In the wake of recent Diwali celebrations here, one is reminded of the frequent calls to ban fireworks at such times because of the widespread terror they generate among the various animals we have as house pets in Guyana.
My wife, Annette, recently posted another note about it, calling for a ban on these eruptions which are very traumatic for our house dogs, particularly our German Shepherd, Jet. In the course of the fireworks connected with the Diwali celebrations on Thursday, Jet went through a very traumatic episode. Terrified by the noise, which caused her heart to race at twice the normal rate, she was almost immobilised, and we had a scary time trying to calm her down. Thank God we were at home and could intervene.
I am taking this opportunity, through my SO IT GO column, to ask that serious consideration be given to banning these fireworks displays, particularly in inhabited areas where many people have animals as house pets, or to restricting them to only wide open or uninhabited spaces. Having them as we do now, often in residential lands, leads to some very scary experiences for our house pets. I was as terrified by Jet’s experience and the trauma was heart-rending and went on for a considerable time. I had to spend a lot of time holding her and trying to calm her tremors. I dread to think what Jet would have been subjected to if we had not been at home at the time of this display, which lasted for a long spell, and were unable to comfort and attend to her in her terrified state.
The animals we have in our care as house pets are totally dependent upon us to provide food, shelter, and attention for them, and I emphasise the word “totally”. If we find enjoyment in the fireworks displays, we should also take stock of what trauma they are for the house pets who depend on us to care and provide for them. My experience with Jet two days ago leaves me pleading with the powers that be in our government to either ban the displays in residential areas or permit them only in wide open uninhabited spaces where no household pets can be traumatised. It is painful beyond words to see an animal that brings so much joy and warmth in one’s life being frightened and traumatised to the point of paralysis, while we, the owners, can only try to comfort and console them, knowing that the fireworks noise is a recurring disturbance that will be repeated and terrify them some more. On behalf of the animals who cannot communicate with us, except to show the fear that has them virtually paralysed, this is a call to restrict these fireworks displays to open lands and to not have them close to residential areas where these animals are dramatically affected by the noise which almost paralyses them.
Our animals, as gifted as they are, are not able to communicate their fears to us; we have to read the signs they give us and to react on their behalf. They are animals in our care and we have to consistently care for them. They are totally at our mercy in this regard.
