My 13-year-old dog, Jakers, thinks the rockets’ red glare sucks.
He hates fireworks.

Because of the idiots in the neighborood setting off firecrackers and rockets, getting him out to relieve himself some days before and after the July Fourth holiday, especially in the evening, is just a trial. Going for a walk is out of the question.

I don’t advocate drugs for pets in a case like this except as a last resort and three summers ago, I reached my last resort. I asked my dog’s vet for some medication for him.

I just wanted Jakers to be able to get through these days without skulking from room to room or trembling and shaking behind the bathroom toilet. In essence, I wanted to make him more comfortable and I needed a breather from trying to console an inconsolable dog.

His “meds” did the trick. They don’t put him out, so to speak, but just calm him. Re-e-e-ally calm him.

Trying to keep your pet safe and comfortable during the Fourth is like most everything else in pet care, common sense and help from the vet.

If you tether your dog outside for a bit or let it out in the yard, stay out with it. Don’t leave it unattended.
If you have a cat that spends some time outside, get a litter box and keep it in for a few days around the Fourth. Kitty may be unhappy, but dealing with an unhappy kitty is better than the possible alternatives.

You can find more tips and dos and don’ts on the Humane Society’s Web site, www.hsus.org.

Even if you’re a seasoned pet owner, do yourself a favor and read the Web site. It may mention something you hadn’t thought of.

Hot weather has found its way here, finally, and with a vengeance. This information is out there every summer but bears repeating:

A dog cools itself by controlling body heat through their nose and tongue. They have “sweat” glands on their paws, but most excess heat leaves their body as they pant. Dogs can’t release heat through their bodies the same way humans do.

Hopefully, you don’t make a dog spend its days chained outside 24/7, but if you do, make sure (especially in the city) it has shelter, shade, and plenty of water available at all times. (I’ve had people complain to me that their outside dog keeps knocking its container of water over. Can these people not outwit their dog?) For outside dogs that have the freedom of a fenced yard, Lixit makes a product that attaches to the end of a garden hose or an outside faucet. The fixture will provide water for the dog, but will automatically shut off. PETCO sells it for about $11. Small price to pay to provide a dog with unlimited water on hot days.

Dogs that have a thick coat or long fur, might be more comfortable clipped down.

If your dog spends most of its time as a housepet, limit its time outside and consider its age. Just as we have a tougher time withstanding extreme weather as we get older, so do our pets.
If your pet is on medication, ask the pet’s vet if it can make a difference in the pet’s ability to handle heat.

If you have outside kitties, just make sure they have access to water. Keep a container of water on your porch or in a place where you know the cat will find it.

This can’t be stated too many times: Don’t take a pet along in the car to run errands, thinking you’ll only be a few minutes. Even with the windows rolled down a bit, a few minutes is all it takes for the inside of the car to become an oven. Leave the animal at home where it will be more comfortable anyway.

At the bottom of it all, use common sense. If you’re uncomfortably hot outside, probably your pet is too and more so. Take measures to ensure their comfort and safety.

Perhaps you heard about People for Ethical Treatment of Animals taking issue with President Obama swatting and killing a fly during an interview with John Harwood of CNBC.

PETA is sending Obama a Katcha Bug Humane Bug Catcher. Apparently, it somehow traps the fly so you can release it unharmed in the great outdoors. Bruce Friedrich, spokesperson for PETA, was quoted by MSNBC as stating, “We believe that people, where they can be compassionate, should be, for all animals.”

I like all animals and as long as flies leave me alone, I’ll leave flies alone. Flies do have their place in this world, but not buzzing around my food or in my home. I don’t apologize for that. They are nasty, filfthy things. If you don’t believe me, go to the Univeristy of Illinois Extension Web site (http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/champaign/homeowners/060831.html) and bring up Sandra Mason’s information on flies. Here is an excerpt:
“If house flies kept to garbage they would be a nuisance for sure, but these flies go a little further on the gross meter. House flies have mouthparts that work like a sponge; therefore they require liquid food. When they find something yummy that is not liquid such as your sandwich, they don’t let it stop them. They regurgitate their saliva on the food then proceed to use their sponge to soak up a meal. Unfortunately their saliva contains remnants of their last meal, which may have been at the local horse barn, garbage can or roadkill. This is your cue to yell “GROSS”. House flies have been linked to spreading all kinds of nasty diseases.”

Where do you draw the line? Should I not use topical flea medication on my dog because it kills fleas? Or give him heartworm medication because it prevents/kills heartworm and other types of worms?

Where does concern for health end and compassion begin?

I have shooed a fly out the window or door, but only when that was quicker than grabbing the flyswatter. When a fly bugs me, I kill it. I don’t apologize for that, either.

In this case, I think concern for a fly by PETA is overkill.

Mark your calendars:

The first Fur Ball sponsored by Partners for Pets will take place from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, June 27, at the Venice Social Club. All proceeds will benefit homeless animals.
The event will feature live music by Walk On, a silent auction, 50/50 drawing, door prizes and cash bar.
The cost is $20 per person, which includes a chicken dinner and draft beer.
For more information or to purchase tickets, calll (618) 346-3010.

According to an ASPCA e-mail I received today, the Environmental Protection Agency has reported a more than 50 percent increase in 2008 in “incidents” from cat flea and tick products and is now re-evaluating all spot-on products.

I’m assuming the word “incidents” means some type of unwarranted reaction the cat had from a flea product. And I’m not sure from reading the e-mail if the product is to blame or the lack of common sense on the part of the owner.

In the course of conversations, people have told me about their problems controlling fleas on their pets and then proceed to tell me how sick the pet got. The upshot is they were using no common sense when it came to flea treatment, using too much, more than one treatment the same time, or using the wrong product on the wrong pet. Dog products can be lethal for cats, for instance. When in doubt, read the directions.

However, it wouldn’t hurt for you feline fanciers out there to take a gander at the information. The ASPCA’s Web site is www.aspca.org. And if you still have questions, give the cat’s vet a call.

Many of us think our pets can’t be any more blessed than they are (or that we can’t be more blessed by having them around) but just in case, make a note of this date on your calendar:

A special Blessing of the Animals service will be held Saturday, June 13 (rain date June 20), at the Bethalto United Methodist Church, 240 E. Sherman Street.
The service will start at 10 a.m. on the church parking lot. All types of animals are welcome.
Pets need to be on a leash or caged until their time to be blessed.
For more information, contact Pastor Judy Miller at (618) 377-8008.

As a little background, several months ago I e-mailed The Telegraph newsroom staff and asked them to tell me a little about the pets they have. Periodically, I throw a blog out there to tell people about the Pets of The Telegraph

Jason, one of The Telegraph’s layout people, has two cats. (He also has a worm farm, though he wasn’t sure if the worms counted as pets.)
One of Jason’s cats, Alex, is a calico short hair. He acquired her through a former neighbor in University City. The neighbor is deceased now, but Jason states that at the time he adopted Alex, the person had “way too many cats.”

His other cat is Star, a longhaired gray and white kitty. She found herself living with Jason because she wasn’t getting along with one cat his parents had. Star apparently likes belly rubs and will roll over like a dog to get one.

In case you hadn’t seen the dynamic duo of Roscoe and Suryia, the blue tick hound and orangutan, on news reports, I thought I would share the story with you. They both live at The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (TIGERS) in Myrtle Beach, S.C., and have struck up an unusual and wonderful relationship.

I was searching for the best video Web site to share the story when I came across:
http://www.ohmidog.com/category/videos/

Not only are Roscoe and Suryia featured in a video but another video, the peeing Chihuahua, is there. I saw the Chihuahua on America’s Funniest Videos not too long ago, but it’s worth another look because it’s hilarious. Talk about the strange ways of animals.

I also really like cats and I started looking for a comparable Web site, which led me to this:

http://www.funnycatvideos.net

and this:

http://www.funnyanimalvideos.com

Animals are infinitely more entertaining than human beings could ever think of being.

I’m sure there’s a lot of people out there who are already aware of these Web sites, but for those of you who don’t have the time or inclination to go searching, enjoy.

And by the way,
The 5As Humane Society will hold an adoption from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at Farm and Home Supply, 2600 Homer Adams Parkway.
For more information, contact 5As at 466-3702.

FYI, mark your calendar for these two events:

The Newfoundland Club of America is holding a Draft Test hosted by the River King Newfoundland Club on Sunday, May 17, at Gordon Moore Community Park. Tests begin at 8 a.m.
Newfoundlands from Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconson will be working to earn their Draft Dog Titles.
The Newfoundland Club of America Draft Tests are a series of exercises designed to develop and demonstrate the natural abilities of purebred Newfoundland dogs. While working in a land-work capacity involving hauling, the dog and handler must demonstrate teamwork skills.
For more information, contact Rowens Kennel at (618) 372-3837.
and
From 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 6, (rain date June 13), the Alton Whisker Walk at Riverfront Park.
Sponsored by Hope Animal Rescue and Alton Parks and Recreation Department.
The event is a fundraiser for a dog park in Alton and Hope Rescue’s spay and neuter clinic.
Entertainment by the St. Louis Disc Dog Club and demonstrations by Alton Animal Control and Formea Animal Hospital.
Fun things to do: Game Walk, Pooper Scooper Putting Contest and more.
You don’t even have to have a dog to attend.
Find out more at www.altonwhiskerwalk.com.