Doodle, Thunder Storm and Pecan Tree

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Last night a long line of thunder storms set off by an approaching cold front passed over us. As they were approaching Haley started getting upset so I got the Canine Calm and applied it to his beard, ears and chest. This works good until the thunder is real close and he will just lay down beside me. The thunder got real close and Haley tried to climb in my lap (all 60+ pounds of him). He wouldn't stay still so I asked DH if he would sit on the floor with Haley. That didn't work. I got a cushion and sat on the floor and let Haley sort of lay across me. He just needed his "mommy". He calmed right down and would only lift his head when it thundered. Then we had a very loud clap of thunder. It sounded like it was right there with us. The light bulb in the ceiling lamp above us went out. DH went outside to make sure it hadn't hit the house (we do have lightening rods on all four chimneys and across the roof.) He came back to report that the 200+ year old pecan tree in the back yard thirty feet from the house had taken the hit! After the storms passed DH took Haley out to do his business which took them to the opposite side of the tree from the house. He found the tree on fire from the lightening strike; got the garden hose and poured water on the fire. He had to do this a couple of time. Between hosing the tree down and the rain that came back the fire was extinguished. (The fire was in a dead part of the tree.) We are now waiting to see what happens to the tree.

The wavy line in the grass coming out from the tree is where the lightening followed the root and came out of the ground. There is a hole at the end of the line.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

How scary that must have been.  Your house, yard and tree are lovely.  I hope your tree survives.

[Bonnie and Kona]

OMD! This is an amazing story. Thank you so much for writing it and for the photos. Sweet Mr Haley knows you keep him safe. Such a tender boy. Your pecan tree is magnificent. I am so glad it survived this assault beautifully.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

So glad you were able to give Haley the comfort he needed.  If I'd been there, you would have had two of us in your lap!  Hope the tree survives - it's beautiful!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Wow, that sounds like quite a storm! Poor Haley! I'm glad everyone is okay and the damage wasn't worse, hope the tree survives.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

How scary that was. I always hate those storms that sound like you are in the middle of a bombing. I hope that beautiful tree survives.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Wow a scary night for everyone.  Thank goodness it wasn't worst....glad everyone is okay.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I hope your beautiful tree survives.  I don't blame Haley for being scared. I hate those kinds of storms when you think a tree might land on your house.

[Carol and Banjo]

Awwww poor Haley.   What a magnificent tree you have in your yard!   I do hope it survives the lightening strike.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

What a scary episode. I'm glad you were able to comfort Haley. I'm lucky my doodles don't really care about thunder. I hope the tree is ok, it's so lovely.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

WOW.  That is really scary.  I had friends once that were camping in the mountains and got 3rd degree burns from the lightning traveling down the roots of the tree.  They were sleeping on the ground under the tree.