4th of July Weekend Kickoff!

Busy has not only been my middle name this week, but it has also been my first and last too!! Work has been H-E-C-T-I-C!!! So much so that by the time I got home, I just ceased to exist. I apologize for my neglect here. I can't believe it's 4th of July time already!! This has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love family, friends, cookouts, fireworks, and swimming. I LOVE the summer holidays. While I love all of the excitement, I'm all too aware that 2 of my dogs absolutely DO NOT!!! Shiloh and Fergie are both TERRIFIED of fireworks and big crowds. So, I make sure that I leave them indoors, where they are the most comfortable. I make sure that I let them out before the fireworks start. I don't let them out again, until I hear mostly no sign of them in the neighborhood. The American Humane Association, Humane Society of the United States, and the ASPCA all remind pet owners to keep their pets safe during the 4th of July weekend. Here is the ASPCA's list of tips to keep your pooches and kitties happy this weekend:

* Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.

* Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals. Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

* Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of your pets’ reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing—or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, aspiration pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.

* Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pets severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that foods such as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, grapes & raisins, salt and yeast dough can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.

* Do not put glow jewelry on your pets, or allow them to play with it. While the luminescent substance contained in these products is not highly toxic, excessive drooling and gastrointestinal irritation could still result from ingestions, and intestinal blockage could occur from swallowing large pieces of the plastic containers.

* Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingestions can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression. If inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia in pets.

* Loud, crowded fireworks displays are no fun for pets, so please resist the urge to take them to Independence Day festivities. Instead, keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home.