Around the Bluhmin’ Town

By

Judy Bluhm

Fireworks. Gunshots. Animals. The trifecta of a New Year’s Eve blast. Two weeks into 2025, and for some, the fallout still lingers. Fireworks are a fixture of celebration around the world, but our furry and feathered friends often don’t like thundering booms and crackling gunshots. Animals hear at a greater intensity than humans and they do not understand why there are sudden loud and frightening noises. Animal researchers state that over fifty percent of dogs are terrified of fireworks. And many humans are triggered by explosive sounds.

Horses are not fans of fireworks either. They are prey animals and often want to run, kick, snort, jump and hide when they hear explosive noises. We had a big brown mare named Angel who was calm and the matriarch of the barn. Other horses looked to her for direction and comfort. But on New Year’s Eve or Independence Day, Angel would go wild, kicking the stalls, pacing, neighing and rearing. The other horses would follow suit.

One crisp, starry night several years ago on New Year’s Eve, my husband, Doug and I went down to the barn once we could hear fireworks in the distance. We put on the radio, sat on lawn chairs in the breezeway and comforted the horses. I braided Angel’s mane. Even Roy, the rooster, got in on the act and crowed several times, indicating all was well with the world. Doug went up to the house on the ATV and came back down with a bottle of champagne and two glasses. Best New Year’s Eve ever.

We had a ranch dog named Bo who we found bleeding profusely in a bush on our property. Doug bandaged him up and took him to the veterinarian. We thought Bo had been attacked by coyotes, but he had been shot. He survived but during holidays when gunfire or fireworks erupted, we made a place for him in a bathtub and covered him with a blanket, then turned up the radio. It seemed to work.

Fireworks started an estimated 31,302 fires in 2023, including the burning of 3,504 structures. And New Year’s Eve 2024 was a busy night in Phoenix with 117 calls of fires. One fire chief says holidays plus fireworks are like one big dumpster fire! Police departments throughout the country implore residents to “stop firing guns” to celebrate.

Birds can be so afraid of the sudden booms of fireworks that they will fly into buildings, leave their nests, and fly higher and further than usual. Wild animals can bolt onto roadways causing accidents. Our dogs and cats may run away.

A heartbreaking statistic from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals claims one in five pets bolt and go missing on New Year’s Eve in our country. Sure, we love to celebrate. A New Year, big dreams, fun party. We need to try harder to protect our pets and wildlife. Chipping, leashing, hiding, comforting and holding may be in order to get our furry friends through the next round of celebrations. Because July 4 will be here in the blink of an eye. Or in the blast of a firecracker.

Judy Bluhm is a writer and a local realtor. Contact Judy at [email protected] or visit www.aroundthebluhmintown.com.