Posted on 07/03/2004 9:51:23 AM PDT by HairOfTheDog
ALL IS QUIET this morning, after the first night of heavy fireworks in the area. I expect there will be much more tonight.
It's been years since I enjoyed the 4th of July. For me it means loud disturbance, frightened animals, and that I have to stay home to make sure all the critters get safely through it.
Dog
My poor dog is hung over this morning, still sleepy from her dose of doggie-downers last night. She's the worst about fireworks, of the dogs I've had. She isn't the 'hide in the back room' type dog, she's the 'bark at it' type dog. Allowed loose, she'd take off and go find the source of all this racket.
I knock her out with drugs... She barks at every pop and whistle in the whole county. It's better for both of us that she just take a nap so I can deal with the horses. ;~D
Horses
I put the horses in last night to settle them down. They aren't too bad about occasional popping sounds, but the sum total of it going on and on rattles them. My pony had been trotting in circles 'round the paddock for an hour when I decided they'd be better off in their stalls. I have found that they are much worse loose than confined. Loose to the pasture where they can get up a full head of steam and run, they just seem to feed off the excitement and each other. In the stalls, they just stand and listen.
The best list of tips I found was on a British Website.... mostly good advice, even if the bad fireworks dates are wrong ;~D
Me
I decided to settle myself down by posting a thread. See if there is anyone out there who also finds this holiday to be more stress than fun because of their situation. Or people that want to argue with me about their impact on the whole neighborhood with their personal fireworks. I can't stand 'em.
I have talked to my closest neighbors, who tell me they won't be having fireworks at all this year, they are going somewhere else. Here's to hoping, but they also said that last year, and last year they had half a dozen buddies show up with a case of stuff from the reservation.
The far neighbors who usually shoot rockets into my pasture, I haven't talked to. I know ~why~ they do it. They have trees and I am the only open land to fire towards. I wish they'd come and pick up the bottle rockets when it's over. I get the irritation and the fire risk and the garbage. But at least I can celebrate my wonderful free country!
My Schnauzer is totally oblivious to loud noises, but he can hear a kibble fall into his bowl from about half a mile away.
Are there any dog ping list holders?
Our fireworks started practicing last night too. Used to worry about the fire hazard more before the metal roof was built last year. It really does give peace of mind.
This is current dog, Gidget, on fireworks:
My cat is an old one.... we don't even know how old ;~D he showed up many years ago now, though.
He seems oblivious. I've had other cats that would disappear under the bed.
Gidget on fireworks drugs! :~D
Scott.... I imagine Emma is the 4th of july dream-dog! How's Chance about it?
If all you have to complain about is your neighbors shooting off a few rocket once a year to celebrate our great country, then I'd say you have it pretty good. Your pets will get over it.
About five years ago, a co-worker came back from the 4th of July weekend with the saddest story. She was at her husband's sister's for the weekend. Her in-laws had a German Shepard. On Saturday, he got spooked from the fireworks and ran away. They couldn't find him anywhere. He showed up on Monday night. He had found his way home, but was a mess...covered in swamp gunk, broken bones, etc.
I was so happy that the little guy had made it home.
Yet, the following day in work, she told me that he had to be put down. He was 9 year's old. I couldn't believe it. I always wondered why he had to be put down, but she was evasive and saying it was his age, so I let it go. I sort of think they didn't want to pay for surgery or whatever the dog may have needed. It just never made sense to me.
Moral of the story is that animals and fireworks (like thunder) don't mix.
Not me.
. . . but I will use this opportunity to display a picture of my dog .
Oh I doubt it is ~all~ I have to complain about, I am a FReeper after all ;~D
Yes, life is pretty good. But when one cherishes quiet like I do, even a few days of rockets comin' my way disturbs me. Note what I did about it. I asked them what their plans are so I could be prepared. I don't try to stop them from having a good time. I only grumble that I have to deal with their noise and garbage on my property.
Gilligan is just gorgeous! I wish he could vote.
Could be.... surgeries to repair broken bones run in the thousands if they can't just be splinted. It'd be a tough call for anyone not remotely well off. I love mine... but I don't have money in the bank to both do expensive surgeries on one, and still feed the others. I love people who can and do. At least they granted the dog relief for it's suffering.
At least we won't have to worry about skin cancer.
LOL!
I don't know, but there ought to be, and I should be on it.
LOL
Our neighbors have company this weekend and the drunken jetski riding has already begun. I'm waiting for tonight when they get impatient with their BBQ pit and dump kerosene on it-------FOOM!! They kissed their weeping willow good-bye last 4th.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
