Fireworks , ugh

I love them - at properly organised events only. I feel that only people with appropriate training, and thereafter being licensed to use them, and on limited days each year should be brought into effect, and the supermarkets banned from selling them to all and sundry.
I spent some weeks in the early 60's in what was termed a children's plastic surgery ward. Some of the children in there (not me), were there as a result of firework accidents. One girl, aged about 12 I think, had been in there for long periods since she was 5, having fallen into the family's bonfire, and been badly burned including her face and was having repeated operations to rebuild her lower face. I often wonder how she is.

Got one panting hyperventilating dog already - there can’t be too many fireworks as she has calmed down for now, but it doesn’t bode well

I've always been fortunate and had pets that weren't scared of fireworks (thunderstorms - well that's a different matter!)

But I've heard friends talk of using Thundershirts, which are supposed to keep animals calm.

Alternatively, and maybe a quick way for you to try this evening is wrapping them in a long length of fabric - a long scarf, maybe.

This website's a bit "busy" but there's a drawing showing how to wrap the animal. Might be worth a try

www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/9-gifts-to-get-your-dog-in-2020

I always made sure my children saw a firework display every year.
But personally I think they are the biggest waste of money ever. You might as well set fire to thousands of £50 notes. And people are sleeping on the streets, children going without food, poor people in some countries going without water, food, medical treatment. But the governments celebrate with fireworks every New Year.
I've seen the best while working in Hong Kong harbour district on New Years Eve. Still not impressed just a huge waste of public money. Lucky my dog doesn't bother about the noise tho.

It is not only animals that are effected, as Willow has already mentioned. My niece has profound learning difficulties and reacts so badly to fireworks, screaming, crying, throwing herself about and tearing her clothes. This goes on for hours. She cannot understand any explanations and her parents have tried all kinds of things to help her manage, without avail. When Bonfire Night goes on for many days, and birthday parties include fireworks, it is difficult to plan for these unexpected/spontaneous noise fests. No One sleeps . It is torture.

Trying to kid our dog that it’s ok and it’s on the television, he laid down again, but it won’t last. We’ve put in the plug thing.

Fireworks and thunder were the only noises we couldn’t socialise him with so he’s very frightened of both.

The depth charges have begun and the cats are going scatty.

Should be banned off the face of the earth! Hate them! Dangerous and too frightening for animals - get rid I say. There was a private members bill to ban them that went to the House of Commons a few years ago. Obviously it was overturned. Such a shame.

I ❤️ fireworks! It’s an occasional night of celebration so why not let people enjoy themselves if that’s what they want to do.

A waste of money some of you say? Maybe, as you say, "burning money". By the same token and your reasoning, you are peeing your expensive champagne down the drain (quietly) later!

We used to have 2 cocker spaniels and the noise never fazed them. Maybe because of their genes as gun dogs? Anyway they’d be lying there asleep on their sides completely oblivious.

A friend had an anxious dog so she used to get a mild sedative for him from the vet in advance of NYE. Sensible precaution and as the vet said, kinder for the animal.

Catterygirl

Used to own a boarding cattery in Spain, where they are fond of fireworks. We would check on the cats and none seemed particularly disturbed. We took the baby kittens indoors with us, all windows closed, being winter. Our own personal cats didn't notice at all. Cats need a calm owner/carer.

How ridiculous. Just because your pets have never experienced it doesn’t mean that others don’t.

I was enjoying an afternoon walk (3 o clock) with my border collie. The sun was shining and I was feeling almost happy! Then there were 3 or 4 almighty bangs! The dog bolted, with me in hot pursuit. Fortunately we weren't too far from home and he waited at the gate. So now I have a sore hamstring and a quivering dog who probably won't go out in the garden until tomorrow. While I was running there was a lady trying to pacify her little dog and a mum with a screaming toddler. Since then fireworks have been going off at regular intervals and its not even 6 o clock. Fireworks aren't really the problem, its the idiots that buy them and let them off randomly. We can handle Nov 5th. We can handle them at midnight tonight, but its all the time from the middle of October until well into January. So many on benefits here but hey......lets fire up some rockets. Beans on toast for dinner tomorrow kids.

Catterygirl

I lived in San Fernando, Trinidad with mum and dad in the sixties. Dad bought two police trained boxer dogs. Nothing and nobody frightened them and the Trinidadian people like to party big time. It's all about the owner. When we left Trinidad, the policeman was in a happy position to take them back. Such happy memories.

Nothing and nobody frightened them and the Trinidadian people like to party big time.

Of course not. Trained police boxer dogs?

It depends on the breed. I have owned 20+ dogs over the years

Only the one I have now is scared of fireworks. Tiny JR cross who actually believes she is a trained police dog.

And Trinidad. Gorgeous place! Went many years ago and had the time of my life.

I lived in San Fernando, Trinidad with mum and dad in the sixties. Dad bought two police trained boxer dogs. Nothing and nobody frightened them and the Trinidadian people like to party big time. It's all about the owner. When we left Trinidad, the policeman was in a happy position to take them back. Such happy memories.

Used to own a boarding cattery in Spain, where they are fond of fireworks. We would check on the cats and none seemed particularly disturbed. We took the baby kittens indoors with us, all windows closed, being winter. Our own personal cats didn't notice at all. Cats need a calm owner/carer.

Loathe fireworks. So inconsiderate. We never stay up for New Year, but of course we are dragged from our sleep by terrified pets and then spend the next day exhausted. I understand some people like them and I would be perfectly fine with silent ones, but otherwise I would like them banned except for 5 Nov before 11pm. If its one night only then we can plan for it and comfort the pets.

16:54
They've started.....

I was driving to the supermarket, and I noticed a place selling fireworks, the queue was from the shop up the road and round the corner. Will be noisy round here.
I have to say I am indifferent to them, I dont really care one way or the other, but I dont have animals though.

I love them but now am very aware of how they must frighten pets and wildlife. The morning after bonfire night this year a pony was found dead in it's field - they think it was scared to death. We have cats and have always made sure they were in although they seem to buy them earlier than ever now.

Our previous neighbour has PTSD having been in the forces so is terrified - she says if she knows there are going to be fireworks she can be prepared but when the explosions happen without warning she can't cope . I felt dreadful when I found out as we had a few fireworks last NYE for our little grandsons who had never seen them before - we did try to buy those that didn't make too much noise and husband had gone round to tell the neighbours what we were doing.

I hate them now, but I used to love them. Before I had dogs I used to have fireworks myself a few times at parties. I really didn’t understand then how they could terrify animals.

But now I hate them and I hate everyone who has them. My dogs get terrified and it’s very upsetting to see the terrible fear they have, all night, but especially around bonfire night when the fireworks go on for weeks before and after.

Hate the damn things. My dog has epilepsy and has had fits cos she gets so strung out with them. Waste of money that could probably be spent on better things for their family

I love fireworks. Always have. We have a lot where I live. My cat couldn't care less. I have never had a dog, but wonder how scared dogs react to other every day noises such as low helicopters going over, sirens, lawn mowers, loud cars, pressure washers etc. Do they react to these or is it only occasional fireworks that upset them?

For those whose dogs are frightened of fireworks - wrapping their heads keeps them calm. See this:
www.k9ofmine.com/diy-thundershirt/

I'm quite happy with proper displays

Took the children to see the Alton Towers display many times.

Also London. Fabulous to watch.

It's not the fireworks themselves that bother me. It's just the people who start letting them off at 6. All goes quiet. Then half and hour later someone else lets off a few. And we have hours of this with the dog going nuts.

Not a lover of fireworks either. I ended up in hospital as a child when a handheld firework came alight at both ends. I also feel for the poor animals. But I watched on tv the amazing display at Sydney Harbour as Australia saw 2021 in. These displays do seem to uplift us with hope for a better future.

Trendynannie6 Have to agree with you. Horrible things nowadays. Used to be organised events but now every second one seems to think they are a good thing to spend money on. For 05 November I still can't understand why we celebrate attempted murder as that is what it was. Can you imagine how celebrating the Brighton bombing, the Manchester bombings, Edinburgh Airport attack would be received, and these are just a few of horrific events. Blasting explosives is not fun.