21st June is Fete de la Musique in France where many towns and villages have an evening of music in the streets, culminating with a firework display at the end. We live at the opposite end from where the event is held in our village but, even so, the sound of music and fireworks carries across to us. The display last about 20 minutes, finishing with an enormous explosion of dozens of fireworks! Bebe and Bracken aren’t bothered by the noise, Polar listens, cocks his head, trying to identify the sound. Carmela gets in a terrible state, rushing from room to room, unwilling to be held and comforted. Unusually this year my horse, out in the meadow, was unsettled by it all.
The next round of fireworks in France is 14th July, Bastille Day, luckily not celebrated noisily in our village!
4th July is Independence Day celebrations in the US, another day when fireworks play a large part in events.
In the UK it’s 5th November – Bonfire Night – but fireworks also play a part in events throughout the summer – music festivals, Picnic in the Park and so on.
So much distress caused to so many animals…
So here are a few pointers to consider in trying to keep your animals safe.
1. Make sure they are shut inside – or that equines have large areas in which to run.
2. take your dog for an early walk, get them out to the toilet/exercised before fireworks are likely to begin.
3. Are your contact details secured to your dog/cat’s collar? Maybe even write your mobile phone no on the collar.
4. Have you got an up-to-date photo of your dog to identify it easily?
5. Put the television on, play some music or a DVD film.
6. If you know far enough in advance, maybe try Bach Rescue Remedy or some other calming product. Here’s a link to some. I used Pheronome with success with one of my horses occasionally when he had to be left on his own without his stable buddy.
Dogs hear louder than we do, fireworks are scary.