Fireworks can create horrific experience for pets

To The Daily Sun,

Last Saturday evening, I took my two poodles out on leashes for “last call” around 9 p.m., as is our nightly routine. We always walk down Union Avenue for a ways and head down through the parking lot behind Harris Furniture, walk up Messer Street and Irving Street and back home again.

We had just turned the corner behind Harris Furniture when fireworks began exploding in the sky right overhead, coming from the Messer Street vicinity. I never take my dogs out during the fireworks on the Fourth of July, as it can lead to a lifetime of trauma during that event every year and also during thunderstorms. So, this was a horrific experience for them (and for me) and I had all I could do to hang on to their leashes and try to reassure them as they both panicked. I led them back towards Union Ave. as the fireworks continued to explode overhead.

Union Ave was full of motorcycles and it was just pandemonium for two very-frightened dogs as I tried to make myself heard over the explosions in the sky and the revving of the cycles.

We did get back home safely, but I now anticipate the same reaction whenever there are fireworks and maybe thunderstorms as well, even if we are safely indoors at the time. We hear them all summer long being set off around Lake Opechee, on just about any night of the week.

First, I wish fireworks were not available for sale to the public. But, since they are, I wish people who purchase them for their own entertainment would consider the effect they have on other people’s pets and also on the wildlife.

Some regulations would help — maybe if they could only be set off on weekend nights between 9 p.m. and midnight, so pet owners would know when to expect them and safeguard their pets.

Any other pet owners out there who feel the same way?

Bonni Taylor

Laconia