FYI by Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori
Make the Fourth fear-free for your pet
The Fourth of July is the ultimate summer holiday, a celebration not only of America’s history and traditions, but also of family, food and fireworks fun.
But while we may love our pyrotechnics, pet lovers always need to remember our midsummer spectacular is no holiday for many of our animal companions.
While we humans are oohing and aahing, too often our pets are frightened out of their wits.They’ll spend the holiday under the bed (or in the basement) cowering, shaking, drooling, and seeking safety and comfort. Scared pets have been known to jump out of apartment windows, leap over or dig under fences, or chew their skin until it’s raw. They may also bolt out an open door to become lost but never found.
With the holiday at hand, make plans to ease the stress on your pet.
The Pet Buzz! by Dr. Marty Becker
Canine churchgoers: Opening the pews
- As churchgoers enter the sanctuary every Thursday at the Underwood Hills Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Neb., some may sniff their fellow parishioners. An occasional sharp note may even cause a woof to waft through the sanctuary. But this is forgiving audience: It’s full of dog lovers who join at least two other U.S. churches, in New York and near Boston, that allow dogs at regular weekly services
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Make plans now for a fear-free Fourth for your pet
This week’s Pet Connection offers advice for the Fourth of July, from our Dr. Marty Becker...







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