4th of July and animals

**momishem** · 07-04-2008, 11:04 PM

As I sit here with my 127 lb. black lab mix dog trying to get under the computer desk, I am wondering to myself: Is anybody else ready for the fireworks to be over? Poor Ruby. She is shaking and crying. Of course, our stupid neighbors are shooting off tons of fireworks behind us and beside us and across the street from us...etc! Maybe next year I will get her some doggy Prozac! On the plus side, the hamster doesn't seem to be bothered. Lucky Penny!

**Nishu** · 07-04-2008, 11:12 PM

It doesn't seem to bother my wheaten, but my lab mix runs and finds me everytime a loud one goes off. He's not terribly afraid though. The noise is more irritating to me.

**Drgnfly423** · 07-04-2008, 11:31 PM

I called my vet this year and got some meds

for my corgi/lab mix, Louie. The neighbors started lighted them off last week here and he was freaking out! (this is our first 4th with Louie). So he's happily medicated right now awaiting the fireworks. I just couldn't bear to see him so worked up.

**FrugalWitch** · 07-04-2008, 11:59 PM

Our cats laid their ears back the first couple of bangs, but that's all. They are so spoiled and jaded. As long as they can see one of us, they aren't afraid of much. Let them wake up in a room alone however....lol.

**Michelle** · 07-05-2008, 07:21 AM

My cat is afraid of just about everything and hid under the couch for the town (next to us) fireworks and when our neighbors were setting them off (illegally, I might add) at 10:30 last night.

**larabelle** · 07-05-2008, 07:31 AM

No drugs for us. The dog who owns me, had two short episodes of barking due to fire works last night. I just pulled him into the bed with me.

**baxjul** · 07-05-2008, 07:46 AM

My dog just kept watching out the windows, so did my cats.

**Sundae** · 07-05-2008, 08:23 AM

We have cattle for the kids to show in 4H and they just stood in their pen watching, no jumping around or going crazy, ducks & geese didn't mind either. We have no dog or inside pets.

**prftstrngr** · 07-05-2008, 08:37 AM

My Golden retriever hates fireworks!!! He is 85 pounds and tried to get in my lap...crying and panting. Its sad...

**ilovechocolate** · 07-05-2008, 09:00 AM

My 75 pound Lab Max is petrified of thunder, lightning, fireworks, gunshots (we have some neighbors way behind us who target shoot), anything loud--you name it and he's scared. He has heaved himself onto the bed with me, crawled into my lap, huddled under tables and desks on top of my feet, and generally just about squished me to death whenever he hears those kinds of noises.

Our other dog, Oreo, is cool with it all, as are our cats. The cats seem more annoyed than anything.

**Momto2Boyz** · 07-05-2008, 10:35 AM

My 100 pound American Bulldog, cowered under the computer desk all night long. I thought someone had spilled a glass of water on the floor...nope, just a gallon of doggy drool!

I think next year we need to build him a sound proof padded room!

On the other hand, our 20 pound Puggle didn't seem to care one bit!

**Amanda W** · 07-05-2008, 10:39 AM

I was so proud of our guy last night! Cash is an 18-month-old Golden Retriever (who's scared of his own shadow), and he did so well! He certainly didn't like them, but he didn't cry or go hide.

**shoiji** · 07-05-2008, 12:25 PM

One kitty could care less and the other was not to happy about it. There was a ID%*T neighbor setting them off in the parking lot (I live in a complex) standing about 4 feet away from them. Sparks flying everywhere. Then someone in another area decided to set them off till around 11:00 pm. Mind you they are illegal here. I am waiting for the neighbor to either set a car on fire or one of the complex buildings. I really don't understand why someone wants to set of fireworks in a small confined space.

**tervsforme** · 07-05-2008, 12:34 PM

My dogs do not like the fireworks at all. They don't like thunder and lightening either. I have recently started giving them meletonin. It's a natural substance that your body produces to help you sleep. My girlfriend uses it for her dogs as well. When I know there is going to be a thunderstorm, or fireworks, etc. I give them each one. It works fantastic on my male dogs, my female it works ok, calms her down some. I know some vets that say to give your dog a benadryl, it also helps them sleep through it. Be sure to check with your vet to see if either of these would work for your dogs.

**Persimmon Lace** · 07-05-2008, 12:38 PM

Dh took our 2 out for an hour walk and they were fine. Bob was wondering what Bella was barking at a couple of times, like "what the heck?". But they both did well. We do NOT acknowledge the behaviour at all as that just increases it. Our big dogs never were bothered by the noise, both of them were herding/guarding dogs so maybe it was genetic for them. Bob is cowdog and he's a pretty steady fella.

We read Cesar Millan's email about the 4th and just followed his recommendation about the long walk.