Firecracker Season
Sadly it's upon us again. Last year Molly Maguire was still so tiny and young that she spent a great deal of time in my arms, often in a baby sack, and of course we were mostly indoors because I don't like the noise either. There are people around here that I know hardly have two nickles to rub together but over the space of a week or more they must set off hundreds of dollars of fireworks. Rage at the world, IMHO.
Anyway, at just six months now, of course Brigid had never heard any such foolishness. I'd been worried about her because she's at least twice as hyper as MM ever thought about being.
So there we were in the backyard around 10 p.m. when all hell broke loose. Looked and sounded like a war movie. MM squeezed in between my feet while I stood there, but she wasn't shaking at all. The wonder was Brigid! She took those screaming, bursting rockets as a direct assault on her pack, and every time one went off she'd charge the fence sounding like a mad chow on steroids. Absolutely vicious! Since both dogs are generally so ultra friendly I hadn't trusted either one totally to even bark if someone tried to come in the house; so I was more than thrilled to see Brigid's furious response to something she didn't approve. It pleased me enormously, since I'd really prefer to have an intruder scared off or at least enough noise made to alert me, because God help him if I'm awake and cornered. Now I won't worry. Brigid was so magnificent that I waited almost a half hour before going back indoors last night, and missed the late news. She got an extra bedtime snack for her performance, too. She kept growling her savage worst at the outdoor noise about half an hour til it stopped. (She probably thinks it stopped because of her!)
= new reply since forum marked as read
People just want to have fun. 
With that said, it is true that some folks go way overboard, and many start setting off fireworks too many days in advance of the 4th, and some carry on too late at night with the bangs and booms.
My cat is terrified of strangers, loud noises, etc. She has been that way since the first day I brought her home after adopting her from our county animal control.
I have been working with giving her Bach Flower remedies in her food for several months now. It seems to help her feel a little calmer and more courageous.
The best one to use before, during, and after traumatic events is Rescue Remedy. It can be purchased in natural foods stores, and probably online.
Another thing I have read that can be helpful to dogs is called a Thundershirt. Many people have posted testimonials about these helping their dogs to be calmer during both thunderstorms and during the 4th of July fireworks celebrations.
Sounds like one of your dogs will be providing counterpoint (protection barking) during this years 4th of July booms and bangs. 
to your dogs (and you) during this noisy, nerve wracking time of celebration.
I try to think about the purpose the Chinese invented fire-works for: scaring away evil spirits and the bad vibes they bring. Sure would be nice if the booms/bangs could scare away the Ism-brothers and Phobia sister: sexism, racism, classism, ageism, homophobia, heterophobia...and maybe poverty, injustice, war and eco-destruction. 
what a great idea. I will have to try that this year. 
I always keep my cat inside on the 4th, because I sure don't want her running off in a panic. I live on a side street, but a major busy one is only one block away, and people drive through here way too fast. 
