I’m not writing to grouse about all the illegal fireworks in my neighborhood and how much I hate them and how they freak out my dog. Not yet anyway.
Today it’s just a simple reminder: there’s still time to get a sedative for your dog(s) to help them get through the Fourth. That’s assuming that (a) fireworks scare your dog and (b) vets in your part of the world prescribe such things. Mine prescribes trazodone for Charlie. I called in the request this morning (a refill of last year’s Rx) and will pick it up tomorrow. The trick, then, will be to remember to give it to Charlie two hours before the fireworks begin. (I forgot one year until the fireworks started and those two hours seemed like forever.)
Charlie is more chill about fireworks than his predecessor Annie was. But he still gets pretty anxious. After a particularly loud bang two nights ago, in desperation, I went back to the bedroom and turned on my sound machine. The usual thunderstorm, but louder than usual. Charlie curled up in his crate by the bed and stayed there the rest of the evening. I think/hope he found the earlier-than-usual nightly routine comforting. But when it starts sounding like WWIII out there, he’ll need more than a sound machine.
That’s it. Just a suggestion/reminder. Stay safe, everyone, and remember that your pets might not enjoy the fireworks as much as you do.
(It’s now 9:30 pm. There were several distant bangs about half an hour ago and Charlie is back in the bedroom again with the sound machine roaring. I should have refilled his prescription a week ago.)
I dunno why people are so damned stupid about having their own fireworks, when firework season brings ‘official’ exhibitions. I think there must be some atavistic attraction in the possibility of blowing off your own hand (or someone else’s) – maybe from when we lived in caves and had to try everything to ward off animules …
Back in the Dark Ages when I was a kid we had some simple fireworks at home. Fountains, snakes, small firecrackers. Hardly enough to bother the folks next door and certainly no one several blocks away. Fireworks weren’t illegal in Oklahoma City back then. And frankly I don’t recall if there were any big public shows to go to.
You’re right: my reference to the big shows is, like, currently. 🙂
I feel for all of the animals at this time of year
Not to mention PTSD victims, the elderly, the hospitalized, etc. But at least humans can understand what’s going on and can to some degree help themselves. The poor animals are terrorized by the sporadic loud noises in areas they thought were safe, and no one can explain to them what’s happening.
I’m totally sympathetic, it is what it is, a vestige of the warlike nature of man, and in our case especially, the Revolutionary War. Our little dog was always terrified by the fireworks, but he’s gone now. RIP, Winston.
Charlie is not reduced to the quivering, cowering ball of fur that Annie was. But it’s still sad to see an active, alert, 63-lb self-appointed watchdog suddenly standing uncertainly, head down, tail tucked, almost afraid to move. I get that big public displays don’t scratch the same itch as lighting your own fuses to your own fireworks. But those fireworks are illegal, a noise violation, and a fire hazard. Oh, and extremely inconsiderate.
By the way, anybody think all those truly amazing drone shows are going to replace fireworks shows? I certainly hope not. Fireworks exploding overhead are a spectacular, visceral experience representing the fireworks over Fort McHenry that inspired our national anthem. Yes, I complain every year about fireworks in the neighborhood, but I would never want the big public shows to go away.
Hank’s with you, Charlie. Cozy early bedtime and it’s all good indoors
Really the firewoorks were so much more exciting when they were scarce and rare
We always had a few sparklers, snakes, and Roman candles (1 each) which we were allowed to set off in the middle of the dirt road at the farm (Dad had a couple of buckets of water right there just in case – usually dry brush…and we had to all watch for “landings”)
The commercial fireworks were such a thrill as it was so rare.
Easy access seems to take the magic away.
For some stupid reason, this little city and many on the area have redone ordinances allowing fireworks at certain times of the year ( “not near schools, churches….etc”) Stupid.
Oh, OK being accepting of diversity, fireworks ok now for Diwali.
Someone tell the dogs, please.
Fireworks were banned in OKC after a single little pop bottle rocket ignited a roof fire that spread to several (5?) other homes. Of course, back then those roofs were wooden shake shingles. Those were also subsequently banned.
Here in CO we specialize in massive wildfires instead. Except now, after the LA fires, we look pretty amateurish. It will only take a couple of generations to regrow all those trees.