Happy 4th of July to all my American readers!
![i-ac5c31368b4b0c10fac7d3e3ee929941-Fourth_of_July_fireworks_behind_the_Washington_Monument,_1986.jpg](http://scienceblogs.com/insolence/wp-content/blogs.dir/445/files/2012/04/i-ac5c31368b4b0c10fac7d3e3ee929941-Fourth_of_July_fireworks_behind_the_Washington_Monument,_1986.jpg)
For more serious ruminations about the 4th by yours truly, check out posts I've done on the topic before:
In the meantime, I'll be rounding on my partners' patients all morning, as I drew the 4th of July as one of the holidays that I have to cover on call. I'll also be dreading tonight's fireworks display. Now don't get me wrong; I like a good fireworks display as much as the next guy. The problem is that our town's display is close enough to our house that the explosions reduce our brave bunny killer to a whining, barking, cowering, quivering mass of dog flesh.
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Today is Friday, which has normally meant for the last two years that it's the time every week when I poke fun at some particularly outrageous woo. Indeed. I even had a great idea for a 4th of July-themed post today that (I hope) would have been hilarious. I had even started to write a bit of it…
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I don't mind the fireworks, and have found a spot in my neighborhood where I can watch at least one and maybe both major local shows, but I live right on the edge of an unincorporated area where buying fireworks is legal. Even that doesn't bother me, until people start setting them off at 11pm, scaring the cat and making it impossible to sleep. The south end of West Seattle sounds like a war zone every year. One group was obnoxious enough last night that someone called the cops.
Our dog and cats got used to fireworks in our old house - not only were we within walking distance of the town fireworks, but we hosted the annual block party and the neighbors provided an impressive (but illegal) show every year. I wish the dog would be as blase' about the doorbell.
Sorry to hear the brave bunny killer doesn't feel the same way. Sometimes a mild sedative (ace or diazepam)helps reduce the anxiety for irregular "panic" events like today.
This is always a tough situaton for us and there are a variety of approaches depending on the dogs disposition (mild mannered, high strung, OCD...). We often get an emergency call or two where the dog ate the door or ran off.
These things can often worsen with age, so it might be a good idea (if you haven't already) to have a discussion with the vet & see if you can come up with something like a game plan.
Anyway, Happy Fourth & don't work too hard!
This morning I'm going to bike into Downtown to see the parade. My first ever so it should be interesting. If only I had a Aussie flag to wave, its red, white and blue, would fit right in.
Flagstaff cancelled its fireworks due to fire danger. So we won't find out if our pup is terrified or not.
I have three dogs, two malamutes of various genders, and a male boxer. The boxer hates all loud noises but is otherwise the most placid of his breed I've ever owned. The male malamute finds car horns and the doorbell personal affronts to his honor. The female malamute, being the absolute queen of all the world, has no opinion on any noise. However,during a thunderstorm, while the boxer looks for ways shimmy up the walls, she will sit in the middle of the floor and stare at me intently. I think, however, that she is trying to get me to tell her the rain, a bane to her existence, will turn to snow, the absolute treasure of the seasons.
None of which has anything to do with the 4th of July, unless you consider the fact that I have room in my home for three dogs because I am not hosting British militia.
My SO and I were listening first to the fireworks and then to the (almost continuous) sirens of the emergency vehicles last night. We were grateful that she doesn't take call any longer (circulating nurse.) The 4th has to be one of those days that anyone in the ER must absolutely hate.
I've been nervous (like the dogs here) about fireworks since I read "Follow My Leader" in elementary school -- story about a boy blinded by fireworks.
It's very dry here in SoCal right now, but there were lots of idiots setting off (illegal) fireworks. I'm just glad the place didn't burn down around us!
A history lesson...
In 1776 we declared our independence from the Crown. This set in motion a need in England for some place to dump their prisoners, as we were no longer their dumping ground.
Lo and behold...there was this newly discovered place...New South Wales...and the First Fleet set sail in 1787, just as our Constitution was being formalized.
So, I always invite Australians to help celebrate the 4th of July, simply because it helped found their country. And, so far, no Australian has ever refused another opportunity to have a party.
http://www.ulladulla.info/historian/ffstory.html
No Aussies will ever refuse a party.
We had a 4th July party once in Sydney. I made heaps of red,white and blue Vodka jelly shots which were arranged into the flag. It was great. Having a Yank for a husband helps. We also did Thanksgiving for 40 people for several years and being in Summer means you can have it outside.
Now we are in the US we need to have Australia Day parties.