Pets and 4th of July

In America, the 4^th of July is a celebration of our declaration of independence, our coming out as our own nation. Naturally, over the centuries all those victories and decisions by our country’s forefathers have become a reason to barbecue anything that once moved and fed on grains and grass.

All ready for mom, apple pie and tuna. Wait that's baseball

 

It is also a day to consume mass quantities of alcohol, which explains it being Time magazine’s seventh biggest drunken holiday--St. Patrick’s Day is number 1 and the Super Bowl is 10.   

Right about the time the meat and alcohol collide, everyone thinks that they are a professional pyro-technician and set out to fill the skies, the streets, the neighbor’s tree with smoke, colors, pops, booms and bangs to the delight of the onlookers.

It all sounds like a good time, but it is not delightful for all. There are furry family members who don’t understand the celebration nor give a hoot about the 13 colonies and the former allegiance to the British Crown. In fact the only thing they know is fear, confusion and a desire to flee the sights and sounds.

This 4^th of July make sure your pets are in a safe, comfortable place. Here are some tips:

•             Make sure your dog is wearing a current license tag and both cat and dog have updated microchip information. A license tag is your dog’s ticket home. Animal Services can quickly reunite lost animals with their families if the animals are wearing a license and microchipped and owner information is up to date. 
More pets get lost on the 4^th of than any other day of the year.

•             Keep them inside. Bring indoor/outdoor cats and dogs inside. Set up a nice quiet spot in a windowless room, if possible, or keep them in a carrier or kennel. Even if you think your yard is secure, a frightened dog will find a way to escape and a tied up dog may strangle itself trying to get away. 


•             Leave the TV or radio on to distract them; soothing noise may help keep pets calm. 
Whiskey and Boris are really into Justin Timberlake these days.

•             Do not bring your pet to a fireworks display. For their safety and the safety of others, 
please leave your pet(s) at home. 
I live near a huge beach celebration and the number of people who bring their dogs is shocking. It is too loud and fireworks are flying all over the place.

Whiskey during a field sobriety test

•             Alcohol and Pets Don’t Mix. Do not give your pets access to alcohol. It has the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.

•             Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestion, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.

•             If your dog or cat is especially noise sensitive, consider having someone stay home 
with them, taking them to a boarding facility, or discuss sedatives with your veterinarian. 


I give my cats calming treats, which can be found at most pet stores. They work really well and the boys spend most of the night relaxing in a dark room with the door closed in case someone leaves the front door open. I also check on them throughout the festivities to let them know that they are not forgotten.

Boris has always been a showboat

Have a banging 4^th of July and keep your pets safe. Leftover beer is welcome, let me clarify, unopened leftover beer is welcomed.

If you are looking for a little fun check out this 10 second, I said little, video at http://bit.ly/299oce3

Every Color Deserves a Forever Home

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