ThunderShirt for Dogs - X Small Heather Gray Classic Dog Anxiety Relief Calming Vest | Reduce Stress During Storms, Fireworks & Travel | Soothing Pressure Wrap for Anxious Pets

My 13 year old dog was never afraid of thunderstorms until we moved into our new house and the neighbors surrounding us like to frequently shoot off fireworks. Not just during the 4th of July. ALL year. My dog had never encountered fireworks before and thought we were under attack. And then with the loud noise and the flash of the fireworks, she learned to associate thunderstorms - with those loud noises and flashes of lightning -- with absolute terror. Thanks, Neighbors!!!To give you an idea of how my dog reacts to storms, here's what happens in our household during every single thunderstorm (and fireworks): When she hears the first bang or rumble, my dog immediately wants to sit in my lap (no matter what I'm trying to do) and she pushes herself right up against me so tightly that it's uncomfortable to breathe - for both of us. It's like she's trying to push herself under your skin for protection. She shakes so badly that her teeth chatter loudly. She pants loudly, her breathing becomes very rapid and she is very restless - sometimes running into the bathroom (the only room in the house without windows) and hides between the tub and the toilet - only to run back out after a minute to find me to push up against again. My dog becomes so filled with terror that I'm afraid she will have a heart attack. She is 13 years old and that's always at the back of my mind. I feel so bad for her. If the thunderstorm hits while we're sleeping at night, then I have to get up and try to sleep on the couch (so the dog doesn't wake my husband when she's shaking the bed & panting so loudly). No one sleeps in our house during the entire storm's duration.I had to find some other way to try and help her. I came across this product while searching for some type of solution. The skeptic in me said "There might be a very slim chance this will help my dog's storm anxiety" and I'm probably wasting money buying this but there were so many positive reviews. So, I bit the bullet and bought the shirt. I didn't even tell my husband that I had spent the money on this because I'm sure he would have thought it was a waste of money as well. It's just some fabric, right? I was desperate to help her.The day after it arrived in the mail, we got a daytime storm. I thought, well here goes, let's give it a try. My dog is not the type of dog who likes having any type of clothes on -- she immediately would rip off any kind of sweater or jacket that I had tried putting on her in the past. She didn't fight me putting it on her - it went on very easily. I made it a snug fit by adjusting the velcro around her belly. Then I went and sat down in my recliner - where she would normally jump up on and get into my lap and start the whole pushing into me thing. She stayed down on the floor. That intrigued me. Her breathing wasn't rapid. Hmmmm....interesting. She stayed a few feet away from my recliner but continued to stay on the floor, standing. Within a few minutes, she sat down, looked at me a few times like she was a little confused. Like, hey it's storming but I'm OK. I just smiled at her. Then she LAID DOWN. And stayed there! Even through the thunder claps, she stayed there on the floor lying down. Meanwhile, my husband had come into the room and noticed that I had bought some sort of shirt for her and she was wearing it. I said in a low voice, look who's not freaking out over the storm and nodded at my dog. He looked confused - just like the dog! Then he smiled and said "Huh?!! That thing must work." We just couldn't believe it. It was like she was an entirely different dog and that made me smile. She was at peace and felt comforted. I want to hug whoever invented this product. Absolutely life-changing.This Thundershirt was worth way more than I paid for it - it truly is absolutely priceless. It has brought my dog peace of mind and peace to our entire household during Thunderstorms - or fireworks. I no longer have to sleep on the couch - I can stay in bed! And everyone, including my dog is now relaxed during storms and getting rest. If there's a thunderstorm in the weather forecast during the night, before I go to bed, I just put the Thundershirt on my dog before she goes to sleep. The Thundershirt really is like a big hug to her, making her feel protected. Thank you so much, Thundershirt!! You made a little 13 year old dog (and her parents) very happy and have brought a better quality of life to her and our household.