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Harley McGuire on Safe July 4 for Pets

SedonaEye.com Star Paws Up Columnist, Harley McGuire

SedonaEye.com Star Paws Up Columnist, Harley McGuire with good advice for a pet-friendly July 4

Sedona AZ (June 28, 2013)HEY THERE ONE & ALL!  This is a very important message I’m sending. Please, please take time to read it and follow the instructions:

Never was this tough pup afraid of anything ‘cuz of my surviving being hit by a car and all…until that heating thingy on our roof kept sploding and sceering me out of my fur!

It was after that we went on a shopping spree to finally get me a Thunder Shirt with my correct name on it. Yep, I shiver and shake during bad storms anymore, so Mom definitely will keep me trussed up in my special shirt and dosed with up with “Rescue” during the coming week.

So, have a happy and safe 4th of July and keep lots of paper stuffs handi to wipe off sweats. Now read away!

July 4th Pet Safety Tips

harley mcguire dog park 1

Harley McGuire and pals chillin’ at the dog park

The Fourth of July is one of the most stressful and potentially dangerous times of the year for pets. While you and your family, friends, and neighbors are celebrating the holiday with fireworks, pets are finding these festive activities anything but celebratory.

Many pet parents assume that if their pet is not afraid of thunder or other loud noises, they will not be bothered by fireworks. This is not necessarily true. Even pets who normally are not bothered by thunder and other loud noises are often frightened and panicked by the cumulative effects of the fireworks, the excited voices outside, and being left alone inside the house.

If pets are left outside and unattended, the noise and raucous often drives them to run away. In fact, the July 4th holiday is a very busy time for animal shelters across the U.S. They report taking in a higher number dogs that run off during firework festivities. In addition, many police stations log higher volumes of stray dog calls and barking complaints on July 4th compared to any other day of the year.

Harley Mcguire would rather NOT be near July 4 fireworks!

Harley McGuire does NOT want to go to the park and hear July 4 fireworks!

By planning ahead and taking some common sense precautions, you can help ensure your pet is happy and safe this Fourth of July.

  • Do not take your pet to fireworks displays.
  • Do not leave your pet alone in the car. With only hot air to breathe inside a car, your pet can suffer serious health effects even death in a few short minutes. Partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they do provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen.
  • However, if your pet is most comfortable in the car, some pet parents find that driving around with their pet in the car helps to calm their pet.
  • Keep your pets in your home in a comfortable and quiet area with the shades drawn. If your pet is crate trained, then their crate is a great choice. Some animals can become destructive when frightened, so be sure that you’ve removed any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed.
  • Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep your pet company while you’re attending Fourth of July picnics, parades, and other celebrations.
Harley McGuire says "Hey, Sadie, pretty lady!"

Harley McGuire says “Hey, Sadie, pretty lady!”

If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.

If your pet seeks comfort in a bath tub, under a bed or other small space…let them. Do not try to lure them out. If the space is safe and it makes them feel more secure, let them be.

Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn’t leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.

Make sure your pets are wearing identification tags so that if they do become lost, they can be returned promptly. Animals found running at-large should be taken to the local animal shelter, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.

Here’s to you and your pet having a happy and safe Independence Day!

Four Paws Up!

Four Paws Up!

 

Lovingly,

Harley McGuire

Happy Fourth of July! Be safe out there!

I’d like to give Four Paws Up and thanks to my pet pal Kim Salerno, President and Founder of TripsWithPetsDotCom – the #1 online resource for pet travel for helping me help my pet parents and pals! Kim’s site was named BEST pet travel site by Consumer Reports cuz she’s an an expert in the field of pet travel and she’s a www.SedonaEye.com Harley McGuire, Four Paws Up Star Pet column fan!
For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!

For the best in Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!

9 Comments

  1. Bingo! says:

    Harley, Harley, Harley I so know how scary those loud bangs are and I so hope my own humanoids will read your warnings. Besides it’s against the law to do those horrible things and it could set the world on fire. Thanks for the reminder.

  2. Debbie says:

    sooooo cuuuuute via Twitter

  3. Martha says:

    Thanks for the great advice for pet owners. I don’t have one, but I don’t like to hear the noise from exploding fire crackers either.

  4. Hey Harley, if it’s too hot for you there get your ma to move back to Manhattan Beach.

  5. Charlie Bert says:

    hey there pal have a great day and thanks for the tips

  6. Chip'n Dale says:

    Harley, we anticipate being safe and sound (proof) in our little VOC house. Thunder doesn’t bother us after the first big bang!!!! and we do not hear fireworks.

    Happy 4th from the boys and the Glamma!

  7. Thanks, Pals, for your comments.

    Today I heard funder and Mom was hoping for rain. No such luck. Keep all things crossed and do pet begs that we don’t get litening fires started. Be safe and grateful if we survive another 4th of July without disaster.

    Lovingly,
    Harley McGuire

  8. Hey Harley, excellent suggestions to heed by! Been mighty toasty out here in hot, scorching, sunny So. Cal but today finally brings a most welcomed respite with cooler temps & clouds; lovely! Mom & Dad always leave the thermostat set between 78-80 when they leave for the day & keep a ceiling fan running, along with the always mandatory bowl of fresh water. But dad dragged mom to Fillmore on Saturday so he could purchase fireworks which he’ll light (just a few) in our backyard & we’ll run for cover under the bed, like every year. C’est la vie!

  9. via tweet/ bonnie & clyde don’t have dibs on great names

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