July 4, 2009…
I love the fireworks and the festivals connected to the Fourth of July.People huddled under blankets at the Analy Football Field watching the fireworks shoot off on Friday, July 3rd.
This year, for me, the Fourth of July is something to get through in one piece and everyone accounted for. I am watching over a crew of animals consisting of dogs, cats and fostered animals. Loud noises in the middle of their slumber are anything but a party.
I turn on the radio, I-pod deck and television –a documentary on the death of Michael Jackson– all in an attempt to drown out the coming noise. All of the windows and doors are closed.
Boom! Boom-boom-whistling—boom.
“Woof” comes the first note of alert from the golden lab mix. She was soon joined by a chorus of woofs and yips, different pitches, all signs of concern and worry. They dive for the exits but are thwarted. The neighbor dogs start what I call “Rover-alerts,” one dog telling another that something is going on.
Here we go….we can do this. I distract the dogs by having them do their repertoire of tricks. For the foster puppies I hope the booms are muffled enough to allow their little ears to get used to them but not scare them. I stay calm so that my charges will stay calm. Just when they pitch up with worry, the show is over.
The next day, I find a chocolate poodle in my yard, dragging a leash with identifying tags. A short drive and she is reunited with a family who had been looking for her. Animal control officers say this is one of the busiest weekends for picking up strays frightened from yards by the booms. They suggest keeping your animals indoors so that people can enjoy the party and the pets can too.
