Fourth of July can be terrifying for pets

While we get a kick out of high-pitched screaming bottle rockets and thundering colorful explosions overhead during Independence Day celebrations, our pets are scared.

I had one dog, Zoey, a 40 pound Lab/pit mix, who would wedge herself behind the toilet during thunderstorms and when fireworks exploded. Calming the poor girl down took a long time.

But, some pets become so frightened, they'll run, anywhere, to escape the screeching and booming. As this news report says, this time of year can be busy for shelters with dogs that have run from their owners or their owner's property because they were frightened by fireworks.

So, this Independence Day, leave the dogs at home, inside, where they might feel a little bit safer, and where you KNOW they're safe.

BBQ, some foods pose health risks to pets

Like Yogi Bear, I was drawn to the following information because I saw the word "picnic" in my Google Alerts.

However, the story by WKRC in Cincinnati reminds us that what we grill with is hazardous to our pets, and we should take care to keep charcoal, lighter fluid, matches and even ash away from our cats and dogs http://www.local12.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/medical-edge-pet-poison-12518.shtml

It's easy to be a bit remiss when this summer feels so good after the brutal winter we experienced, especially with a cold beer in hand. We might even be a little careless about where we've placed our cooking material once the grill is going, so it's important to keep this report in mind. I'm always reminded to check harmful materials are out of the way because my dog Trout sometimes attempts sticking his nose in the charcoal ash in the ash catch plate.

Also, keep in mind, not everything we eat, even that which is good for us, is good for our dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals lists the following foods as poisonous to dogs:

Avocado
Bread dough
Chocolate
Alcohol
Grapes and raisins
Hops
Macadamia nuts
Onions
Garlic
Xylitol

You can find out why these foods are hazardous at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/foods-are-hazardous-dogs

ALIVE and Barking shines light on ALIVE Rescue community

Welcome to the ALIVE Rescue community! ALIVE and Barking provides news and features about the ALIVE Rescue community, which — don’t let the name fool you — includes cats. Here, you’ll find more information about ALIVE Rescue events, our projects, our goals, our volunteers and, of course, our animals, which we hope will become your animals. At ALIVE and Barking, you’ll also read tips and reminders for caring for your cats and dogs, you’ll find information on new laws pertaining to pets and changes to existing laws, sometimes you may find a humorous or touching anecdote about our four-legged friends, and much more.

To learn more about ALIVE Rescue, please visit http://www.aliverescue.org/about-us/about-alive-rescue/