Prepare yourself + your pets for the Fourth of July

July 1, 2014

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I’m doing my July 4 post early because you KNOW everyone will be blogging about it on “the day”.  I thought you might enjoy some older July 4 posts and I wanted them to go up in time to be helpful. Especially the pet tips.

How to prepare your pets for the fourth of July was my subject last year.  If you’ve got a dog or cat, you want to read this one. Ignore the contest, though. That was last year.

Here’s a discussion of what patriotism REALLY means that might raise some hackles. Using dog metaphors today.

Yes, there can be too many flags.

So, hey–I’m glad to be American. I vote. I’m patriotic.

And yeah. I’m a progressive.

 

27 comments on “Prepare yourself + your pets for the Fourth of July
  1. kim tackett says:

    As a fellow progressive, I do kind of love July 4th, but for me it seems to be more about summer. I do hang a flag, but I don’t think I’ve ever made a flag-themed dessert. However, when my girls were 8 and 2, they did win first place in our town’s kiddie parade. I believe their “float” was a wagon, with Kate’s American Girl doll as the Statue of Liberty. Lots of aluminum foil was used.

  2. Karen says:

    We’re celebrating our nation’s birthday today, Carol–and the one time I ever saw my dog freak out and bolt was during Canada Day fireworks. So yes, give the pups a break and leave them home. As for patriotism, I think it’s not just possible, but desirable, to be proud of one’s own country and still love and appreciate others.

  3. Although the 4th of July is about so many things, for me it’s all about spending time with the family.

  4. Dogs in India have the same problem around the festival of Diwali, Carol. The noise levels are ridiculous! Celebrations are great as long as they’re not making someone else uncomfortable!

  5. Kathy says:

    Thanks for the tips concerning dogs. My pits are little babies when it comes to the fourth so we keep them inside all day on the fourth. In our neighborhood, the fireworks seem to go on all week so I make sure to bring them in before dusk.

  6. My kids hate fireworks so we always keep them inside.I love the colours and all the partying for the celebrations though.

  7. Leo says:

    Like Corinne said, here in India, pets have most problems during Diwali time. Tough on them.

  8. Carol Graham says:

    We had a terrible experience when some kid threw a firework right at our Chihuahua. Unfortunately, it was in front of our house and she was just going pee. So, I can truly appreciate leaving your pets HOME

  9. Great tips for you pets Carol. Happy 4th!!!

  10. Hadn’t thought about the fact that there will be fireworks, and Tucker (our Corgi) will be scared to death, thanks for the reminder. I’ll be sure to keep him in, and close to me as he likes to sit under my feet during both thunderstorms and fireworks.

    And as a fellow progressive, I too celebrate the day, but I mostly just celebrate it ’cause of the fact that we get the day off, and the delicious Strawberry shortcake I make. Happy 4th to you!

  11. Lana says:

    Great posts – I enjoyed reading them. Poor doggies – it’s like a war zone around my house on the 4th (we live 5 miles from the Tulalip Indian reservation that sells pretty much anything you could want…or not). Luckily our lab isn’t too fazed by them, but I feel so bad for all the pets around this time of year.

  12. My Newfoundland used to spend the 4th of July under the kitchen table like a big baby. When my kids were little, they used to sit there with her. It’s a scary day for a lot of dogs. And, yes, I totally agree about too many flags. Every year, a local realtor puts a flag on every single person’s lawn in our neighborhood and I have to say it kind of pisses me off. Being proud of one’s country is one thing. Being obsessed with it too often becomes “us” vs “them,” and that’s where the problems start.

  13. Thanks for the reminders about pets and the 4th of July. People tend to forget how sensitive their ears are.

  14. usha menon says:

    Nice post! The crackers, not only frighten our pets but also small babies,. It is very difficult to quieten them.

  15. Tina says:

    happy independence day to you Carol in advance. Here in India you find the pet dogs going crazy during the Diwali time – where almost every house hold is bursting fire cracker… and the strays have a harder time!

    Tina from The Sunny Side of Life

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