Terrifying sounds from above

With summer and the warmer weather, pet owners have to careful to make sure their charges have plenty of fresh water and somewhere to get out of the sun.

But also, this time of year brings the dreaded fireworks — something that can lead to stray and lost pets.

Read this article from the Orange County Register written by Samantha Gowen.

This weekend KatyDog will spend hours inside her favorite soundproof bunker: the bedroom closet.

July Fourth and all of its hissing, popping, thundering fireworks is enough to send the family dog and cat running from the sheer terror of it all.

The summer holiday is one of the most dangerous for unsecured pets. Animal control reports more stray and lost pets on July Fourth than any other single day of the year.

Gowan gives recommendations provided by the Animal Assistance League:

• Keep the pet inside
• Use a radio or television to drown out the booming sounds
• For unusually nervous pets, consult a veterinarian about tranquilizers
• Make certain ID tags and licenses are current

Kate, at her advanced age, doesn't seem to be bothered by fireworks or thunder as much as when she was younger. It's probably due to a loss of hearing.

The first summer I had her, when we were living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, I made the mistake of taking her out for a walk at the time the New York Philharmonic was playing the "1812 Overture" in Central Park, two blocks from where we were.

When the accompanying fireworks were set off, Kate just about crawled over a car to get away from them, then under a car.

Thankfully, we weren't too far from the apartment buildings front door, and I managed to drag her safely inside.

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Happy Fourth of July, everyone! Stay safe.

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Happy Fourth of July everyone!

Final 4th tips for pets

This picture show the way Kate will not be Friday night if there are fireworks within her hearing distance.

As a final reminder that fireworks and pets do not mix, here are some tips on Fourth of July safety for your companion animals.

From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

From the Los Angeles Daily News.

To sum up, don't take your pet with you to a fireworks display. Make sure pets are securely inside during fireworks, perhaps in a safe room with a radio or television playing to mask any outside sounds.

Just in case they do escape, make sure they have proper identification on them and you have a recent picture.

And if they have an accident because of the noise and bright lights, give them a break and don't scold them. They were scared.

Happy Fourth of July!

Boom — Aww — Bang — Oooh

A news update on poughkeepsiejournal.com made me sit up and take notice. And that's always a problem.

Fireworks tonight will highlight the Exempt Firemen's Association Carnival in the City of Poughkeepsie.

While I am sure it will be a festive occasion — shout out to Wassaic (N.Y.) Fire Chief Robert Boyles — I am dreading it simply because it will drive Kate crazy.

On Friday night, just after the sun set, some firework booming began. I don't know where it was coming from, but I could hear dogs barking as the sounds resonated throughtout the area.

The beautiful spectacle of fireworks displays can be terrifying to animals. I made the mistake the first summer I had Kate of taking her out for her final walk of the day at the exact moment the New York Philharmonic concert in Central Park chose to start its fireworks.

We lived one block from the park, so it was like we were standing underneath them.

Kate tried to crawl under a car and then over a car. It was all I could do to get her back to our apartment.

Here's a press release from the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League dealing with the subject. They didn't provide a link so here's the entire press release, copied and pasted, for your edification.

"Leave Your Pets at Home and Safe on the Fourth of July"

Sherrill, Oneida County — While Fourth of July fireworks can be an exciting experience for a patriotic person, it can be a stressful and chaotic event for your pets. The noise and commotion can be extremely frightening.

The Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (MAGDRL) would like to remind everyone to keep their pets safe during the Fourth of July holiday festivities. The loud noises and flashing lights caused by fireworks can spook household pets and cause wildlife to flee their natural habitat, possibly leaving their young behind. Some pets have been known to become so frightened during a fireworks show that they have jumped through glass windows to escape.

Here are a few tips to help keep all animals safe this Fourth of July:

* Leave your pets at home. Most pets don't enjoy the noise and flash caused by fireworks and even the most trustworthy pet could become scared and run away.

* Don't leave your pets in the car during a fireworks display, as the temperatures inside the car may rise dramatically before sundown.

* Don't leave your outdoor pets unattended, even in a fenced yard. The chaos may cause them to panic and hurt themselves trying to escape.

* Be sure your pets are wearing proper identification in case they DO become lost during an event. ID tags will help your pet find its way home. Microchips are the most reliable form of ID. Contact your veterinarian about getting one for your pet, or MAGDRL for more information.

* If you know your pet usually becomes scared by loud noises, such as thunderstorms, be sure to keep them in a safe room with lots of treats and favorite toys to help them alleviate any anxiety caused by exploding fireworks. You may also like to speak with your vet to find some herbal remedies that will safely keep your pet calm during stressful times.

* If you have horses or other animals usually kept in stalls, be sure they are kept calm during the events so they don't injure themselves.

* Remember not to set off any of your own fireworks near areas with wildlife. The explosions and flashing lights will disturb wildlife causing them to abandon their natural nesting areas. Plus, stray sparks coming from the careless use of fireworks can cause serious damage by starting a forest fire.

For additional information, please contact: The Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League at 1-518-875-9174 or email magdrlny@nycap.rr.com.

Thunderstorms? Don't get me started!

Although, some dogs don't seem to mind, as shown in this video. That is either a very brave dog or a very stupid dog.