4th of July Safety Tips: Fireworks Are Not a Dog's Best Friend

4th of July Safety Tips: Fireworks Are Not a Dog's Best Friend

from the ASPCA Website
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=media_newsalert062708&JServSessionIdr009=s2136vetv1.app25b#2

As the country dons its red, white and blue to celebrate Independence Day, nothing says patriotism like a good old-fashioned barbecue with a side of fireworks. But what’s fun for people can often be a downright drag for our furry friends. The ASPCA offers some advice to help you keep your pets singing, “Oh Say Can You See,” all the way to the Fifth.

- Keep your pets on the wagon. Alcohol is potentially poisonous to pets, so place your wine, beer and spirits out of their reach.

- Avoid scraps from the grill. Any change in your pet’s diet can result in stomach upset. Plus, certain foods like onions, avocado, grapes and raisins can be toxic.

- Bugs biting? Avoid lathering your pet with any insect repellent or sunscreen not intended for the four-legged kind.

- Don’t let Spot start the fire. Keep your pet away from matches and lighter fluid, which, if ingested, can be extremely irritating to the stomach, lungs and central nervous system.

As the sun sets on the Fourth, remember that fireworks are not a dog’s best friend. Dr. Pamela Reid, Vice President, ASPCA Animal Behavior Center, recommends that you keep your dog at home, instead of taking him to your neighborhood display. “He’ll be much happier at home listening to classical music,” says Dr. Reid. “Also, be sure to keep him inside, instead of in the backyard, since even the most timid dog can leap a six-foot fence if he’s scared enough.”

If your dog suddenly shows signs of distress from outside noise, “relocate to the basement or another quiet part of the house,” suggests Dr. Reid. “Or try giving him a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter. The persistent licking should calm his nerves.”

If you anticipate that your pet will be scared on the Fourth, talk to your vet. He may prescribe a mild sedative, which should be administered one hour before the festivities begin. Please read our other holiday tips, and have a safe and saucy Fourth of July!

Wilted Unicorn

This weekend, I worked with Robin Burkett of PawPrints Photography at the Fairfax Pets on Wheels Picnic in Springfield, Virginia. The dogs and cats were so much fun, but it was miserably hot.

Afterwards, I went to the Maryland Fairie Festival in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Unfortunately, the heat index was over 100F, so the resident unicorn was, though still magical, a bit wilted. There were scores of perspiring fae and greenmen , but it was still a poorly attended event compared to last year. Another problem was that the ATM machines broke just before the event began and the site is rather isolated. I felt really bad for the vendors.

Next year the festival will be one month earlier and hopefully the weather will be nicer.

You can see more images from the festival on my Flickr page.

Some Sweetie the Unicorn Facts:

• Sweetie the Unicorn is played by a 25 year old Arabian mare.
• She enjoys the attention she gets while dressed in her costume.
• Sweetie is very sweet and tolerant of everyone. She is not bothered by people dressed in crazy costumes with big, flappy wings.
• Sweetie's favorite snacks are apples, carrots and granola bars.
• She has her own magically decorated trailer.
• She has bright pink accessories for her equine nessessities.
• She is accompanied by her favorite yellow fairy whenever she does public appearances.

Fairfax Pets on Wheels Picnic

Today I will be at the Fairfax Pets on Wheels picnic in Springfield, VA assisting Robin Burkett of PawPrints Photography. We will be creating images for trading cards featuring the amazing dogs that participate in the Pets on Wheels programs. It should be a lot of fun, but it will be very hot.

www.rentphotobooths.com

These are test strips from the gigs I have done for a photobooth rental company based out of North Carolina. You can contact them at: www.rentphotobooths.com.

This past weekend the event was a wedding at Swan Harbor Farm in Havre de Grace, Maryland. It was a fun event and the weather couldn't have been more pleasant. The guests had a great time putting on the props that the bride & groom provided for the guests to wear in the photobooth. These props included: a plastic horned viking cap, two pairs of huge sunglasses, two feather boas (messy!), a pirate patch and earring, a tiny cowboy hat, and a plush moose hat.