This 4th of July won’t be the same for Margaret and Chuck Hagopian, longtime residents of Norwood Park.
“We lost our cat Ranger, to a heart attack caused by people on the next block shooting off M-80’s on July 9, 2022,” Margaret wrote. “When an unexpected and sudden series of explosions rang out, our cat ran out of the room in overwhelming fear hiding under our bed only to die minutes later of a heart attack.”
I’d never heard of a cat having a heart attack, never mind one induced by fireworks. But there is no question that pets can find the loud noises of firecrackers terrifying.
 |
| Ranger |
“Some dogs and cats will have a fight-or-flight response to fireworks,” the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports. “This is a very real adrenaline rush, causing their blood pressure and heart rate to rise.”
That said, the risk of pets actually dying is “very unlikely — but not impossible,” according to one veterinary expert, who said an underlying condition, like damage from heartworm, is often a factor.
The Hagopians’ Ranger was only 12.
“Our cats notoriously lived to 20,” Margaret said.
They also noted that while once fireworks were confined to the Fourth of July or, at most, the evening before, lately some neighborhoods seem to have weeklong pyrotechnic festivals.
“Since when did July 4th become a season?” Margaret asked. “From late June throughout July, pet owners throughout the city deal with terrorized pets hiding in fear because of careless and thoughtless individuals launching these explosives well into the early hours of the morning. They’re loud and they go on forever.”
That said, the risk of pets actually dying is “very unlikely — but not impossible,” according to one veterinary expert, who said an underlying condition, like damage from heartworm, is often a factor.
The Hagopians’ Ranger was only 12.
“Our cats notoriously lived to 20,” Margaret said.
They also noted that while once fireworks were confined to the Fourth of July or, at most, the evening before, lately some neighborhoods seem to have weeklong pyrotechnic festivals.
“Since when did July 4th become a season?” Margaret asked. “From late June throughout July, pet owners throughout the city deal with terrorized pets hiding in fear because of careless and thoughtless individuals launching these explosives well into the early hours of the morning. They’re loud and they go on forever.”
To continue reading, click here.
You have a dog named Kitty?! What kind of an oxymoron are you?
ReplyDeleteWe've had her for 13 years. I believe that was one of the boys' doing.
DeleteYou are not alone. My sister had a dog named after Miss Kitty from Gunsmoke.
DeleteWhen I married my wife, she had a cat named Daugh. Short for Daugherty. (SG)
DeleteLet's be honest here. It isn't so much actual fireworks as it is M-80s and other noise-makers. And it isn't "people" blowing stuff up. Its 95% men suffering from severe arrested development. My dogs are gone now but my cat has spent two days hiding, and it isn't over yet.
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this story. You cannot reason with dogs and cats and horses, or any animal. Once an animal becomes sensitive to noises they can generalize thunder and/or fireworks to other sounds and soon you have an animal living in fear. This fireworks problem is just another indicator of how entitled and self-centered people have become.
ReplyDeleteOn Saturday, I was at a huge memorial BBQ for my wife's cousin, who died last winter. Gone all day. Yesterday my neighbor from across the street, whom I don't even know, showed me a picture of his shaggy old dog on his phone, and asked me if I'd seen her. Apparently spooked during fireworks.
ReplyDeleteSome years on this corner are noisier than others. This year is pretty quiet...so far. But it only takes ONE firecracker to scare a dog (or a cat) and to make it run and hide. The guy was so sad. More dogs and cats are lost on July 4th than on any other day of the year. Keep your pet inside until Wednesday!
The older I get, the more I hate July 4th fireworks. Not because of P-T-S-D...but because of P-E-T-S. I hate what happens to them. Also to some of the veterans in my neighborhood. But I readily admit to still loving the smell of gunpowder smoke in the evening. Reminds me of my kid days...and of throwing peach grenades. Stick a small firecracker into a rotten peach, light it, and throw it. Did anybody else ever do that? I think I might have invented it.
Down in South Carolina, they make it easier. Fireworks and peaches are sold at the same stands. South Carolina now produces more peaches than Georgia, which has been affected by climate change. Soon they may have to call Georgia the Peachless State. (SG)
Private illegal fireworks are a gender reveal party. On my street it goes on until August
ReplyDeleteMy daughter named her 70 pound rescue Chicken. It’s actually an homage to a grandfather who called the littles Chicken lips.
ReplyDeleteThere's something called a thunder shirt or thunder wrap that may help some dogs - cats, I don't know. You can buy them or make one yourself. I read an article somewhere that they do work in some cases. It's a wrap that goes around the dog's chest. You can search how to make one; there's probably some demos on Youtube. Wouldn't hurt to try.
ReplyDeletePeople who shoot off M-80s need to tortured.... slowly. Last year I was home on the 4th, and some asshole set off 4 fucking M-80s right in front of my house in maybe 15 seconds. I thought I would have a heart attack. You can actually feel the shock waves going thru your body. My cats are fine with regular fireworks and noise, but the M-80s terrify them. I'm terrified waiting for what's to come in next couple of nights.