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A Dog's Favorite Holiday (NOT)

7/24/2016

20 Comments

 
Picture
Yup, it was a day for tons of celebrations, and yup, millions across the country answered the call to do so a few
​weekends back. 
 
Indeed, it was a holiday that I loved as a kid. 
 
After all, school was out and the sun stayed up for hours.  Plus, what’s not to like about grilled burgers, baked beans and homemade potato salad; dressing up in red, white and blue, and the most exciting part, getting to set off sparklers in the back yard?
 
These used to be my little girl Fourth of July memories.
 
But now that we have three dogs—Hank, Rusty and Sadie—those kinds of days, but most especially those nights, are gone.
 
In case you didn’t know, that’s because those of us who consider our dogs family have learned that the booms and flashes of fireworks mean The Season of Dread. The same is often true for cat and bird lovers, and it’s not exactly festive for the one in eight human veterans who suffer from PTSD. 
 
As a matter of record, a recent New York Times blog reports that at least 40 percent of dogs experience noise anxiety come July. The article goes on to quote sad stories of dogs who, upon experiencing fireworks, hide in places so tight they get stuck (one friend’s Rhodesian Ridgeback mix cowers behind toilet pipes, then flips out even more upon discovering that she can’t move); gnaw on door handles, and even crash through windows, literally running for miles to escape.
 
The same friend whose big girl cowers in her bathroom also once worked for animal control in another town a few hours
​from mine. 
 
“July Fourth was always bad but the day after was actually the worst,” she says.  “That’s when we got the most reports of dogs so completely freaked out that they were found running on freeways, usually far away from their homes.”  My friend adds that these were the fortunate ones, since many more were found dead by the sides of roads, victims of nocturnal hit and runs.  
 
So far, we’ve done a lot better here at the Grant homestead.  Still, it’s a trying time for humans and critters alike.  
 
It doesn’t help that all of our dogs are rescues, and that two carry significant baggage.
 
My goofball hound Hank is the lucky one, not only because he was fostered as a puppy and put into my arms at six weeks old,  but because he also spent those first months snuggling with his mom and siblings, and along the way, learned crucial doggie social skills.  Rusty is a drop-dead gorgeous Aussie shepherd, but not as blessed.  Born in a puppy mill, his first owners kept him crated nearly all of the time, and there is also evidence of him being hit and kicked. So, even on his best days, Rusty is a hot mess of nerves and anxiety. 
 
But when it comes to the Fourth of July, Sadie suffers most.
 
A majestic Antolian shepherd (think German shepherd with golden retriever ears), animal services rescued her when she was about a year old from a desert field several hours from us. For reasons we’ll never know, she and a few other dogs were abandoned for who-knows-how-long, and left to completely fend for themselves in every way. 
 
At some point, someone loved Sadie because she is protective and affectionate, but she was also 30 pounds underweight when we met.  She’s especially frightened when she hears coyotes baying, often pacing, barking nonstop and frantically running in circles.  Fireworks cause the same reaction, except more pronounced.   
 
And once Sadie becomes hysterical, the other dogs join in. 
 
But since Fourth of July fireworks aren’t going to end anytime soon—even though they’re illegal here with a hefty fine attached—what’s to be done?
 
First, given that the folks who set off these noisemakers are inconsiderate louts to begin with, and sometimes even think our dilemma is funny, we can’t ask them to stop (yes, I’ve tried).  So out of necessity, we’ve found other solutions, a mash-up of old and new, with mixed results.
 
We set the radio dial to classical music in the living room, which helped a bit. We also kept a fan running in our bedroom, creating white noise for the two dogs who sleep there.  And although we haven’t tried this (yet), other pet lovers swear by calming wraps and “thundershirts,” which work the same way that swaddling does for infants (can anyone recommend one?).
 
But ultimately, in order for anyone to get any rest, we resorted to pills.
 
Hank and Rusty got Benedryl, and it did seem to help.  They moved slower; went into a deeper sleep, and were nonresponsive to the smaller booms.  Sadie needed more of a boost, so our veterinarian prescribed Xanex, as well as the more powerful sedative Acepromazine, also called Ace, which was new to us.  We felt it necessary to use one night, but found the results negligible.  (First given to people in the 1950s as an antipsychotic, but now almost exclusively given to animals, many animal behaviorists have come to believe that Ace does nothing to calm suffering pets.  Rather, they say it makes them unable to move or exhibit any other outward indications of their fear, equivalent to a “chemical straitjacket.”  I don’t think we’re trying it again.)   
 
Then there’s Sileo, the first drug ever specifically approved by the Food and Drug Administration for canine noise aversion. An injectable, flavorless gel that’s squeezed between a dog’s cheek and gum, a single dose is about $30 and must be administered by a vet.  Given Sadie’s size, we were told she would need at least three doses.  It’s an expensive option, but one we may have to consider down the road.    
 
Amidst all of this, there’s some welcome news. 
 
This past year, the town of Collecchio, in Italy, decided that its pets are more important than the booming of fireworks.  So, the local government enacted a measure that now requires all of its citizens to use silent fireworks.  Germany has also banned fireworks near refugee shelters in order to reduce trauma, so perhaps a positive trend is emerging.
 
As for this American girl clown, I’m sad that I can’t attend any Fourth of July celebrations.  But the trade-off is so worth it that, really, it’s an option I don’t much think about anymore. 
 
After all, our sweet dogs are our kinfolk, and I love them just as fiercely as I do my daughter. 
 
And for now, all is well.  
 
At least until New Year’s Eve.
 
What do you think about dogs and fireworks, and what advice can you give this girl clown (besides moving to Collecchio)?  I look forward to your comments and stories, as well as great Fourth of July memories!   

Picture
Hank
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Sadie
Picture
Rusty
20 Comments
George Marshall link
7/24/2016 01:31:38 pm

I remember growing up when fireworks were both legal and prolific our dog Sparky suffered terribly on the fourth as well as from sirens at other times. He had acute hearing and it must have been very painful. He was an outdoor dog and it was the only time that he was allowed to come in the house where at least there was some insulation from the noise. It was bad.
Sedation seems like the best thing to get them through it. I hope you find a good one.
There are also natural calming herbs and essences.
Bach Flower Essence "Rescue Rrmedy" really works for all kinds of trauma both human and animal.
Also homeopathic "Calms Forte"

Reply
Hilary
7/24/2016 02:14:34 pm

I hadn't thought of the natural remedies! I've used Rescue for myself (before big interviews) and it does seem to help. Thanks for the ideas... absolutely worth a try.

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Patti
7/24/2016 02:56:32 pm

Living at the crest of the Cascade mountains means that when a thunderstorm occurs we are literally in the middle of it. Needless to say, our three Border Collies are traumatized with each storm. The "Thundershirt" does help, but the trick is to get it on them BEFORE the noise. Since the weather in the mountains changes very quickly, that's not always possible.

Reply
Hilary
7/24/2016 06:38:52 pm

Lucky for us in that regard, we know the fireworks are coming. Thinking we'd put them on right after noon on the Fourth. If we end up getting the shirts before New Year's Eve, we'll put them on at around the same time that day. I think we'll start with Sadie, as she is the most traumatized

Reply
Jamie Lewis link
7/24/2016 02:56:46 pm

I feel the same about the 4th of July as you Hilary. It is also my birthday so what used to be doubly wonderful for me as a child, is now quite the opposite.
I never had dogs growing up (gasp, I know! My mom was afraid of them.But that's another story entirely) so I never even realized that those loud wonderful fireworks could be anything other than wonderful. Now I can't enjoy seeing them unless I can't hear them beck know how much it's scaring so many animals. We also put on classical music to drown out the booms as best as possible. I think Rescue Remedy is an excellent idea and hope it works for your pooches!
Italy is looking better all the time! Thanks for another great article!

Reply
Hilary
7/24/2016 06:39:38 pm

Yeah, Italy is looking better for a LOT of reasons! :)

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Larry Grant
7/24/2016 03:20:11 pm

I really like the naturopathic/homeopathic suggestion!
Growing up in the rural Midwest, our dogs were hunting/retrieving dogs accustomed to the sound of shotguns going off. Fireworks didn't bother them.
I've come to two conclusions following this past 4th of July. Expecting people to be considerate is totally unrealistic and expecting these same people to abide by the law is just as unrealistic. When we called the Sherriff's office we were told that ours was the 28th call from our neighborhood alone. Apparently expecting enforcement of the law is also unrealistic. Oh well!

Reply
Hilary
7/24/2016 06:42:50 pm

Sadly, law enforcement being totally overwhelmed by fireworks wasn't just here... my cousin in Portland posted a similar frustrating story, and the same was true in Los Angeles. It's also VERY tough to cite a perp for this, because he/she has to literally be caught with a firecracker in one hand and a match in the other.

Reply
Joanne Mendes
7/24/2016 08:57:05 pm

Hi Hilary, with our rescue dog Caspian, on New Years Eve, thunder storms & 4th of July we would put him on a harness & leash, take him into the most sound proof room of the house, turn the TV up loud, wrap him up in a big towel or blanket & distract him with treats. Missed the fireworks 14 years while he was alive.

Reply
Hilary
7/24/2016 09:23:12 pm

So, just like us, you did a mix of things. Sadly, there isn't one room in our house that doesn't have a window and all are equally not-soundproof. The dogs have torn our screens and sheer drapery panels and at this point, there's no sense in repairing them. Just doing the best we can because, just like Caspian was, they are family! :)

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Susan Jordan
7/24/2016 11:02:00 pm

Regarding those inconsiderate louts who set off those illegal bombs before and after the 4th, my mind wanders toward the wish of catching them in the butt cheek with a nice, quiet arrow from a crossbow so as not to further disturb the pet friends, but that's just me. What are these quiet fireworks????!!! I need to hear more about this trend.

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Hilary
7/25/2016 08:39:58 am

Here's another NYT article about quiet fireworks. The fireworks are also more colorful, and music that accompanies them can be more easily heard. I hope the trend comes here! http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/01/science/july-4-fireworks-quiet.html?_r=0

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leslie spoon
7/25/2016 08:48:09 am

Hilary I do not like July 4th. I have seen so many dogs get out of their yards on that night and running down the streets. The fire works also kill a lot of baby birds in Morro Bay. As you know we have some neighbors who like to set them off here. Real smart during this fire season. I always dread that time of year and have my hose ready in the yard in case of a fire. This year the fire works got parrot upset too.

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Hilary
7/25/2016 10:06:21 am

I can't think of anyone with pets who enjoys fireworks. Even the few I know whose animals aren't bothered by them aren't happy about their effect... because they know other pets (and those pets' owners) who DO get freaked out about them.

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Loree
7/26/2016 10:48:52 am

I absolutely love the idea of quiet fireworks. Living near a baseball stadium that has 3 or 4 fireworks shows during the season is not enjoyable for my furry family, I find it very disrespectful to the neighborhood.

Reply
Hilary
7/26/2016 12:07:26 pm

You've brought up another interesting, and valuable-to-discussion, point. And that is, you live in an area where the fireworks that do go off are legal, safe, and sanctioned by the city. Nonetheless, those fireworks still cause extreme distress. Quiet fireworks would solve a LOT of the problem here, and the music that accompanies those fireworks could be heard a lot better, too.

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kerri
11/5/2016 02:57:53 pm

My Lucy doesn't seem to mind. She is kinda out-of-it in general, though. :) I love that you play classical music for yours... what a great idea!

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Hilary
11/5/2016 03:22:44 pm

Now that we no longer have Rusty, I am hoping that this coming Fourth of July will be better. I know that law enforcement doesn't have the man/woman power it needs, so, it's up to us. I wonder if Lucy might have some hearing loss? : )

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Dyann Burian
9/14/2019 07:30:23 pm

I can't really say any of our dogs (one was named Rusty too) bothered much about fireworks. Of course they were in the house with us and perhaps felt we would protect them. In any event what I really worried about was the cats---as most of them insisted on being outside, it made me nervous knowing they were out there. Although I'd be surprised if they were not under the house or some other safe place the whole time. Fireworks make ME nervous---I'm always afraid some nutcase is going to sail one on the roof and start a fire! Big bangs make me JUMP. They don't belong in neighborhoods---let them stay at the Fairgrounds or over a river or lake---much safer for pets and their humans!

Reply
Hilary A Grant
9/15/2019 11:20:30 am

I absolutely LOATHE neighborhood fireworks. They are dangerous, and with Sadie having been shot at (she's a rescue and this is what the vet believes), it's even worse. CBD oil has helped, a little. But... I absolutely LOVE going to fireworks shows. For about three years, I went to the adjacent golf course next to the Rose Bowl to watch the fireworks with friends. The folks who own the golf course close it up for people to come and hang out and picnic. You have to get there around 3 pm, and then, when the fireworks start at about 8 pm at the Rose Bowl, you get a GREAT view. Only problem is that it takes more than an hour to get out of the parking lot.

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    Hilary Roberts Grant

    Journalist, editor, filmmaker, foodie--and a clown! 
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