Posted on 07/02/2008 12:58:40 PM PDT by BenLurkin
With the Fourth of July and its accompanying fireworks nearly upon us, it's time to think about safeguarding your pets from the booms, shrieks, bangs, pops and whistles of fireworks.
"The days following the Fourth of July tend to be the busiest for our shelters," said Michelle Roaché, deputy director of Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control.
"Falling on a Friday, it can be even worse because weekends are already extremely busy."
The number of stray and injured animals at the county's shelters jumps dramatically around the holiday. The Fourth is a terrifying time for many animals. Animals, dogs especially, don't like fireworks.
"Dogs who are afraid of fireworks tend to panic and run," Roaché said. "Given the same situation, cats tend to hide out until it's all over.
"Many times, dogs run out into the street and get hit by cars. Others are injured trying to escape a yard or house. Frightened dogs have been known to crash through windows, bust through fences or doors."
Animals should be controlled in a secure confinement, Roaché said.
"Keep them in the house. Distract them with sounds from the television or radio," Roaché said. "If you know your dog or cat gets anxious, it's best to stay home and supervise. But that's not always what happens. You might not know a pet's personality when it comes to loud noises.
"Save the use of a (boarding) kennel as an option. You can see the animal's veterinarian about prescribing a sedative for it. But you have to think ahead and arrange for a visit to the vet before the holiday, not wait until the last minute."
(Excerpt) Read more at avpress.com ...
So long as the animal isn’t cow. I get VERY hungry on the Fourth.
Our dogs hate fireworks. We have a walk in shower in one of the bathrooms at the rear of the house. The kids are letting off fireworks out front, and the dogs are all in the walk in shower at the back of the house, LOL. They get as far away from the sound as they can, and I guess that makes them feel safe. (We also turn up the TV in that bedroom, so it helps muffle the sound of the fireworks.)
It’s funny, my dog didn’t a problem with fireworks for most of her life. She’d even happily watch our little show from the driveway. Then one year we started doing fireworks out in the backyard, which is her fenced-in territory, and she instantly developed a morbid fear of the sound for life.
John Adams wrote, in a letter to his wife, Abigail, on July 3, 1776, as the Declaration of Independence had just been approved:
“It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Day’s Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
I think I’ll go with Adams on this one. I’ll not fret over the plight of dogs during the loud noises.
H
It’s not worrying about the plight, it’s making sure yours doesn’t run away and become a statistic.
Talk about the tail wagging the dog. :-)
My dog thinks gunfire is a sign that he gets to work.. i.e., that he gets to bite somebody. If the fireworks are close enough, the people will leave.. haha
Several times I've seen people bring hunting dogs to our gun club to get them used to the sound of gunfire.
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