The Leaf Chronicle - www.theleafchronicle.com - Clarksville, TN
  Welcome to The Leaf Chronicle Clarksville, TN Customer Service:   Subscribe Now | Place an Ad | Contact Us
  theleafchronicle.com   Weather   Jobs   Cars   Homes   Apartments   Shopping   Classifieds   Dating
7 days Archive    

Pet People

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Pop, Whiz, Bang! By Adrienne



With the 4th approaching so quickly we should take the time to think about our pets and how the festivities affect them. In our house Stella is my scardy cat. Anything that pops or makes a loud noise scares her and she tries to crawl onto someone lap. Not an easy task for a 120 lb dog. I make sure that everybody stays inside for the evening and I also give her Rescue Remedy. It's an all natural drop that helps calm her down. I put a few drop on her tongue and in about 30 minutes she is more relaxed. I also try to ignore the negative behavior. It's hard not to coddle her, but that only encourages her behavior.
Things to remember:
An animal's hearing is far more sensitive than a humans hearing. Keeping your pets indoors helps them feel protected. The sound of a TV or radio can help to keep them calm. Nothing frightens animals more than sudden loud noises and sharp explosions of fireworks. Animals have been known to jump fences, break windows or break their leash in a panic to “escape” the terror. It only takes a minute to check to make sure that the information on your pets collar is up to date. If your pets tag has fallen off, be sure to get a new one with updated information. If your pet has managed to escape they may have traveled farther than they normally would if they were frightened.
Hopefully none of us will have to worry about loosing a pet over the holiday weekend. I think we are a pretty responsible group and always thinking about our pets safety. So what are your plans for the holiday? I hope everyone has a fun, safe time. Above is a picture of one of our Goldens , Teddy, that has long pass on. He was TJ the ball hogs dad. I had dressed him up for a Cowboys Super Bowl game. (That should tell you how old the picture is. LOL!)

posted by Adrienne at 6/28/2007 01:10:00 PM

26 Comments:

Blogger Sandy said...

Great picture and post Adrienne! I love the cowboy look!

I was going to write my column about Independence Day fireworks this past Wednesday, but since the pet licensing proposal came up I felt compelled to write about that.

I am lucky in that my dogs and one cat don't seem to mind the sounds of fireworks, and since I live in the country we don't have as much of it thank God. Catfish is scared of thunder and always hides under the porch if he's outside or under the bed covers if he's inside, so he's the only one with issues.

I am totally amazed they even ALLOW fireworks to be shot in the city. It's asinine! You have a bunch of kids and other irresponsible people getting drunk, hitting other people's property and terrifying babies and pets. Cops run around like nuts. I guess it will have to take a major tragedy like a house fire or death before they'll stop the nonsense.

This will be my first fourth holiday in the news room, and I'm sure all night for a week we'll here the calls over the police scanner.

In Pa, fireworks are illegal. Only publically held shows are allowed. Of course, there are people who get them and shoot them illegally, but its a small amount compared to around here.

I feel sorry for all the poor dogs idiots have tied outside who can't get away from the madness.

Thursday, June 28, 2007 3:06:00 PM  
Blogger Adrienne said...

Personal fireworks are legal here. I was just on the county website to find out what was allowed and the list is 61 pages long. The isn't much of anything they have banned. Last year we were in our apartment and the complex wouldn't allow you to set any off unless you were at the park. We lived far enough from the park that it wasn't a problem. I'm not sure how it will be this year since we are in our new place and it seems that we have some very irresponsible neighbors. Some of them are already setting things off. Stella has been staying very close to us and wants on the bed every night. Tomorrow I'm going to the HOA and find out what the rules are about fireworks or someone will be paying for any damage Stella does to my house in a moment of terror over their stupidity.

Thursday, June 28, 2007 7:58:00 PM  
Blogger Pam said...

Sandy, it will take more than someones house buring down in Clarksville before they stop the fireworks because that happened to a friend of ours. We hadn't been here too long and he had just built a new house in Cunningham Farms acroos town, it was a new subdivison then so was 1988 or 89. Butch was in the Army and on a trip to Honduras when it happened. His new house was burned from a neighbors "fun" time with bottle rockets. The most tragic part was one of his cats died in the fire, ( he had ) it was awful!!!! It broke my heart! He had someone taking care of the house and cats but they weren't there at the time the bottle rocket hit. He also had a new car in his garage. So if a house being burned down and a animal killed isn't enough to stop the stupidity,would a person burning up in a fire caused by that really make difference? I doubt it.
And did all of you hear about those 5 boys in Nashville setting that poor poor precious dog on fire? They said on the news yesterday that one of them not only admitted to it but also laughed about it when confronted about it. That is just a sick kid and I mean phycho to the max, probably a future serial killer in the making and he'll probably end up doing community service tops. I'd like to set his butt on fire and the rest with him! I am so angry over this and hurting for that poor animal that they still ahven't found. All I cna think about is how it suffered without anything to help it's pain. It's probably dead or in horrible misery now. Everyone please pray for it!

Friday, June 29, 2007 12:03:00 PM  
Blogger Pam said...

P.S. meant to say Butch ahd two cats.

Friday, June 29, 2007 12:04:00 PM  
Blogger Skeeter said...

Adrienne, I love the picture of the Golden cowboy and post! Being born in Texas the Saint really enjoyed that one!

I cannot understand how someone can get enjoyment out of torturing an animal! I agree with you Pam that as time goes on, these idiots will do worse things in life. They cannot be plugged in right and need to be taken off the streets…

We are pretty lucky that fireworks have not been a real issue where we live. They use to be 100% illegal in our county (still cannot be sold in GA) but a few years ago, they decided to allow certain ones like sparklers and hand held things and small firecrackers. Uneducated people thought that meant all fireworks were then legal. Duh… The ding a lings next door went over the border into SC and bought some for the kids. As usual, they were not supervising their kids and when the sky rockets started coming into my yard, I made a quick phone call. I asked them to keep the fireworks out of my yard. They were quick to say that some of their guests had been in Iraq and were just celebrating. I said that is nice and I am grateful to them for their service to this country but flying fireworks are illegal and that fireworks were coming into our yard and we had a drought so please keep them in your yard. Within 2 minutes the fireworks stopped. I was nice with my tone of voice and even took a batch of cookies to them the next day to keep peace with our neighbors.

I resent that I had to be the bad guy and make the call and also to make the cookies but I try to do the right thing by my neighbors. I looked at it as another test in life… I am not sure what has gone on since as we have not been here on 4th of July but this year we will… Upon our return everything seems normal with the girls so I assume nothing has happened. My neighbors are slow but maybe they do learn. We will see come next Wednesday…

Friday, June 29, 2007 7:05:00 PM  
Blogger Daisylouu said...

Where is dragon???? That picture needs to be entered as evidence for dog abuse!!! I find it morally reprehensible that someone would allow their defenseless dog to dress in the attire of the Dallas Cowboys. Now if the same dog would be dressed in something green, perhaps with nice Philadelphia Eagles wings, it would be more acceptable.

Friday, June 29, 2007 7:36:00 PM  
Blogger Sandy said...

You play the dragon very nicely. That's exactly what he would say! LOL

Friday, June 29, 2007 8:23:00 PM  
Blogger Adrienne said...

I can't help it if the dog and I have taste in football teams. Your just sore that the Eagles loose to the Cowboys 90% of the time. HA! ;)

Friday, June 29, 2007 9:24:00 PM  
Blogger Daisylouu said...

Eh, actually I'm a Jets fan as my sister can attest; however, I'd certainly cheer for ANY team playing the Cowboys! I still contend that dog is NOT a happy camper! Where is DRAGON??????? He would agree with me!

Saturday, June 30, 2007 4:08:00 PM  
Blogger Sandy said...

I believe we all saw Bennie wearing the Micky Mouse ears. Who bought him those at Disney World? :)

Saturday, June 30, 2007 5:05:00 PM  
Blogger Pam said...

Well Adrienne, my take on Teddy's outfit is how cute! Now if he was rooting for basketball it wouldn't be as cute as if he were wearing Kentucky Wildcat attire since that is "The Team" but then that is my opinion and I do bleed bllue so each to thier own. Teddy did look pretty cool. Ignor what Daisy said, Sandy's right she was playing a Dragon hand,ha.

Saturday, June 30, 2007 10:39:00 PM  
Blogger dragon said...

Daisylouu, I’m glad to see you have returned from your exotic, tropical love nest of a vacation. Did you run into any Dragons during your excursions to the mystical islands? If so, please tell. I like to know how my foreign relations live.

When I first glanced at the picture, I actually thought it was a Dallas Cowboy player, hairy and ugly. Then when I read the posts, I realized it was just a dog. He would have been very cute without the silly clothes.

Yes, I agree that Adrienne’s photo of the poor helpless, humiliated dog would normally be a gross violation of S.A.F.E. (Save Animals From Embarrassment) regulations. However, since the precious pooch has passed on, and can no longer be forced to wear such disgusting attire, Adrienne is saved from official sanctions, and will not receive a formal cease and desist order. She should, however, take this as a warning, so that if anything like this happens in the future, she should be prepared to accept the consequences.

Down here in Tennessee, I will always root for whatever team is playing the Titans each week. I don’t care who they are. What a perfect example of what a football team should not be. They are a total embarrassment and a joke. However, if you want your children to grow up to be hoodlums, they provide the best role model in the country. We’ve had several shootings in north Clarksville recently, and my first thought was, “where is Pacman and his entourage??” All three shootings were only a few miles down the road from our local infamous “gentleman’s club”, the Cat West.

As far as rooting for a team other than the Titan’s opposition, I spent many years as a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Back when they were losers. I hung with them through thick and thin, year after year. Then they got stupid, to the point where I had to let them go. Even though I live in the South, I mainly root for teams that are from the north. Go figure. Such as The Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, the Patriots. Never will root for Dallas, sorry Adrienne, or for any team from that wasteland of California.

Yes, it is that time of year with fireworks and explosions. The old decrepit, sissy dog will have a tough time getting through the festive holiday season. It will probably be weeks before he fully recovers from the traumatic experience that he thinks exists. Damn sissy dog. Me and wifey poo used to disagree on how to handle him during times like this. I would not reinforce his bad behavior of being scared by the noise. It brought some tense moments between me and wifey poo. She thought he needed to be coddled. But, when he finally started getting better and not panicking so much, but seeking shelter in his safe place…..hold on to your hat---wifey poo realized that I was right! I was the one that implemented the tough love for our precious pooch with his psychological trauma. He still gets scared, and I still call him sissy dog, but now he goes and gets in his house and doesn’t slobber everywhere, or shake like a leaf, or try to get under your feet seeking comfort. I just hope that he doesn’t teach his younger sister to be scared of the noise.

Sunday, July 01, 2007 11:14:00 AM  
Blogger Adrienne said...

Well I guess I will continue to receive S.A.F.E violations b/c I dress everybody up for every Cowboys game ALL season.

I have been a Cowboys fan since I was very little. I am NOT a team deserter when they have hard times. Bad Dragon!

Remember that the Titan's were the the Houston Oilers first! HA!!!

Sunday, July 01, 2007 11:46:00 AM  
Blogger dragon said...

Adrienne, I was a Buccaneer fan through all the hard, lean years. But when they took a great man and great coach named Tony Dungy, and kicked him to the curb in favor of a punk like Jon Gruden, I walked away. That was the year Gruden took Dungy's team to the Super Bowl. I definately didn't desert them when they had hard times. Just the opposite. I could have stayed and enjoyed the glory, but I had principles, and the team did not. So, thanks for the compliment of calling me a Bad Dragon, but this time, I was not.

I know the Titans were the Houston Oilers first, and I wish they had remained in Texas. They were losers in Houston and a disgrace now. Tennessee/Nashville is hillbilly heaven. The city slicker Bud Adams came to Podunkville and made fools out of them all with the deal he got. One sweet deal for a bunch of losers. Maybe we are suffering from growing pains and didn't know how to handle contract negotiations with "the big boys". If there is any city out there that would like to take them off our hands, please do so. I'm sure they are up for the highest bidder. It's all about the money now days. There is no loyalty in pro sports anymore.

The old phrase, "if you build it, they will come" does not hold true. Just ask the Nashville Predators. Now there is, no, was a team. It irks me no end that Nashville could, right now, be the home of Lord Stanley's Cup, but the coach blew it in the playoffs! I don't want to get into details, but he played just the way the opposing teams wanted him to. He played their game all the way, not his game. Now here we sat with one of the absolute best hockey teams in the League, and we got nothing! People just don't realize that you really can grow ice indoors here in the south. Due to no recognition whatever by the Nashville sports media, no one outside of hockey fans like me even knew they were that good. Oh, by the way, anybody want to buy a has-been hockey team? They're for sale. Of course, most of the good players have been sent packing, so they will never again be as good as they were last season.

And, did you know, hockey is the only true athletic sport left? When was the last time you ice skated for three hours, in over 100 games a season?? It's a true team sport, it's not ME, ME, ME like the NBA or NFL.

Sunday, July 01, 2007 12:36:00 PM  
Blogger Daisylouu said...

Oh, Dragon, when you talk hockey you excite me! As a Flyers fan I'm old enough to remember them NOT wearing helmets, when the law was grandfathered and only the newbies had to wear them. Scary. If I was able to pick season tickets for one sport, it would be hockey which is ten times better in person than on TV compared to other sports which I enjoy on TV. I'm also glad to hear you like NFL teams from the North; however, please don't like any team in the AFC East other than the Jets. My ultimate dream is NOT dragon in a red thong, it would be dragon in a JETS thong!

As for the thunderstorm, I must say I'm with wifey poo on this one dragon. Dogs can't "reason" the loud noises they hear; therefore, their fear is very real. Since you can't "explain" it to them, you are merely left with comforting them. You don't have to go overboard, but a warm lap and secure hands make anyone feel better!

Oh, and Adrienne, the Jets are playing the NFC East this year, so my beloved Jets (who I loved through all the hard years, which is ALL of them) will be playing those Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 22nd. And I have an even better idea:

SANDY if you are reading this. Your baby sister would love for you to get her Jets tickets for my Christmas/Birthday gift...hell, I'll buy them myself, I just need a house to crash! The Jets will be in Tennessee on December 23rd (our Daddy's birthday) and I could come for a Christmas visit and GO TO THE GAME!!!!! J-E-T-S JETS! JETS! JETS!

Sunday, July 01, 2007 1:02:00 PM  
Blogger Pam said...

My times is agin limited so will try to be quickhere. Dragon, how do we know that Pacman wasn't at The Cat West? He is such a terrible role model and needs to be banned from football period cause he never learns his lesson.
I too am a Preds fan and hate to see them leave!
I am also like Daisylouu and Adrienne, a loyal fan to my teams. The Wilscats have been tops over and over but the last three years have played like crap! Just hope the new coach we got will do a good job and bring them back where they belong, on top!
And on the thunderstorms I too am with wifey poo, sorry but SHE is the one who is right no matter how well you ahve trained your poor scared doggie. Shame on you, you mean old Dragon you.

Sunday, July 01, 2007 1:55:00 PM  
Blogger dragon said...

Daisylouu, hockey is definitely an attendance event. TV does not by any means, covey the speed, power, agility, or sheer poetry in motion of the game. The first place I took wifey-poo to was a hockey game. I had to explain most of what was going on, and the rules. Wifey-poo caught on fast and is now proficient in the strategy of the games. At that time all we had was minor league hockey and they were a blast. I loved it when we had the Nashville Knights here, and you could afford to go to every game and sit on the front row. Not like now. I would have to sell wifey poo into bondage to afford to sit on the front row for the NHL.

Glad you are a Flyers fan. As you know, or should know, they were once located in Nashville. It was in the early sixties, and they were known as the Dixie Flyers. I do have some vague recollection of attending some of the games when I was a wee little tot. One of their old jerseys came up for sale on e-bay a while back, and someone wanted it a lot more than I did. I do still search for one.

I am now searching for a JETS thong in eager anticipation of your trip to Clarksville. I certainly hope December in Tennessee won’t be too cold for you to wear your Daisy Duke shorts. It will be like a heat wave compared to Pennsylvania. And don’t worry, I will keep you warm.

Monday, July 02, 2007 8:07:00 PM  
Blogger Daisylouu said...

I'm starting to pack. Shorts were the first thing in the suitcase.

Monday, July 02, 2007 8:12:00 PM  
Blogger Skeeter said...

I sure hope Guinevere is locked up in the dungeon and not reading this today! Gee, Dragon, you are surly dating yourself as an old Dragon here. But as long as you put that thong on a nice tight scaly tail, who cares right??? I will get the whip ready for our TN trip in December…

Monday, July 02, 2007 9:10:00 PM  
Blogger Guinevere said...

Tsk, tsk, tsk.....

Daisy, you really shouldn't tease the boy so. He'll be slobbering all over the pillows tonight.....

Skeeter, not you too!!! But, he does like that whip. He's such a bad Dragon. But, that's a good thing.....

Monday, July 02, 2007 9:12:00 PM  
Blogger Skeeter said...

Just how do you keep the Dragon on the ground with all this talk???

Tuesday, July 03, 2007 1:28:00 PM  
Blogger Guinevere said...

Oh, Skeeter, if only you knew......

He dreamed about his Daisylouu again last night. He CLAIMS he doesn't remember. But, I definately heard him say "don't worry about it, I'll take care of my Daisylouu".

Next, it'll be you and whips. Are you really coming in December too?? Lord, I may have to lock myself in the dungeon over that one!!!!!

Tuesday, July 03, 2007 1:48:00 PM  
Blogger Pam said...

I agree with Dragon on hockey being a attendance event. Maybe we could plan a get together for a game next season? That would be a lot of fun!

Friday, July 06, 2007 1:28:00 PM  
Blogger Skeeter said...

Yep, I am coming for Christmas this year. We revolve each year between the Saint's family and mine and this year the Tennessee gang gets us!!! I will be sure to bring my special whip with me so me and the old Dragon can "duke" it out!

Friday, July 06, 2007 1:39:00 PM  
Blogger Stacey said...

Skeeter, do they have minor league hockey down in your neck of the woods? We prefer going to those games than to the NHL. For one thing, you can sit on the glass for WELL UNDER $95, unlike at the Predators! Plus, they are so much fun to watch. Guys at the CHL or WCHL level play hockey because they love the game. They aren't getting paid millions of dollars a year.

We like to take road trips to go to minor league hockey games. We have driven to Indianapolis, Wichita (in the SNOW), Memphis, Shreveport (LA), and Huntsville. We usually take a trip to Memphis (really, Southhaven, Mississippi now) to watch the Riverkings a couple of times a season. There is a WONDERFUL B&B where we stay when we go.

But, I digress. Yes, hockey as a pet people gathering would be FUN!!!

Friday, July 06, 2007 2:21:00 PM  
Blogger Skeeter said...

Yes Stacey, We have the Augusta Lynx hockey team. We have never been to see a game (I have never been to a hockey game in my life) and I don’t keep up with hockey so I don’t have any idea if they are good or not.

We also have a minor baseball team called the Augusta Greenjackets. We go watch them play at times and they are a pretty good team. They are owned by Cal Ripkin Jr....

We also have a arena football team but I can’t think of their name right now. We have never been to see them play either...

Saturday, July 07, 2007 3:01:00 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home



Pet People

Sandy Britt, an animal welfare advocate and volunteer with Clarksville rescue organizations, takes care of three dogs: Zoe, Scooter and Peanut; two cats: Catfish and Tarzan; and one husband, Glen, and according to him she takes care of them in that order.
ADVERTISEMENT


ADVERTISEMENT

   Gannett.com   USATODAY.com Contact Us | Subscribe | Place an ad
Copyright ©2006 The Leaf Chronicle.
All rights reserved.
Users of this site agree to the
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
(Terms updated 7/20/05)
USAWEEKEND.COM   Gannett Foundation