Calming Daifuku Through Thunder and Fireworks Season

Daifuku is a five-and-a-half-year-old Pomeranian with a voice far bigger than his body. Every time thunder rolls over Khon Kaen during the rainy season, he runs under my bed and refuses to come out, even for dinner. Fireworks during Loy Krathong are worse.

What has helped most is boring routine. I close the curtains before the flashing starts, switch on the fan for white noise, and put his old blanket on the bathroom floor, which he apparently considers a fortress. About twenty minutes before the first boom, I give him a lick mat with his favorite soft treat. Something to focus on keeps his mind busy.

Some nights it still doesn't work, and I just sit on the floor with him and hum. He usually falls asleep on my lap before the last rumble. Our vet says patience is the best approach, so that's what we're doing, one storm at a time.