Dear Abby - Keeping Pets Safe and Happy on the 4th of July

Dear Friends,

It is almost the 4th of July!   I like to be a positive pup, but I will admit it:  this is my least favorite holiday.  Before I found my way to rescue, I was a stray in a busy parking lot, living outdoors.  A wonderful rescue group found me, and then Momma found the great rescue group ... so I have a happy and loving home.  Unfortunately, I carry one thing with me from my days as a stray, and that is a real fear of loud noises.  The 4th of July is all about loud noises.

I live in a busy, urban area and we are near a big fireworks display.  I actually hear the 4th of July fireworks over my home.  On top of that, neighborhood fireworks are legal here, so there are sure to be fireworks out this year not just on the 4th, but on the weekend nights as well.

Do you have a pup who is scared of fireworks?  I have a few tips that may help.

I wear a Thundershirt.  I love my Thundershirt!  I go to the closet where it waits when noise starts to happen.  I wear it when it thunders and when there are fireworks.  It hugs my little body tightly and makes me feel comforted.  Here are a couple of Thundershirt posts I've written for this blog:  2015 and 2014. 

Momma knows that summer holiday evenings are hard for me because of the noise, so she plans her day in order to be home with me at night and comfort me.  That helps me so much!

Of course, I walk before dark on firework nights, so I can be safely home inside.

I like to have lights on and happy music playing during fireworks.  Momma will often put nice music, like oldies or jazz or classical, on the radio station in the bedroom, and in the study, and in the living room as well.  The music fills the house that way.

Please remember that many dogs are spooked by fireworks and sudden loud noises.  If your dog needs to go out after dark on the summer holiday evenings to potty, it is safest to take him or her on a leash (of course, wearing ID tags!) and keep walks short.

Also a reminder about cookouts - grills and open flames can be both tempting and dangerous for pets (and both cats and dogs may be tempted by goodies on a grill!).

Do you have any other 4th of July safety tips for pets?   I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.

Have a great weekend!

Love,

Abby xoxoxo

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!  Wishing you a great day and a fun weekend.  

(Vintage illustration by Charles Twelvetrees)

Happy 4th of July: In Praise of Thundershirts

Happy 4th of July!   I hope you have a fun day (and a great long holiday weekend).  

I'm looking forward to a fun, relaxing weekend.  I'll plan to be home in the evenings because of fireworks.  Fireworks are legal in Atlanta, and you can see stands in shopping center parking lots;  the local grocery store even sells fireworks.  

My youngest dog, Abby (a 4 year old Dachshund/Jack Russell mix) is terrified of fireworks, thunder, and loud noises in general.  I always plan to be home on fireworks holidays so I can put Abby in her Thundershirt and comfort her.  The Thundershirt is a wonderful invention;  it really helps Abby with loud noises.   It is made of stretchy fabric, and wrapped snugly with velcro.  Effectively, it snuggles against a dog who wears it because he or she is afraid of noise.

Whatever you have planned, I hope you have lots of fun!  What are you up to this long weekend?   If you have dogs or cats, how do they do with the noise of summer holidays (fireworks)?  I'd love to hear from you in the comments, below.