A July 4th Message from Sequim Dog Park Pals

Nobody enjoys being told what to do, and that's certainly not our intention. We simply care about dogs, and every year around the Fourth of July we see the same heartbreaking pattern repeat itself.  You’re certainly free to ignore our suggestions.  We sincerely hope you won’t

More dogs go missing on the Fourth of July than on any other day of the year. That is just a fact. And most of them never make it home.  That is also a fact.

Dogs who have never left their yards suddenly become frightened by fireworks. A gate is left open by a well-meaning guest. A door isn't latched quite all the way. A terrified dog bolts, becomes disoriented, and doesn't know how to find home again. Some are injured. Some run out into traffic and are killed. Some are killed by equally disoriented wildlife.

A little preparation can make a tremendous difference.

• Make sure your dog's identification tags are current. If your dog doesn't wear a tag, now is a great time to get one. Petco in Sequim has a tag machine where you can make one yourself on the spot.

• Check that your dog's microchip registration has your current phone number and address. Many people move to Sequim from elsewhere and simply forget to update their information. It only takes a few minutes and could make all the difference.

• If your dog benefits from calming products such as calming chews, a ThunderShirt, or Rescue Remedy, don't wait until the evening of July 4th to introduce them. Give them time to become part of your dog's routine before the fireworks begin. Check Petco or Best Friends Nutrition. Amazon has Rescue Remedy.

• Bring outdoor pets inside before dusk. Leave a television or some gentle music on to help soften the sound of fireworks.

• If you're attending a fireworks display, please don't leave your dog in the car.

And finally...

Goodness gracious...if you're planning to set off fireworks in your own backyard, please take your canine family members into consideration...and everyone else's as well.

Fireworks don't stop at your property line.

They can frighten neighborhood dogs, cats, wildlife, livestock, and the many creatures that make Sequim such a remarkable place to live.

Celebrating Independence Day is wonderful.

Let's also celebrate the extraordinary diversity of life that surrounds us here in Sequim—with compassion, thoughtfulness, and care.

Our hope is simple:

May every dog spend the evening exactly where they belong...safe at home with the people who love them.

If your dog goes missing, we recommend you contact Pet Posse at 

360-775-.5154.   Also, consider posting on Next-Door, the community App through which many dogs and cats have found their way home.

Every July 5th, there is usually fireworks debris from the Carrie Blake Park display scattered throughout the dog park. Sequim Dog Park Pals volunteers come out early to collect as much of it as possible. If you happen to see any while you're visiting the park, we'd appreciate your help by tossing it into one of the trash receptacles.