Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Thoughts on the Fifth of July











We've finally returned to relative peace and quiet after the Fourth of July boomed a rather unwelcome litany...hours and hours of litany.

On the evening of the Fourth, Indy needed to go outside. He'd been in his crate and potty-time had long since passed. I knew he'd be reluctant to do it, since we were surrounded by people who felt the need to demonstrate their patriotic spirit as loudly as possible. So I planned to go with him as a reassuring presence. Perhaps it wouldn't be too bad. With his hearing loss, would he even notice what was going on?

Let me tell you, that dog still has hearing enough to detect fireworks.

He planted all four feet so firmly that I had to carry him outside. Booms and flashes of light filled the sky. Even I had to duck my head as missles and rockets exploded above us.  Did we somehow get shipped to Afghanistan? And if so, where were the ruby slippers that could get us back home? Indy and I walked circles around the house, but no area was safe from the artillary. Pottying was not an option. I finally gave up and took him inside to wait for things to calm down. Sometime after midnight, we ventured back out. Luckily all that remained was a hazy cloud of blue smoke and blessed peace.

Somehow it seems the Fourth of July has gotten a bit out of control. Mega-monster gunpowder-packed explosives used to be reserved for professional Fourth of July displays. Now every wannabe G.I. Joe has them. Why do we need to detonate bombs to prove our patriotism? And am I the only one who thinks this practice is at best foolish, and at worst downright dangerous?

I liked the good old days of picnics, flag flying, and marching bands. Seeing straight precision lines of our armed forces never fails to stir patriotic feelings in me. Keep the fireworks. I'd way rather have my heart swell with pride than my ears ring with pain.

On July 5, I went outside to clean up litter from sticks and burned paper scattered in the yard. I glanced at the front porch and saw our old flag still waving gamely amidst the carnage. Faded red, white, and blue had never looked better.

And that's my idea of patriotism. 

13 comments:

Julia Williams said...

Oh, I sooooooo agree with you on this! I dread the 4th of July holiday because I know it will scare the bejeebies out of my pets, and frankly, I find the loud booms of fireworks annoying to my ears as well. Plus, it goes on seemingly FOREVER! It's just too much. I never really understood the appeal anyway -- after five minutes all fireworks look the same.

The Daily Pip said...

I am totally with you on this!

Your pal, Pip

Fireblossom said...

I am so totally with you on all of this. I, too, went outside with my Bosco, but it was too scary for him to even pee. Poor guy! I have never understood the appeal of all that noise. I'm with you...let's go to the parade!

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

New years and the 4th are two days out of the year I don't mind being stuck in dirtville.

I don't believe for a minute that anyone setting off those fireworks, legal or not, are celebrating Independance Day

Thank DOG it's over!

Two French Bulldogs said...

I learned something, if momma takes me and Lily outside on the balcont to watch the fireworks, we are somewhat ok.
Benny & Lily

Linda O'Connell said...

Pat, I completely agree with you on this. I'm glad it's over.

Cat and DOG Chat With Caren said...

fabulous and I soooo agree!

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

I agree. The homegrown fireworks are nothing but noise and disruption (and dangerous). I love a good fireworks show, as long as its being put on by the county. Poor Indy! My pups don't like the noise either. Rigby, my yellow Lab will brave pretty much everything; but Penny, my black Lab, stayed on her belly and wouldn't budge. Not until the booming was over.

Sherry said...

Totally agree. July 4 is no fun any more because it causes so much suffering among pets.

Lynn said...

I agree - it's also really hard to sleep with all that racket!

Tammy said...

I like going to see professional ones on the 4th, but anything more seems like overkill to me, too. The good news for me is that my dog no longer hears them. Or thunder!

Stella said...

A few years ago, when fireworks were illegal in my town, our local paper used to publish news about how many kids/adults were injured in shooting off fireworks (purchased in ND).

You don't see that anymore because fireworks are now legal where I live. So we don't want to discourage people from spending money for the 4th. Nasty notion isn't it?

Only we pups and kitties really suffer.

Stella

Cattis said...

I agree totally on this with you. Here we don't celebrate the 6th of June the way you celebrate 4th July there are other days - besides New year- I dread: 30th April and the first Sunday in Advent.