So I’ve been watching some “debates” on Twitter about the fact that people make a big deal out of how much animals are adversely affected by fireworks and it’s pissing off people who love them. “I don’t care about your dog!” says a tweeter, “I love Fireworks and it’s a part of our history!” Yes it is. Who doesn’t love pretty showers of light high in the sky? It’s beautiful. Here’s a little history on why we do it and John Adams who started this and what he dreamed of as our celebration:

Why do we have fireworks on our Independence Day? Because John Adams wanted us to. Before the Declaration of Independence was even signed, he envisioned fireworks as a part of the festivities. In a letter to Abigail Adams on July 3, 1776, he wrote that the occasion should be commemorated “with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” The first commemorative Independence Day fireworks were set off on July 4, 1777. The Pennsylvania Evening Post wrote that in Philadelphia, “The evening was closed with the ring of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons.”

John Adams never mentioned M80s and other pyrotechnical displays in your own backyard for days before the 4th and days beyond. How many of us know someone from our childhood who went to the ER because of an M80 exploding in the hand? I always liked smoke bombs, those black snake things (that left a perm mark on the sidewalk) and caps, not in a gun but I would drag a good pointed piece of someone’s cracked sidewalk and drag it along my roll that I had carefully rolled out with rocks holding it in place on the ends. I never liked M80s, and even the little ones that the boys in our neighborhood would light a whole bunch of together were scary to me. Mind you, this was the lovely Point Breeze neighborhood of Pittsburgh. We were kids, it was risky which made it kind of fun; but then most of us grew up and got away from that–most of us.

So let’s go back to our dogs and fireworks. First of all they are not the same as thunderstorms. Thunderstorms come with a lot of warnings to dogs, changes in barometric pressure, wind, and dogs recognize these. Fireworks happen less often than thunderstorms and with no warning so your dog may be more intimidated by them. During fireworks, your dog experiences the same kind of startled response you do when you’re surprised by a loud noise. This may mean an increase in heart rate, a rush of adrenaline, and an increase in stress hormones circulating through the body. (Cortisol) Dogs have keen senses that make fireworks a more intense experience. Your dog’s acute hearing makes him more sensitive to the sounds of fireworks than you are. Not all dogs are afraid of fireworks. Why? Perhaps they got used to them at a very young age or are super easy going. You can help desensitize your dogs when you know “fireworks season” is coming. People thought I was crazy when I had fireworks playing in the shelter kennel in the months prior in preparation. Victoria Stilwell has great “anti-phobia” CDs and one of them is fireworks. The fireworks in my town were literally above the shelter so the dogs needed all the help they could get. This process can take a long time and it’s not an immediate fix. If you haven’t had time to desensitize perhaps you could create a safe space in your home with some music like “Through A Dog’s Ear” use something like Rescue Remedy or Composure to help take the edge off. A thundershirt can help as well. A nice frozen treat like my Pupsicles or a favorite toy can help to make a positive association with fireworks. All of these things can help. And for dog owners–relax. If you are freaked out about your dog getting freaked out your dog is gonna freak out!! Stay calm.

Wouldn’t it be nice to honor John Adams by doing what he wanted? One night — 30 minutes, the 4th of July, our country’s Independence Day – light up the sky in celebration. It would be easier on all of us, canine friends included, we can all get through 30 minutes especially without a week or so of trigger stacking.

Let’s also not let Independence Day follow the trend of celebrating holidays long before they are here weakening the meaning of that special day. Yesterday, July 3, I walked into a store to be greeted by a display of pumpkins, acorns, and a “give thanks” banner when I was looking for Independence Day themed paper plates. I walked out, went to Petco for Composure – anti-anxiety dog treats for the dogs, then to the wine and spirits store for a little anti-anxiety treat for me. We toasted John Adams and the rest of the brave men who signed our Declaration of Independence. We thought about dogs outside on chains with no one comforting them, we prayed for the estimated 11,000 Americans who will end up in the ER with injuries sustained from backyard fireworks. Please be careful everyone, enjoy the 4th, celebrate the 4th on the 4th and please keep your dogs safe and secure today and always. And those pumpkins? Wait on those, they’ll be on clearance with Halloween candy when the kids go back to school and Santa is on the store’s shelves.