As I write this, most people are out enjoying an evening on the town in celebration of the new year. In a matter of three hours, 2010 will be here. Obviously, I'm not one of those out on the town, I'm home with my 5 dogs. 

For many pet owners like myself, holiday times are rarely full of joy. Independence day and New Years are in fact, times we dread. As the skies light up with fireworks, our pets are quivering in fear, and we have to be there to comfort them. We run around the house turning on every television and radio to help drown out the chaos happening outdoors, hoping that our pets will not hear what is happening. 

Some of our pets react so badly to fireworks and thunderstorms that we even have prescriptions for sedatives for our animals. The sedatives will help take the edge off their fear, and make them a tad more comfortable.

Two years ago was my first Independence Day with my Miniature Schnauzer, "Joey". He was 7 years old, however I had only had him for a few months. His previous owner had cancer and could no longer care for him, so I took him in. Joey is one of the many dogs who is terrified of fireworks. Joey had become so upset over the battlefield-like noises outside, he became very ill. He was vomiting and had very loose stool The morning of July 4th, he began having blood in his vomit and I had to rush him into the emergency clinic. Joey was diagnosed with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, due to being upset over fireworks. I was given numerous medications for him, to be given every few hours for several days.

Thankfully, Joey came through. Many dogs die from hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. The following Independence Day I was prepared to comfort Joey more, and stayed up the entire night with him. He could not go outside to potty due to the fireworks, so he and the other dogs were carried to the basement to potty on the concrete floor. This is not something I enjoy having them do, but it was better than risking them becoming more terrified by the horrible noises outside.

So this evening, I declined all invitations to New Years parties. I am sitting on the couch with my dogs sound asleep next to me. They're happy, I'm happy, and it will hopefully be a decent night. Typically the neighborhood chaos begins at exactly midnight, and settles down around 1:00 am. This I can live with.