Just a reminder...

As the New Year approaches, there are already fireworks going all around my neighborhood. My dogs, specially my black lab Joey, gets super scared. It breaks my heart to see him so frantic. I wish that fireworks would be suspended all together. But I know this is unrealistic, so instead I'm going to share a few tips that I follow with my pets scared of fireworks. 

First, I always make sure that my pets all pets are wearing well-fitted collars have and ID tags, some way that serves to ID them, because these loud noises can frighten dogs so much that they run off. 

I always bring my dogs inside on days that I know there'll be fireworks, like New Years or Fourth of July. I put them in their crates with a comfortable mattress and their favorite toys. 

Joey loves music, so I put some music on for them and shut the windows to drown out the noises outside. I dim the lights a bit or put a blanket over their crate (not completely covering it so they can still see their surroundings). I make sure they're in a comfortable environment.

Lastly, I don't reinforce their fear. Instead of making these fireworks noises feel like a big scary deal, I don't make a big fuss about it or coddle them. Instead I play with them like it's a regular day and keep them distracted. Animals, like dogs, can feel our emotions and will imitate them; if one is anxious our dog can also get anxious. So it's important for us to stay in control and calm. 

Only losers let Winners die

Humans are supposed to be intelligent species, but the longer I live, the more convinced I am that we can be quite the opposite. How is it not common sense that polar bears live in the cold?!!

Winner, a 14 year old polar bear housed in the Buenos Aires City Zoo has died. The reason? It’s hot!

Argentina, where it is now summer, has an average December to January temperature of 77-88 degrees Fahrenheit (but it can increase to as high as 113 degrees); since a polar bear “can overheat inprolonged exposure to temperatures above 50 degrees (Fahrenheit),” how is this not a factor that these supposed animal “experts” took into account when housing a polar bear in their zoo?

A press realease from the zoo apeared in The Buenos Aires Herald stating the following:

“With deep sadness we announce that early yesterday morning our polar bear died.

"He was beloved by the entire staff of the Buenos Aires City zoo.

"The cause of death following a necropsy was established as hyperthemia, which is influenced by the environment and by the bear’s own temperament.

"Unfortunately, as a consequence of the unusually high temperatures, along with fireworks from December 24th and the bear’s nervious temperament caused the bear’s death.”

Winner, who died on December 25th, isn't the only polar bear in captivity. His death reminds us that animals shouldn't be taken from their habitat. God made them free and part of our creation. It's not natural for them to be kept in small cages, rooms or contained. It is incredibly sad to see these losses that can so easily be prevented by letting the animals be. Animals are not meant for our entertainment. That's why my money will never go to a zoo, a circus or any other organization that exploits animals in such a way and I urge you, reader, to do the same...

 

 

Photo Courtesy of the Buenos Aires Herald