Independence Day is the worst holiday!  It defies all reason.  Why would anyone take an awesome holiday celebrated with cookouts and going to the beach, and ruin it with explosions and the sky raining fire?!  What are humans celebrating their independence from – their sanity?

Making this holiday even more confusing is the ironic fact that during thunderstorms Mom is the first to dive under the bed to hide.  Yet every 4th of July she’s next to Dad marveling at the war zone unfolding above their heads.  My parents are absolutely oblivious to the inherent dangers of the disorienting flashes of light, and clearly their sense of smell isn’t as acute as dogs if they don’t notice the air suddenly smells different.  Also don’t get me started on all that noise!  At least with thunderstorms dogs can prepare ourselves that the storm is coming with the changes in the weather.  Here we have no warning when the fireworks chaos will start.  But enough ranting, Asa and I are going to settle into my safe crate, and no amount of hot dogs are going to lure us out before July 5th.

[Editor’s Note: More pets go missing around the 4th of July than any other time of the year.  Please keep your dogs in a calm, escape-proof area of your home where they will feel safe, make sure their id tags are securely attached to their collars, and distract them with a favorite toy or treat.  Most importantly please do not feel guilty that you are not taking your dogs with you to enjoy the fireworks.  They don’t understand it is a celebration.]