Evening star., 1948-07-03
This and That
Bv Charles Z. Trdce,pell

0y IItUf tCo e. 4fUNcNotk
The way living things greet thunderstorms
Is always interesting.
Some children, for instance, shrink and are
visibly afraid Others welcome the lightning
flashes with delight.
In the old days. it was customary for many
country people to crawl under beds, or lie on
feather beds. as they were called.
1t is still sensible to close all doors and WIN
dows, especially not to stand in an open window
in lightning display.
Dogs and cats, the usual household pets,
differ in their reactions to storms.
Not many of the former mind them, although
a great many Of our canine friends hate the
firecrackers of July 4.
1t Is the household cat who really minds the
thunderstorm.
Not every cat, it is true. Some of them are
storm veterans. Such fellows feel much better
outdoors than indoors.
Being kept in, during a storm, is worse to
them than being in the OPEN They seem to
feel that outside they can hide, whereas in
doors they are trapped.
During a sudden summer storm, the house.
hold cat will stand at the door, asking to be
let out.
In the open, the animal seeks the shelter Of
some porch. The lightning does not frighten it.
On the other paw, the cat afraid OF storms Is
equally scared, indoors or out
The presence Of its human friends does not
seem to reassure such cat.
It knows perhaps an hour in advance, when
thunder and lightning are coming.
1t shows it by acting strangely. 1t may seek
a retreat under bed, or ask to be let down
into the basement
1t may go to the door and meow.
4 II X
Many cats, in such a situation, look at the
windows pointedly.
We know of one that looks UP at the ceiling.
One will yowl at sudden wind, while almost
all will show alarm at sleet at the windows.
Affectionate animals, in the main, are the
ones most affected by storms
The desire to hide seems to be common to
all living things.
Here we see how the mind works, the same
In animals as humans. This Is an odd link.
The desire to hide under q bed in q storm,
seems to satisfy both animal and human mind
In neither case can there be any certain
knowledge Of real help, or assurance OF 1t. The
thing that counts, seemingly, Is the hiding,
itself.
The very fact of hiding afforded the feeling
~of safety.
An aspirin tablet, given to "fraidy cat" at
the beginning of storm, may be helpful
Such doping was done in London during the
blitz and was said to be successful with ultra
tinid pets.
1t works best, Of course, when the sedative
can be given about IN hour ahead of the storm.
This may be known by watching the animal.
There Is not much danger Of an animal being
hit outdoors. It has occurred, but not often.
The reason a human being stands . much
greater chance of being struck by lightning
in the open is that he is approximately feet
tall.
If he then>happens to be the tallest thing
around, that very fact makes him focal point
for q bolt.
1t was in this way that Luther was struck,
while going through field and as . result,
In a sudden prayer, dedicated himself to God
The old belief, that fright at storms was
the result of inheritance, because ones parents
were afraid, scarcely can hold good with
animals.
All we can know Of the cause Of their reac-
tions is what We see. Such help rs We can give
them is good both for us and them. II it be nc
more than . simple pat on the head.