July 2025

🇺🇸 happy July 4th!!! 🇺🇸

---

        July 4th, also known as Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This day signifies the formal declaration of the 13 American colonies' separation from British rule, marking the birth of the United States as an independent nation. Celebrations typically include fireworks, parades, picnics, and other festivities. ​(1)

I love a birthday celebration! I love cake and cookies and I adore celebrating anything! Looks like here in New York the weather will be fantastic!  That's wonderful news for people who are planning outdoor parties, barbecues, picnics and the like to celebrate the holiday. While all of the celebrations are fun and it's so good to celebrate our county's birth, it's also a holiday where there are the most runaway pets. Shelters on July 5th are filled to capacity with pets who have gotten spooked from the fireworks and run away, gotten lost, and ended up on the streets wandering around scared and alone.  For many families this holiday can be very challenging especially if you have a pet that's sensitive to the sound of fireworks. Many people, like myself, have had family pets that become frightened and run or shake out of control. It's important to know how to keep your pets safe at home during the holiday.

Here are some tips I've used over the years to ensure the safety of my pets:

• I set up a quiet, cozy space indoors where they can feel safe and secure. If it's hot outside, I usually keep my pets in the air-conditioning. If I want to exercise my pets and take them for a walk, we usually take them early in the morning when its' cooler and there's no firework booms.
• I skip the table scraps and keep trash cans closed to avoid upset stomachs or an emergency vet visit. If you're having a party, instruct your guests not to give any food and alcohol to your pet(s). Remember you're their advocate...they rely on you to make these decisions for them.
• I keep ALL gates, doors and windows closed to prevent my pets from slipping out during a party or running away at the sound of the booms.
• I use calming music, white noise or anxiety vests to help my pets cope with the noise. I remember my little Beloved Maggie Mae was so scared that even the white noise didn't help. She trembled and ran helter skelter all over the place. Nothing seemed to help.  Then I got her a Thundershirt. That helped a lot. If you don't have a Thundershirt or calming vest, a towel wrapped around the pet while holding the pet sometimes does the trick. 
• Make sure that your pet(s) are up-to-date with their ID Tags and are microchipped. This will increase the chance of a safe return if they do get lost.
• AND If (God forbid) your pet does get lost...get the word out immediately on social media. 

I hope these tips help you with planning a 4th of July that safe and WOOfderful for both you and your pet(s)! While we all want to have a safe and pleasurable holiday, things do happen that are out of our control. However, if you take these tips seriously your holiday will be happy and celebratory!

🇺🇸 Happy July 4th🇺🇸
Enjoy every minute and be safe!!
Happy Tales to you,
​xoxo Yvonne

Bibliography:
(1) Joly 4th search