For some pets, Independance Day will not be a cause for celebration. We might love the fireworks, but remember they can send pets, especially dogs, into a state of real panic.

If you have already gone through this with your pet, then you will recognise the signs immediately: trembling, cowering, disorientation, and some dogs are so frightened they may do something drastic like jump out of a window, or over a fence that is too high.

Every year animal shelters deal with lost dogs and cats, so many have bolted from the usual safety of their homes.

There are common sense ways to try and reduce the anxiety for you and the stress for your pet: try to keep him or her inside as much as possible on the day, and even before and after for a few days if your pet is extremely worried by fireworks.

For useful tips on how you can avoid distress and keep your pet safe check this link from the Oregon Humane Society :

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/argus/index.ssf?/base/news/1213725095179830.xml&coll=6