28 Jun Second Chance: It’s Going to Get Loud… and Scary!
Second Chance Humane Society’s Animal Resource Center (SCHS) and Thrift Shops have been serving San Miguel, Ouray and Montrose Counties since 1994. The shelter is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday 11am – 5:30 pm. Community veterinary services are available by appointment.
View shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.
Go here for more options from Second Chance.
Dogs are just who they are … not sneaky or mysterious. They let you know if they’re happy, angry, or frightened. You just need to know how to understand what they are telling you. As fireworks start popping, burning, and whizzing, they really need you to understand, pay attention, and help them.
How does your dog tell you she’s frightened by the loud noises, flashes, and strange smells? Are his ears pinned back? Is she growling or whining? Is he shaking? Is her fur on end? Is your dog running away from you or being extra needy? Is he cowering under the furniture? Other physical signs of fear include excessive panting, pacing back and forth, drooling, shallow breathing, a furrowed brow, dilated pupils, and/or trembling.
So what can you do about it?
The best thing to do is to physically distance your dog from the noise. It’s a great time to go camping somewhere remote and quiet. If that’s not possible, try creating a safe spot for your pet like a basement, small bathroom, or even a closet where they can hunker down and feel safe.
Showing your dog love and support can help – feeding him treats, letting him snuggle up to you, and talking quietly to him to calm him. Distractions can help too. Play games, put the TV or stereo on loudly, even invite a calm dog friend over to play.
If your dog has severe anxiety, ask your vet about a sedative, or try CBD or lavender oil to help your pup get through this super-scary time of the year.
What if your dog gets frightened and runs away despite all of your best efforts? Statistics show that more dogs are lost over the 4th of July holiday than any other time of the year. This is one of the most distressing things for a family… a lost pet on the most dangerous of nights.
Dogs who are frightened by fireworks usually bolt and then hide. They may remain in hiding for several hours or several days. Dogs are safer in their hiding spots than running loose on the streets. He may come home on his own when it is quiet and he feels safer.
Of course, you want to start searching immediately. Alert neighbors, call animal control, leave word with local veterinarians and shelters, and post on every social media page you can (include good photos, the area where he went missing, and your contact information). Make flyers and distribute them around the area. Look under neighbor’s decks, in open sheds, under parked cars, and in bushes. Put out your dog’s favorite blanket, some food and water, and something that smells like you. (Check this pet column for tips to recover a lost dog.)
Athena
I’m Athena, a one- year-old Lab/Catahoula mix. I came in with my sister, who has been adopted. I’m house-trained, active, and love other dogs and people of all ages! Please come meet me!
AND… To continue the Second Chance Highlights section, we want to share the following:
Adopt One, Get One- Kittens!
Second Chance has so many kittens! We’d love to send as many babies home as possible. From now until July 2, we’re offering AOGO Kittens (Adopt One, Get One). Two are always better than one!
Adoption hours: 11-5:30 Wednesday – Sunday
Pet Ice Cream Social!
FREE frozen pup pops
at Sit… Stay…Shop!
Telluride’s Upscale Resale Emporium
July 4th 2023, 10 am to noon
335 W Colorado Ave
Pet pops courtesy of Chow Down.
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