Hardy's Dislikes

There are two things in this world that Hardy hated: the vet, and Fourth of July. I never did come up with a reason why, but I did try to desensitize him to both. All of my efforts, and they were extensive, didn’t work. Our vet, Dr. T., tried to help me with Hardy’s panic. He would give Hardy treats whenever we would visit. Hardy would spit out the treats. I had to bring something he really liked – dehydrated liver bites. Sometimes he wouldn’t eat them either. This was unusual for Hardy because he was well trained, and he liked earning treats. 

Dr. T was one of the first people I called after the attack. During our conversation, he mentioned a different client who had recently experienced the same thing, except the dog survived. He was sympathetic about our loss, and he made sure I understood that it wasn’t my fault. He also disclosed a little about the dog that had survived. He said it wasn’t going to be easy for the dog’s owner. The wounds were serious, and the dog would likely never be the same. He also told me that the owner was having a tough time caring for the little one. I wondered what type of personality scars the dog would have as well.

Fourth of July was a huge problem for Hardy. During the days surrounding the holiday, Hardy would be a little anxious. During the actual celebrations, he would become downright panicked. A couple of days before, I would find him shuddering in a closet or under my bed. I was keenly aware that Hardy had a problem with the 4th, so I would routinely go to a place with the fewest cracks and pops. This meant I would have to leave my town entirely.

The city where I live is ludicrous when it comes to fireworks. In fact, there is a lottery to discover exactly which non-profit group may sell the “safe and sane” fireworks on marketplace street corners. I have come to cringe at the thought of my hometown’s annual festivities, due to the over the top neighborhood displays. At least my sweet boy won’t have to suffer through another shrieking Piccolo Pete or illegal firecracker. I went to bed last night hearing the loud pop of a Cherry Bomb, which by the way is NOT a safe or sane firework. I believe safe and sane fireworks are gateway to the illegal ones, but that’s another story.

In memory of my darling Hardy, I’ve pasted the Fourth of July tips from the American Kennel Club’s website.

·    It is safer to keep your pets at home during Fourth of July celebrations instead of bringing him to your neighbor's party. Keep your pets in the house, rather than in your yard. He will be a lot happier indoors, and not tempted to leap over a fence to find you.
·    Dogs can be startled by the loud noise of fireworks. Once the festivities begin, keep your pet in a safe room where he can feel comfortable. If he is crate trained put him in his crate covered with a blanket to make him feel secure.
·    Block outside sights and sounds by lowering the blinds and turning on the television. Play soothing music in the background to counteract the cacophony during the "rockets' red glare.
·    If your pet seems overly anxious, spend some time with your pet, speaking soothingly to help them to relax.
·    Avoid scraps from the grill. While tempting to our pets, any sudden change to your pets' diet can cause stomach upset. In addition, some certain foods like onions, avocado, grapes and raisins can be toxic.
·    Human products can be dangerous to animals. Avoid spraying your pet with insect repellent and only use special sunscreen that is intended for animal use. Keep your pets away from matches and lighter fluid. They can be extremely irritating to the stomach, lungs and central nervous system, if ingested.
·    Should your dog get scared, escape and run away, help find him with microchip identification. Collars and tags can fall off so make sure you have permanent ID with a microchip…

For more information, click on: http://www.akc.org/press_center/july_4_tips.cfm