Fireworks may be fun for some humans (not me), but they are surely not fun for the animals. In the United States, 4 July is when we celebrate our Independence as a country. That is done with great fanfare and noise. My Grandmother was born on the 4th of July, so I used to think that when my mother’s brothers and sisters (all 9 of them) got together with all us kids (I have around 78 cousins) and shot off fireworks, it was for Gram’s birthday. I always hated the loud noise. Even today I have trouble with loud bursts (like balloons) or thunder. It is not fear as much as some kind of ‘pain.’ I can’t really explain it but it feels like deep emotional or psychic pain to me. I figure that is how the animals feel when they experience these loud, unexplainable sounds. Ground fireworks are legal to purchase in Maryland, though people have sky ones too. They started shooting them off about 2 weeks ago and won’t stop for another several weeks. Squash E Bear would not leave the house for the whole month of July. I used to have to push this big dog out the door to just go pee. Sofie barks at the pops right now and Lulu and her come running if they are out and the ‘boom-booms’ start. I hate this. Please keep your animals safe and remember that turning on a radio or television in the room with your pet may help drowned out the noise. For me, I like to watch them on TV where they look pretty but I can turn the sound down.
Here is a little article on helping your fearful dog: http://thebark.com/content/reducing-fear-your-dog#.T_JOd3hgggh
And I just wanted to say thank you to all the people and animals that serve my country and continue to keep my world safe as possible. You are appreciated and always remembered.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
DogDaz Zoo 
Basil
July 4, 2012 at 07:02
Stay safe, hopefully it will all be over with soon!
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dogdaz
July 4, 2012 at 07:15
Around here it seems to go on forever. The animals and I are going to turn the TV up real loud. Enjoy the day!
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Genevieve Petrillo
July 4, 2012 at 09:11
Mom is more afraid of fireworks than I am. I’m cool with them. Broken pieces of tree bark, on the other hand, terrify me. Go figure…
Have a great 4th.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
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Bassas Blog
July 4, 2012 at 13:04
Very lovely post. Hope the fireworks don’t spoil your day. Happy 4th July x
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dogdaz
July 4, 2012 at 18:43
Thanks – I like to watch them – just quietly.
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Misty Shores Chesapeakes
July 4, 2012 at 16:50
I do like to watch a good fire work display but yes the loud noise can be overwhelming at times.
Have you tried Benadryl for the dogs to help ease the stress? I had to use it last night for mine especially Cheyenne, typically it doesn’t bother her to much but my neighbor let one off that shook our house.
Happy 4th of July!!
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dogdaz
July 4, 2012 at 18:44
Good idea with the Benadryl. I think the dogs will be fine as long as I stay on the floor with them.
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monicastangledweb
July 4, 2012 at 23:36
Great reminder. Luckily, around here, we don’t hear too much, so Henry’s okay. Not freaked out, knock on wood.
Hope your Fourth was great! Not too hot. Here, today’s been in the 60’s. A little too cool for the Fourth of July, if you ask me.
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dogdaz
July 5, 2012 at 07:04
Wow – I would love the 60’s. It was 107 and thank goodness for fresh water and a/c! Hope Henry and you had fun
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Jessica
July 5, 2012 at 12:32
This is a really great post! I was just thinking last night as neighbors were shooting off fireworks that I no longer see what makes fireworks so exciting…it’s just a bunch of noise and very dangerous! Maybe I’m just getting old… 🙂 Taylor and mommy did just what you recommended: watched TV, mainly to drown out the noise from outside so Taylor would not get too anxious. She was a trooper!
Thank you for sharing your memories about your grandma’s birthday! Now, THAT’S a reason to have fireworks! 🙂
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dogdaz
July 5, 2012 at 15:43
Thanks Jessica and Taylor – sounds like you had a fun night – quiet and calm.
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2browndawgs
July 11, 2012 at 08:04
I hate this time of year for the loud bangs too. I find them annoying and so do the dogs. We went to our cabin where usually there are no loud bangs. Not this year even though it is dry as tinder up there.
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