posh.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
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