General

I'm copying this from Cesar Millan's website, very good information:

More pets are lost on Independence Day than any other day.
Here are some tips for keeping your dog safe!

1.) Go for a long walk before celebrating. If you normally take your dog out for thirty minutes, take a two-hour hike instead! You want your dog to be completely exhausted. This way his brain will be so tired that he won't be able to concentrate on the fireworks.

2.) Use canine-safe ear plugs. It is natural for dogs to be afraid of loud noises. The sounds trigger their nervous system, and they may become nervous, afraid, unsure, or shy. Running away from the noise is a survival mechanism. If you can block the noise, it may curb the "flight" response.

3.) Distract your dog. Once the fireworks go off, ask him to do obedience behavior, put him on the treadmill, or strap on his backpack. This helps him focus on something other than the noise.

4.) Involve your dog's nose. Scents such as lavender or pine can help encourage your dog to relax.

5.) Maintain calm and assertive energy. Don't feel sorry or frustrated. Don't blame the fireworks or the people setting them off. These negative emotions will just feed your dog's anxiety; it won't help the situation!

6.) Keep your dog on a leash. This will give you more control and help you prevent your dog from running off.

7.) Make sure your dog has I.D. If your dog does become lost, tags and microchips can get him back to you safely. You may also want to consider investing in a device that allows you to locate your dog immediately, like Global Pet Finder.

8.) Be proactive! If you learn that your dog is nervous around fireworks, start preparing now for next year. I recommend that you begin conditioning your dog to be comfortable with these loud sounds at least three months in advance. Don't wait until Independence Day to introduce your dog to the loud sounds associated with fireworks. Download the sounds of firecrackers, pistols, and other loud noises, and allow your dog to hear them at a low volume while he's eating, walking, sleeping, and watching TV with you. Gradually increase the volume each day until your dog is comfortable with the sounds at the highest level. I also recommend that you introduce the scent of fireworks to your dog, so he becomes comfortable with that. It's a simple process, but it takes time. Don't wait until the last minute to do something about it, and next year it will be a walk in the park!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=LHcWZfR0n28&feature=related

If you turn your volume up, that is a bit of a conditioning video...

Doggie Styles Plus And More Heart Pet Sitting can also pet sit your dog for any part of the day to limit losses. Instead of tying your dog up or to a pole, or leaving them in the car, please feel free to bring them in for any amount of time you need them pet-sat.

I received another email about dogs and the 4th of July, please think about your pets before you leave them alone tomorrow, their lives may depend on it:

4th of July - NOT A GOOD DAY FOR DOGS

Please read this post if you have a dog:

Traditionally the 4th of July is a very bad day for dogs because of the fear and instinctual tendencies that are triggered with fireworks. Dogs become very skittish from the sounds of explosions as well as the whining and whistling sounds of rockets and other fireworks. A dogs hearing is 100 times more sensitive than ours, so there is no doubt that these sounds cut to the core of the dog.

At the times surrounding this holiday when humans are having fun, remember that this is a torturous time for your dog and all dogs. Dogs that are spooked by these sounds often run away and keep running. It is commonly a very busy time for animal shelters as many dogs end up in shelters around the 4th of July.. Which means, more dogs are killed to make room for the incoming. If you have any interest in the highly problematic KILL shelters in our society, I urge you to visit my Bound Angels Blog, the link to which is at the right.

Some simple steps to take to protect your dog:
1. keep your dog inside
2. if your dogs must stay outside, be sure the fence is strong and tall enough to contain him (however I recommend bringing dogs inside where there are lots of fireworks)
3. since your do is going into a state of fear, it is not a good idea to coddle the dog. it is much better to use a strong loving tone, assuring your dog "its ok.. you're a good dog."
4. playing music in your house, can distract the dog from outside noises
5. some of his/her favorite treats is a good distraction

The most obvious thing to remember is to distract the dog from the fear they are facing. Brushing/grooming, playing... anything to keep them busy. I say don't coddle them, since it shows weakness. The dog is a pack animal and looks to the alpha (which should be you) for strength. A leader does not coddle, but instead assures the dog that they are safe. This is an important thing to remember.

http://boundangels.blogspot.com/2008/04/current-rescue.html

Not sure if that is the correct web site referred to in the article. Looks like "Bound Angels" is used for a lot of different organizations

Found: 1 Chocolate Lab

Name: Buster

Found in Crestline on 7/4/08

A little overweight, super friendly, Male