Topic: FIREWORKS AND ANIMALS

[betula]

Please spare a thought for the animals.

If you are letting off fireworks please keep it short or better still go to an organised event.

Many animals are traumatised by the bangs...............my collie Jill literally shakes in fear.

[Froglegs]

I don't know why they don't just Ban them all together and just have organised events, some of the little horrors  don't have the brains to light a candle never mind a firework without getting hurt.

[asbean]

Here we go again.  One cat traumatised for a couple of weeks before, a couple of weeks after and at Christmas and New Year, and at other unpredictable times of the year.  We have to shut him in the airing cupboard, that's the only place he feels safe, behind all the towels and sheets etc.

The very loud, big fireworks shouldn't be available for home use, they are really only suitable for public displays.  Maybe there would be fewer injuries then.

[posie]

I use Bach Rescue Remedy for my two springies round about this time, it seems to calm down reasonably well.  If you want further info this is the link http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm

[twinkletoes]

froglets - you are right.....and did you read about the yobs who purposely directed a rocket at a woman and her young children because she reprimanded them about another firework they had let off which just missed them?  The fireworks available now are so much more powerful than the ones available when I was a child - and it is scary..........these fireworks are simply "legal" explosives as far as I am concerned.  People buy the big ones that should only be used in a very big open space/garden so that spectators can "safely" view from a long way off........but most gardens are not that big and spectators are simply too close (not to mention the proximity of neighbouring houses).  I wonder how much it costs in treatment alone in the hospitals for injuries caused by fireworks?    There, that's off my chest.....I'll be putting my soapbox away now.............
twinkletoes

[wilko]

I use Bach Rescue Remedy for my two springies round about this time, it seems to calm down reasonably well.  If you want further info this is the link http://www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm

What a great idea Posie  :)

where can I buy them ? as the site is American isn't it ?

and I'll need them asap....poor Max, one of my Borders suffers terribly  :(

[posie]

Well I have to be honest I just use the one I bought for myself from the local health food shop on my two.  Never bought the specific pet one.  Obviously it's down to the individual to check with the vet, particularly if the animal is on any medication.  I should image the larger chain stores such as Pets at Home etc would stock them or at least know where you can get them from.  If I find any stockists during course of the day I'll post them up here for you.

Edited to say.....I think from what I've read, the pets one has had the alcohol removed from it, the basic ingredients appear to be the same apart from that.

[Borlotti]

My poor dog hated them and used to dig up the carpet and try and crawl under it. My cat ('Baby' rescued from a farm) used to sit on the fence and watch them.  I agree they should be banned from sale apart from displays, luckily in north London this year it has not been too bad so far.  Tonight I will definately keep my stray cat in (well perhaps not a stray as we have had him for 8 years.)

[SamLouise]

I have mixed feelings on the topic of bonfire night.  I love it, it brings out the kid in me (my son is almost 23 but my husband and I still schlepp off to the local firework display every year, lol) I sympathise with people having pet problems, it must be so difficult but I don't agree with the whole banning of fireworks unless it's in a display.  Families are entitled to buy fireworks and have a lovely little firework night in their back garden.  My parents did it for us every year when we were growing up.  My neighbours are doing it right now.  Can't punish everybody for a few mindless acts IMO.  Perhaps the emphasis should fall on stores not willing to abide by the law in refusing the sale of said fireworks to underage people (perhaps their should be a Challenge 21 on fireworks?) because far too many of them don't abide by the laws.  I'd like to see only the big stores being able to sell them because they do abide by the law.  I don't agree that every tom, dick or harry can put them up for sale within their shop because this is what leads to trouble as all the chavsters get their mits on them and cause upset to others.     

[flossy]

   Living in a Uni area, we have had fireworks for some time now, the students just love 'em .

   Thats OK, live and let live I say, but last year we had some worrying  ' whooomphs '  that
    were obviously not your local Tesco ' family box '  type of firework.

    Think there are some scientists amongst them !!!

    Have no pets at present but do sympathise  --  our big soft German Shepherd used to
    tremble like a jelly  --   he would never enter our bedroom even if invited , but in a thunder storm
    or the 5th - he and I would tremble under our duvet together  --  but even my love could not
    console him!   
   
     floss xxx
   

[Flunky]

I have mixed feelings on the topic of bonfire night.  I love it, it brings out the kid in me (my son is almost 23 but my husband and I still schlepp off to the local firework display every year, lol) I sympathise with people having pet problems, it must be so difficult but I don't agree with the whole banning of fireworks unless it's in a display.  Families are entitled to buy fireworks and have a lovely little firework night in their back garden.  My parents did it for us every year when we were growing up.  My neighbours are doing it right now.  Can't punish everybody for a few mindless acts IMO.  Perhaps the emphasis should fall on stores not willing to abide by the law in refusing the sale of said fireworks to underage people (perhaps their should be a Challenge 21 on fireworks?) because far too many of them don't abide by the laws.  I'd like to see only the big stores being able to sell them because they do abide by the law.  I don't agree that every tom, dick or harry can put them up for sale within their shop because this is what leads to trouble as all the chavsters get their mits on them and cause upset to others.     

i think you used to have to have a licence to sell them. Dont see why i should not be able to let some off in my garden. As Samlouise says, dont see why yet again the majority should suffer at the hands of the few idiots. We as a family as i was growing up had one every year. Loved it. Still do.

[asbean]

I don't want to spoil anyone's fun, but the problem is that in the old days the fireworks were pretty weak compared with the huge ones nowadays.  They seem to have to be bigger and louder every year.  It wouldn't be so bad if it was limited to 5th november and a few other occasions, but we have neighbours who let them off - just one or two - at random times through the year.  It could happen at 3 a.m. or at 5 p.m..  So we never know when it is going to happen so we can't prepare.

My cat is safe in the cupboard, where he will stay till after the weekend  >:( >:( >:( >:(

[glosterwomble]

I'm trying to help my dog as we speak, he is TERRIFIED of the explosions, it's like trying to calm down a child it is so distressing for him. I wuld also ask that why are loads of differnent companies suddenly becoming firewrok specialists, CROCUS are now selling fireworks, aren't they a plant company?? I will now not use CROCUS.

[betula]

Some of them are like bombs going off.My mums little bungalow literally shook.

No way can this be compared to when we were kids.

My dogs are upset and frightened,

But yes people must have fun!!! >:( >:( >:(

[cornykev]

As others have said its not the fireworks we had as kids, they are more like ariel bombs and my three year old girl is terrified, never been a lover of them and I would support a ban except an organised display, sorry Sam I don't normally disagree with you but a family gathering in the garden days are gone, they are simply bombs not fireworks I used to know.  ;D ;D ;D

[SamLouise]

There have been fireworks going off where I live since I got home from work about three hours ago but not yet have I heard any coming in from Beirut.  Thing is, the MAJORITYof fireworks ARE still as they were when we were kids - I've been hearing them all evening.  Yes there are some humdingers and I agree they don't need to be let off in people's back gardens (they're too big for a domestic display anyway, surely?) but again, no need to try and spoil everyone's fun because of a few mindless selfish people.  As far as pets go - I've already said that I do sympathise but pets are said to be scared of fireworks whether they're sparklers or home guard specials.  It's an annual event and yes people should have their fun - it's not the end of the world. 

[Borlotti]

We had the best ever firework party years ago, as my grandchildren hate them and my animals hate them.  We just had soup, sausages and a bonfire, obviously kept the children away from the bonfire and had a 'no firework party'.  They just loved it.  My children are both struggling to pay a mortgage and to spend money on fireworks is just stupid.  Watched the fireworks out of the window tonight and the police have been very busy as one landed on the balcony of maisonettes and thought it had caused a fire.  The best firework display I saw was in summer at a yacting club near Bournemouth, where we sat outside and watched the fireworks from opposite the river, it was warm and lovely.  All this cold and rain and burning a guy does not appeal to me, although as a child we made a guy and burnt it. Didn't really understand what it all meant. Apart from tonight it has been very quiet and haven't had the horrible children that used to throw fireworks at my poor old dog in the street.  Poor Charlie (my cat) is desparate to go to the toilet but as he has never had a litter tray he is just crossing his legs, if it doesn't stop soon, will have to get the cat litter out of storage.

[manicscousers]

I used to like watching the organised firework displays on tv..staying in the warm, I love fireworks but the noise is getting seriously stupid now , the last one rattled the windows  :-\

[betula]

Try sitting with animals that are frightened.

You might not think its the end of the world but they do.

The time has come for these things to be kept out of peoples gardens >:(

[manicscousers]

I am sitting with a frightened animal, my dog doesn't like them  :(