Happy Fourth of July!

As the 4th of July looms around the corner, you are probably spending your evenings as I have been...listening to all the neighbors popping off those cases of fireworks they have been lugging home. So, this might be a good time to remind everyone that while we humans find this an occasion for celebration, animals might have a different view point entirely!

Many dogs & cats are scared to death of loud noises like thunder, cars back-firing, and of course...fireworks. So how can you minimize their anguish? Well, the answer largely depends on whether your pet is an inside or outside pet. If Fido or Fluffy stays outside, nothing short of being stoned on pet tranquilizers and and being very securely confined will help. Sorry...no need to gloss it over. The fireworks are everywhere, all day...all night. Unless you can bring them in in the evening, they will be at the mercey of every neighbor with a bottle rocket or an M-80!

If your pets are indoor pets, there is help! If you gone during the day or evening, leave the T.V. or radio on...and turn them up a little to help drown out the noise of the outside pyrotechnics. Sometimes, if they are extremely fearful, you may still need the aid of a pet tranquilizer. Ask your Vet what they recommend for these trying times.

And even though I really shouldn't have to say this...say it I will. Parents, please tell your children that it is not permissible to throw fire crackers at animals, strap them to cats tails, or a myriad of other equally nasty little cruelties that animals often suffer.

So, celebrate the birthday of our country. Enjoy the fireworks displays - large or small. But try and remember that not every member of our household is thrilled with the whole thing. They will need a little extra love and attention too!

Things to ponder?

As we go through our daily grind, how many of us really stop to consider the things around us? I'm not talking about things like houses, office buildings or the new car the neighbor just bought. I'm referring to the other things around us. Trees, plants, birds and turtles. Yep...turtles!

Today I came across a very large turtle, about the size of the hubcap on the Toyota my wife drives. To reach this size - if I am remembering my biology correctly - usually takes a turtle around 20 to 30 years. This particular turtle was a female - with eggs. The true tragedy here is that aside from the death of this marvelous creature and her potential offspring, it really didn't have to happen in the first place. Unfortunately, what with cell phones, CD players and XM radio...we often find way too many things inside our vehicles to distract us from seeing what is outside. We go too fast, and observe too little.

I can't help but wonder why it wasn't possible that the person who ran over this poor creature, didn't see her lumbering across the street, and give her a chance? I can only hope they tried to avoid hitting her. I would hate to think that any of us would be so cold and callous, that we would take the destruction of a creature 20 or 30 years old with a frivilous attitude. If that were true...that would really be the greatest tragedy of all!