I was surprised that Argos was completely unaffected by the fireworks, since he is pretty sensitive dog. So this is what it is like to have a dog who could care less about the barrage of noise. Sophie… notsomuch. I was caught a little off-guard this year, but we made it through using the Thundershirt.

Photo: Sophie catches up on her beauty rest after the 4th of July by Janet Tobiassen Crosby DVM

Bob Jagendorf on Flickr

I do love the celebration atmosphere. The noise… oye. That can be annoying. Maybe I am  just getting old or maybe it is because I have lived with noise-phobic dogs for so long. It is still a fun holiday though, and I am wishing you all fun and safe this holiday weekend! Leave the dogs inside.

More (lots more) info on my About.com Veterinary Medicine site here: fireworks and thunderstorms.

Don’t forget about dogs and summer heat – burnned pads, heatstroke, and noise. Be sure to check out the Hot Dog Checklist to keep your best friend safe this summer.

OK I gave up on doing something “fancy” with video for now. Here is a quick one of the new little guy, fascinated by Big Brother Barnie’s tail.

More to come as I get organized…

As we learned yesterday, Barnie was feeling a little left out. Someone has taken over his Invisi-Cat Shield. Just who is this new guy, and what do the other pets think about the situation?

First Argos.
He has actually shown the least interest, especially if it is nap time.

Next Sophie.
She is always the referee/nanny/babysitter. Remember when Barnie joined us?

So intense. Checking out the new guy.

Next, Greta
She has been a little cranky. I would say it is because she is 19 years old, but she has pretty much been this way her whole life. But we love her anyway.

And finally, Barnie!
The playmate he has been searching for. Maybe…?

So the new guy – still kind of nameless, but considering Quincy or Pete – is pretty cute. Warning… Cute overload:

As usual, summer has me going in too many directions at once. That, and my laptop decided that it was done doing wi-fi, so I have been working on that situation.

And well… a few new things have been happening in our lives.

We left off with Barnie cozy-ing up with Greta. Wow – this was a first! Some people suggested that it was because of the Cat Mat – that they couldn’t resist sharing the space. I would like to believe that, and there might be an element of truth, but… the real reason is below.

Barnie fills us in on getting squeezed out.

Barnie loves his Invisi-Cat Shield. Now it is being used by someone else.

Next update coming soon…!