I am having a dilemma about this subject right now.

Samson is about 12 years old. He's never had a problem with storms until this year. But he is getting senile; forgets where he is, gets up in the middle of the night to dig in a bedroom corner, doesn't remember the usual household routine, etc.

When he hears thunder, he panics. He has broken the gate from the hallway and destroyed the woodwork trying (and succeeding) to get out, squeezed behind the sofa and tore the plugs out of the wall, and peed on the floor when he can't get outside. He has a kennel that he loves, but he doesn't remember to go in it to feel safe. He's fine as long as someone is in the room with him.

We have been having afternoon thunderstorms this week so I've been bringing him to work after lunch. But this is not a long term solution. I can't put him in his kennel when I go to work in the morning, nor can I justify medicating him "in case" it thunders. Desensitizing is not likely to work if he can't remember.

I'll be talking to my vet to see if she can suggest anything.

I need a babysitter!