Despite the fact it is illegal to shoot off fireworks in the City and County of Denver, there still are way too many people who ignore that ordinance up to an including the July 4th ‘howliday.’ We suspect Denver isn’t the only municipality where residents illegally set off fireworks either.

Sam here. In keeping with past years, we aim to notify the appropriate authorities of illegal fireworks and spread the word to educate cretins…I mean uprights that it’s not a good idea to set them off. There are plenty of professional fireworks displays people can watch if they must, but they definitely don’t need to set them off in residential neighborhoods where the noise may be a little too close for the comfort and well being of pets, as well as a potential fire hazard. Don’t know about you, but we’re not particularly keen on any of our neighbors setting off fireworks after relentless days of hot temperatures that dried out trees, shrubs, and grass or having a spark hit a shingle on the roof.

July 3rd is the busiest day for veterinary offices (when anti-stress medications are picked up) and more pets go missing on July 4th than any other day of the year. It breaks my mom’s heart and makes her say naughty words when they go off. Our last sheepdog, Finn nearly lost his mind when they started up in our neighborhood and none of her various remedies/strategies would ease his distress. He even got himself stuck between the box spring and the bed frame. It was all she could do to extricate him without either of them getting hurt or bitten. Mom said right then and there she’d make it her mission to keep other dogs from suffering like poor Finn. It’s ok to celebrate the 4th, just remember someone at home may not find a noisy celebration quite as much fun as you do. Dogs process those loud noises differently than uprights do.

Here’s hoping you have a safe and happy 4th of July. Happy birthday, America 🇺🇸

Live, love, bark! <3