Hands on your head or on the trigger of your gun?

[lizblackdog]

*sigh* Firework season's in full swing here already. They went legally on sale on October 15th, and since then we haven't had a single night, weekday or weekend, rain or not, that someone in my neighbourhood hasn't been firing them off.

This is partly a British thing, and also partly an effect of living on this particular housing estate. Townsend has a rough reputation, with good reason. It's full of young twenty-somethings who are often drunk and often bored, and it's stuck right out on the edge of town so that they don't have anywhere to get drunk and bored except for the many public parks and bits of common ground. And the 24-hour supermarket where fireworks have gone on sale is a five-minute walk away.

I've been trying not to give Spike a melatonin tablet every single night, but I'm finding he needs one about five nights out of seven because the bangs just NEVER FUCKING STOP. Last night there were a lot of those whistly shrieky fireworks, and he needed Rescue Remedy and a massage as well.

I'm only resisting taking the damn tablets myself because I know Spike's going to need them all this autumn. Last week while I was out walking them, two of our charming local yoof thought it was funny to let off some firecrackers right across the road from us - deliberately, I mean, after having SEEN that I had dogs. And laughing at Spike jumping out of his skin. If they hadn't been on bicycles I think I might have beaten them to death on the spot. As it was I couldn't catch the little fuckheads.

In other news, on the way back from Big Park this morning, we encountered Downstairs Neighbour and his German Shepherd. I would like to announce to everyone in the world that Spike DID NOT BARK. The German Shepherd did, because Spike has gone "I KILL JOOO" at her so often in the past; but he only gave her a dirty look. I attribute it to last night's leftover melatonin in his system, but he got so much praise and sausage for it that I hope the habit may stick.

Also please note new icon. Someone made non-movie-watching me watch Four Brothers, and now I've gone all fangirly.

Comments

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

oh, poor spike. :( :( :(

please let me know when you're running low on the melatonin.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

He is still suffering, but it is a lot less bad with the tablets. We're so grateful.

And yes, I will. They're a lifesaver. I love you!

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

that's excellent. i love you, and spike, and squish!!

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

Also, NOT BARKING AT GSD. How awesome is that? Huh? I am so pleased with him!

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

THAT IS SO AWESOME!! :)

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

I have been trying to work with the leash-aggro problem. It's just awkward with two of them and just me, especially when they both go off. But Spike has his bad days and less bad days, and on the less bad days he's capable of being in sight of strange dogs and not exploding - and I do seize those opportunities for massive amounts of praise and reward.

[cottonmanifesto.livejournal.com]

oh boy, do i ever know what you mean. :(

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

Yeah... Squish has learned from Spike that barking at strange dogs is what we do. I can calm either one of them down. I have trouble calming them both down at once, though.

[beebarf.livejournal.com]

This year, none of the local shops seem to selling fireworks at all, and the only ones I've heard (briefly) were to celebrate Eid, which is fine.

The local shop has also banned for six weeks the sale of eggs, tomatoes and flour to under 18s.

Fortunately the piggles aren't frightened by fireworks, they sleep through them - as they do most things.

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

I may need to come and live with you. It's absolutely insane here; way worse than last year already. Some nights they start up before it's even fully dark; Spike and I are both going to be nervous wreckks before new Year at this rate.

[mandrakescreams.livejournal.com]

Spanish love fireworks too. It sets the dogs in the street off howling day and night because they don't seem to understand that fireworks are for nighttime. i sympathise!

Also Four brothers is ace! Such a cool film :)

[lizblackdog.livejournal.com]

It blew me away! I laughed till I choked and whooped with excitement and cried like a little girlie. So good!

I LOVE fireworks myself. But night after night after night while my poor dog trembles in the bathroom - it's just way way too much.